The Avenues of Hattiesburg’s third annual Halloween Parade will kick off at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. (Photo: American file photo )
With the Avenues of Hattiesburg's third annual Halloween Parade less than a week away, organizers say they are anticipating a large crowd and plenty of candy come Thursday.
"People are starting to recognize it as one of the parades that are going to happen every year," Avenues Alliance member Staci Cox said. "I think the growth in the crowd speaks to that, too."
Cox said not much has changed about the layout of this year's parade. It will travel down Hardy Street, starting at 25th Avenue at Parkway Heights and ending at 17th Avenue at the Hattiesburg Zoo.
About 25-30 floats are expected to take part — and the Avenues Alliance will continue to accept parade registrations until Wednesday at http://ift.tt/1pWsV2E.
This year, University of Southern Mississippi President Rodney Bennett has been named as the parade's "Grand Reaper." Bennett will be joined by the parade's "Pumpkin Queen," Shelley Brown, an Oaks resident and owner of Brown's Home Furnishings.
"We are excited about the addition of Shelley and Dr. Bennett to Hattiesburg's third Halloween Parade," Avenues Alliance President Brandon Thaxton said in a news release. "Both are recognizable leaders and personalities in our city. They represent the energy and talent that Hattiesburg offers."
Whether they are parade experts or first-time throwers, Cox said she and fellow alliance members are reminding people there's no such thing as too much candy.
"People at the ends are running dry," she said. "If we receive any complaints, it's that. So, every year we encourage people that, 'You cannot have enough candy or throws in this parade.'"
Cox said the parade's lineup will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the parking lot next to Parkway Heights, with the parade set to start rolling at 6:30 p.m.
Residents looking to find a good place to park and set up for the event should plan to arrive early before the street is shut down.
"It's amazing all the people who crowd on Hardy Street and get excited for this," Cox said.
And the Halloween fun doesn't end with the parade.
"After the parade, visit the zoo because they have ZooBoo that is going on right now," Cox said. "It's a great event to continue the Halloween spirit."
Trick-or-treat hours
• Petal: 5-8 p.m. Thursday
• Hattiesburg: 4-6 p.m. Friday
• Purvis: 4-6 p.m. Friday
• Sumrall: 5-8 p.m. Friday
• Lumberton: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday
• Forrest County and Lamar County officials did not set Halloween hours.
Trick-or-treat safety tips
• Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
• Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
• Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.
• Always walk and don't run from house to house.
• Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
• Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
• Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls.
• Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Never accept rides from strangers.
• Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.
• Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them.
Source: City of Hattiesburg
Read or Share this story: http://hatne.ws/1tSkmwT
No comments:
Post a Comment