Main Street Fayette, a local nonprofit dedicated to creating a welcoming family environment in downtown Washington Court House, will be bringing a new event for Halloween in just a few weeks.
On the last Saturday of October, Main Street Fayette will hold the first “Scare on the Square” festival.
Beginning the festivities will be a haunted house — named the “Scare the Yell out of You” haunted house — that will begin on Thursday, Oct. 25 at 131 E. Court St. from 8 to 11 p.m. The house will open again on Friday, Oct. 26 at the same time, and finally on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 5 to 6 p.m. a kid friendly version will be held prior to the regular opening from 6 to 11 p.m. Admission for the haunted house is $3 for both adults and kids.
Also during these three days, pumpkins that were donated to the local first through fifth grade classrooms at both Miami Trace Local Schools and Washington Court House City Schools will be carved and put on display. Event organizer and vice president of Main Street Fayette, Kendra Hernandez, said they are encouraging all businesses downtown to have their jack-o-lanterns out and lit those days so the community can see them as they drive through the downtown area.
“Both schools have been really cooperative and are trying to participate in the event, so we are excited about that and it makes it more community-friendly,” Hernandez said.
The main event, Scare on the Square, will be held from 1 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27. A whole day of events have been planned that are either low cost or free. The first main event will be the Pet Parade, sponsored in part by the Fayette Regional Humane Society and JMI Pet Supply, from 1 to 2 p.m. starting at the Washington Fire Department and ending on the courthouse lawn. This event is a chance for owners and their furry friends to dress up together to win the “Best pet and child in costume” or “Best pet and adult in costume” trophies.
Another chance to win big is the Coffin Race where the top prize is $200. Organizers encourage the community to grab some friends, build a coffin, decorate it, dress up themselves and give themselves a wild name to prepare for this event. The race will begin with a parade of all the participants where the teams will be judged during a line-up in the staging area before racing. Teams will compete two at a time to see who reaches the finish line first.
The winner of each round will advance to the next round and in the event of a tie, the best two out of three races will apply. There is a $20 entry fee and rules can be found by going to the Facebook, “Scare on the Square, WCH” event. An additional $100 prize for the best team costume and coffin will also be awarded. The event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m.
Other attractions include a “Spirits, Legends and Lore” walk for $10 that will showcase interesting history lessons about Fayette County, as well as Bobbing for Donuts, face painting for kids and free hay rides. Additionally, food vendors will be available.
“All money received will go toward the funding for this event as well as for future events if there is any other proceeds over the event costs,” Hernandez said. “Also, as part of the Pet Parade, the goal is that we are now pet-friendly in the downtown area. They will have a bowl of water to drink out of courtesy of JMI Pet Supply, they can hang out on patios or go into a store, though that is up to the store owner. Most of us in the downtown are excited about it.”
Stay with the Record-Herald this month for more updates on this event, including additional contest rules and coverage as they become available.
Reach Martin Graham at (740) 313-0351 or on Twitter @MartiTheNewsGuy.
