Hot Springs Halloween activities take over town for a night of scares
HOT SPRINGS – The Hot Springs Artist’s Society is holding their annual Halloween events in Hot Springs on Halloween night.
Events for the evening will include a ghost walk down Main Street and end with a costume contest at the senior center.
The ghost walk is a fun event for all of the children of Hot Springs to take part in. The Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce puts on the event for everyone to enjoy.
“We decorate Main Street and business owners dress up in costumes,” said Symes owner and Chamber President Leslee Smith. “They pass out candy and the kids really like it.”
The ghost walk has been an annual event in Hot Springs for at least a decade. It has become one of the favored traditions of the town. At the conclusion of the ghost walk, the costume contest will begin at the senior center starting at 7:30 p.m.
“We serve cupcakes and cider to all the kids,” Smith said. “Then we give out prizes in different categories and age groups. We have things like scariest costume and cutest costume, it’s really a lot of fun.”
The costume contest does not have an age restriction so older children can get involved to win a cash prize. All who participate will be receiving a prize.
For those who want added fun, during the ghost walk, children may also participate in trick or treating games at Hot Springs Health & Rehab from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
The late end time leaves the perfect chance for those brave enough to attend the Symes Hotel Haunted Halls of Horror. The Symes will undergo changes for scares on Halloween.
“We are going to decorate the upstairs north wing of the hotel,” Smith said. “We are going to have special scares in different rooms. We have to start it after dark. If we didn’t, it just would be as scary.”
Parents can feel safe knowing their children are going to be escorted on the ghost walk through town and are encouraged to participate in the Hallway of Horrors.
Everyone in the community is invited to attend the free event.
For those who don’t want the holiday to end, the Symes will be hosting their annual Voodoo Horsehoes on Saturday, November 2.
“We have the event every year and we get people from all over to come,” Smith said. “People travel over from as far as Seattle and have some of the strangest costumes.”
It gives those in love with the holiday a chance to display their costumes one last time to win prizes.
“We give out prizes for the best costume and most original costume,” Smith said. “It is always a lot of fun to see what people come up with.”
Halloween is a special time of year where the weird get weirder and the fun can get strange. Smith feels it is the best time of the year and a time where everyone can have a good time.
“It should be a romping weekend,” Smith said. “But good, safe fun for everyone.”