Too old to trick-or-treat, too young to just sit at home passing out candywhat is a Bearkat to do? This Halloween many Huntsville area businesses are out to ensure SHSU students their share of chills and thrills by offering everything from haunted houses to fun-filled costume contests.For those in search of a Halloween scare, Bearkats can visit the Haunted Hay Ride being held at the Two Texans Truck Wash located off of Exit 118 on Interstate 45 North. “The truck wash has about four acres of woods behind it, and I thought it would be the perfect setting for a scary hay ride,” Judi Griffith, coordinator for the event, said. “We’ve set up the hay ride area with scary stuff from movies like ‘Scream’ and the ‘Halloween’ series with Michael Myers. Everyone who comes will recognize music and characters from their favorite horror movie classics.”According to Griffith, the event will also feature a bonfire, gypsy fortune tellers and concession stands with food and hot chocolate. Tickets for the Haunted Hay Ride are $7. All proceeds from ticket and concession sales will benefit the Red Cross to aid in recovery from the Sept.11 attacks.Times for the event are loosely scheduled depending on turnout.”We will start at approximately 7 p.m. or whenever it gets dark,” Griffith said. “We’ll keep giving hay rides until around midnight, but we will keep it going longer if people want us to.”In addition to the Haunted Hay Ride, local nightclubs will also hold Halloween events and feature costume contests for cash prizes and trophies. According to owner Ed Garza, Quarters Night Club will hold a Halloween party and costume contest sponsored by two SHSU fraternities. “Sigma Tau Gamma and the Phi Delts are having the party and costume contest and will award trophies to the winners,” Garza said. “Anyone is welcome to come. It’s going to be a really great time.”Garza said entrance to the event will cost $4 for those under 21 and $3 for people 21 and up. Anyone who wears a costume will be admitted free.Garza said he expects a large crowd at the event.”We’ve done this in the past and always had a huge crowd,” he said. “We’ve already had a lot of calls and seen a lot of interest in this year’s party. We should have a huge turnout.”The Jolly Fox will also hold a Halloween Costume Contest Wednesday and will award a $500 prize for the best overall costume of the night.Manager Jeremy Jones said the event will begin at approximately 8 p.m. and that he is confident the club will be packed.”We got a good turnout last year and we expect an even better one this year,” Jones said. “It is definitely the best place to be in town.”Jones says he knows why the Fox offers the best option for Halloween fun in Huntsville.”We have absolutely the best bartenders in town, no contest,” Jones said. “We will also have 50 cent well drinks. What more can you ask for?”For a more family oriented good time, Huntsville Main Street will sponsor the First Annual Halloween “Scare on the Square” celebration in downtown Huntsville. The event will feature a costume parade, pumpkin painting, games and activities sponsored by such organizations as the local YMCA, city Parks and Recreation Department, Huntsville Police and Fire Departments and more.Local vendors will also provide free pizza to attendees and Pepsi will be on hand with free soft drinks.”We felt there was a great need for more Halloween activities in Huntsville, and we wanted to do something that would be fun and also involve many different city organizations,” said Shawn Lewis, Huntsville Main Street coordinator. “This is the first time a Halloween event of this magnitude has been done in downtown Huntsville.”Even more Halloween events are scheduled including a party at Shenanigans and many holiday gatherings sponsored by several campus organizations.With so many events scheduled for the holiday, Bearkats should have no trouble finding fun and fear this Halloween. It just goes to show, you’re never too old to put on a costume and just have a good time.
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