It’s October, and the spooky season is finally upon us. It’s time for costumes and candy and pumpkins and lots of frightfully delightful fun.
There’s no better place to enjoy this spooky season than the Hub City. Each year, Mayor Toby Barker proclaims October “the greatest month to be a Hattiesburger,” here’s why…
October brings a month filled with gruesome thrills and chills and Halloween haunts that are sweet, fun, and just a little bit spooky for those who prefer their holiday fun on the not-so-scary side. During this season of hocus pocus and haunted good times, Hattiesburg always embraces the fall spirit and turns the Hub City into a Halloween wonderland full of candy corn and pumpkin-spiced fun for everyone. There’s Halloween excitement to be had everywhere, planned for everyone to enjoy.
“As the weather is cooling off, we see more people wanting to get out and enjoy the nice fall evenings, which is why Zoo Boo is such fun for families,” Lisa Conn of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission said. “We have both first-time visitors and families who have made Zoo Boo a part of their October family traditions each year.”
Hosted by the Hattiesburg Zoo, Zoo Boo opens on Oct. 20 and will run until Oct. 30, bringing lots of Halloween fun, laughs, and good times. There will be plenty of silly and not-so-scary thrills and chills for the whole family. Enjoy rides on the Spook-tacular Express, catch some Eerie Animal Shows, and enjoy some Alarming Animal Encounters. You’ll also be treated to devilish drinks and spooky but delicious food specials.
Let your imagination run wild and prepare for a month filled with monstrous merriment. Dress up as your favorite princess or villain, or if you’re more into the haunted horror scene, don your scariest version of Michael Myers, Jason, or any frightful spooks that haunt your dreams. Just remember–it’s a time for fun, fantasy, and adventure!
“There is something for everyone in the family to experience and enjoy at one of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission’s nine attractions,” Conn said. “We have movies, live-action role-play, animals, and education. Our events are wide-ranging and appeal to the young and young at heart.”
Hattiesburg offers lots of Halloween fun throughout the month, and there is something for locals and visitors alike to enjoy every day during October. So, get your calendar ready, and we will let you in on all the fun events scheduled during this spooky season.
From October 1-31, the Hattiesburg Pocket Museum offers a new exhibit with a spooky new theme filled with lots of fun and surprises as the undead pirates of the Black Pearl once again visit the alley. You’ll get a closer look at the cursed pirates of the salty seas during the Night of the Marauding Pirates on Oct. 13. A visit to the Pocket Museum is always fun during the day or night during the Halloween season, and expect plenty of entertainment.
Get your boo crew together and show off your pumpkin carving skills at the Largest Pumpkin Carving in the Gulf South hosted by Keg and Barrel on Oct. 19. It will be an evening of friendly competition and spooky good times for the whole family and you and your ghouls as you work on creating your best Jack-o-Lantern.
For movie buffs, Hattiesburg is lots of fun. Scary movie nights are scheduled throughout the month in downtown Hattiesburg. Festive movies will be held at Town Square Park and The Lucky Rabbit on Oct. 21.
Don’t miss the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” featuring the Hattiesburlesque at the Saenger Theater.
“This is for our more mature audience members who love to dress up, sing, and dance to this cult classic,” Conn said. Those die-hard horror fans are in for a treat all month long at the Lucky Rabbit. You’ll be transported to Haddonfield, the infamous town thrown into terror by the horrifying Michael Myers on that fateful Halloween night when he terrorized this hamlet. There are plenty of fun photo ops with Michael and the iconic house where he terrorized his sister as she was babysitting on that memorable Halloween night.
Want to take advantage of all the sweet treats this Halloween? You’ll have plenty of opportunities to dress up and get great goodies. There will be Trick-or-Treating at the Pete at Pete Taylor Park on Oct. 26. Get ready for even more fun at the African American Military History Museum’s Annual Booseum on Oct. 27. All superheroes, princesses, and ghostly creatures are invited as the museum comes to life during these special nighttime hours. Guests will enjoy the “fangtastic” décor, “boorific” games, “creepy-crawly” crafts and lots of “howling” good food. The night will end with a spooktacular trick-or-treat tour of the museum.
On Oct. 28, Tatum Park will host Trunk-or-Treat at Tatum Park, and the Hattiesburg Library will offer trick-or-treating during the day.
Prepare for gruesomely good fun as the Hattiesburg Halloween Parade will roll down Hardy Street on Oct. 28 at 5:30 p.m. Hattiesburg Avenues is “over the ‘full’ moon'” for this delightful event. It’s a guarantee that you’ll have a good time. According to the Hattiesburg Avenues, “It’s going to be great. We can feel it in our bones.”
There’s no better time to be a Hattiesburger or to visit the Hub City than during October. Whether you like your Halloween scary and filled with terror or prefer more treats and just a few tricks, you’ll find something for everyone to enjoy in Hattiesburg this month.
“Our attractions provide entertainment for every family member,” Conn said. “Our events are wide-ranging and appeal to the young and young at heart.”
For more information on events and to check up on any other events you might be interested in this October, please visit October in Hattiesburg – City of Hattiesburg (hattiesburgms.com).
