Halloween on Main beckons ghosts, goblins, princesses and pirates
MADISON – On Oct. 31, “Halloween on Main” will feature frightful and frivolous costumes, a masquerade parade and a showing of “Hocus Pocus.”
These ghosts dancing around a campfire will be part of the fun for Halloween on Main in downtown Madison. (RECORD PHOTO/GREGG PARKER)
Main Street storeowners will greet trick-or-treaters from 5 to 7 p.m. “We want area children to celebrate Halloween where they can have fun and feel safe, too,” Gayle Milam said. Milam is the city’s special event coordinator.
“We’ve added so much more this year,” Milam said. “We’ve created a friendly event for the entire family to enjoy. The city, downtown merchants and area businesses have created a night full of trick-or-treating, games, an outdoor movie and even a little scare.”
Games will include Lollipop Tree, Candy Corn Bowling, Zombie Catch, Gone Fishing, Black-Cat Beanbag Toss, Halloween Can Toss, Football Toss and Bobbin’ Apples. Bananas, Whistlestop Sweet Shop, Madison Station Antiques and Opie Balch Realty will join the fun.
In front of Bandito Burrito, the Haunted Tunnel will feature phantom props and characters popping in and out. Sponsors as Madison Parks and Recreation and Madison Fire and Rescue departments.
At 6:30 p.m., the costume parade will start at Cotton Gin Boutique and circle down to Main Street. Masqueraders can register at the Madison Chamber of Commerce booth at Wise Street from 5 to 6:15 p.m.
Children’s costumes will be judged as “Most Original,” “Funniest,” “Scariest” and “Overall Best.” Winners will receive a prize box with Halloween goodies and a ribbon.
“Adults will be judged for ‘Best Group’ and ‘Best Couple,'” Milam said. Winners will receive a three-month membership to Dublin Park and ribbons.
Following contest awards around 7 p.m., everyone can gather for an outdoor showing of “Hocus Pocus” outside Clay House at 16 Main St. with Studio 106 and Apollo Limousine Service. “We’ll have hay bales and blankets on the ground for folks to sit on,” Milam said.
Popcorn and soft drinks will be sold, with proceeds benefiting a local high school band.
On Oct. 31, Main Street will close traffic at 3 p.m. for setup. For more information, call 256-772-9300.
