Family fun coming with Oct. 24 H.O.O.T.

By Sherry Lucas

     Familiar haunts in Clinton get a frightfully fun edge Thursday, October 24, as Lions Club Park again becomes the site for The Haunting of Old Towne (H.O.O.T.), the City of Clinton’s annual family-friendly Halloween festival, planned for 6 until 8 p.m.

     Scheduled a week before the actual holiday, so as not to interfere with neighborhood trick-or-treat traditions, the event now attracts hundreds to the park for a festive community get-together.

     The longstanding tradition started in 2002 on Olde Towne’s brick streets, geared toward families. It moved to Lions Club Park in 2019. There, the layout, with playgrounds in the middle, a walkway and more secluded area, opened the way for a bigger event.

     “It just seemed like there was more opportunity to put decorations around the park and really light it up and have fun with it,” said Clinton Parks and Recreation Director Courtney Nunn. “When you’re right downtown, you can’t decorate people’s businesses.”

     The free event brings a fun chance to show off costume creativity and play games.

     “We have costume contests, and we have a cake walk. Treat Street is a new thing — we’re allowing organizations and businesses to set up — like Trunk or Treat, but without the cars — and have a 10-by-10-foot site,” to connect with community members. That opportunity to set up a booth is open to the first fifteen people who email Kari Eli at keli@clintonms.org to sign up.

     Other activities include several inflatables. a haunted tunnel, obstacle courses, a photo booth and carnival games. Belhaven University’s softball team members come to help out as volunteers to run the games and give out candy. Turner the Train will be making loops around town so riders can take in some of the Olde Towne decor, such as the skeletons out front at City Hall.

     The park’s caterpillar gets in on the costume action, too, dressed up as Dracula one year, and as a mummy at last year’s outing. Show up to find out what creepy creature he’ll be impersonating this year.

     “We try to add new things every year — new decorations, new activities,” Nunn said. “Initially, it was just games downtown, and there wasn’t a whole lot to it. But, bringing it over to Lions Club Park, we were able to amplify all the decorations.”

     “We just light up Lions Club and let the kids have fun,” she said, with hundreds joining in the Haunting. “It’s usually a packed park.”

     Olde Towne Depot will set up photo stations with dressed characters for families to take their photos with, for a fun memento. Rapunzel and Black Panther were on hand last year. This October, keep an eye out for Bluey, Cinderella and Spiderman.

     “We will also have lots of candy and glow items for children,” said Olde Towne Depot Manager Ashley Hammack. “Families are invited to walk over from the park to take photos and stock up on candy!”

2024 Fall Festivals

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24

     The Haunting of Olde Towne (also known as HOOT) will be held at Lions Club Park from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. with fun that includes cake walks, costume contests for kids, bounce houses and carnival-style games. In addition, special guests will be available for taking photos at the Olde Towne Depot.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25

     Main Street Clinton will host Dinner and a Movie on the brick streets of Olde Towne, with a showing of The Wizard of Oz, planned to begin at dusk.  Local Olde Towne restaurants and food vendors will have food available. Attendees are asked to bring their own chairs or blankets for seating, which is first-come, first pick. Admission is free. For more information, call the Main Street Clinton office at 601-924-5472.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26

     Howl-o-ween at the Clinton Bark Park will start at 10 a.m. All humans and leashed pets are invited, and dog-loving Clintonians are invited to dress up their dogs – and themselves – for a costume contest and doggie trick-or-treats. The costume contest will include categories and prizes for small, medium, large and people/pet combo. Judging will begin promptly at 10:15 a.m. The Bark Park is located at 913 Old Vicksburg Road.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27

     Our Redeemer Lutheran Church will have a Trunk or Treat from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. at their location at 1799 Clinton Raymond Road. Children of all ages are encouraged to come in costume, and there will be a bounce castle, carnival games and food. Admission is free. Call Julianna at 601-720-4578 for more details.

     Northside Baptist Church will have a Halloween Carnival at 4 p.m. at their location at 1475 East Northside Drive. For more information, call 601-924-4555.

     First Baptist Church Clinton is planning their Fall Festival, with a theme of “Around the World.” From 4 to 6 p.m., the church will offer free trunk or treat, inflatables, games and music. There will be food truck dining options available for purchase. The church is located at 100 College Street.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28

     Clinton’s Living Young (ages 50+) group will have a showing of Hocus Pocus at 1:30 p.m. The free event will include popcorn and will be at the Wood Activity Center at 111 Clinton Boulevard.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29

     The Quisenberry Library will hold a Fall Festival that will include a showing of the movie Hotel Transylvania, as well as face painting, caramel apple-dipping classes, popcorn and drinks. The family event is free and will start at 3:30 p.m. The library is located at 605 East Northside Drive. For more information, call the library at 601-924-5684

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30

     Clinton Methodist Church will host a Trunk or Treat from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. in their Family Life Building at 100 Mt. Salus Road. Children and enjoy games, candy and fun, and costumes are welcome. For more information, call Lauren or Nikki at 601-924-6671.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31

     Clinton’s Living Young (ages 50+) group will gather at the Wood Activity Center to show off their most creative costumes at the morning Chairobics at 11 a.m.  Costume judging will be at 11:45 a.m. The Wood Activity Center is located at 111 Clinton Boulevard.

     Morrison Heights Baptist Church will hold their annual Fall Harvest event from 6 until 8 p.m. at the church’s campus at 3000 Hampstead Boulevard. The event, which has free admission, will feature food trucks, carnival games, activities for children of all ages, and lots of free candy.