There is something about October in Hattiesburg.
Maybe it is the first hint of cooler weather. Maybe it is the pumpkins, costumes and excuse to eat entirely too much candy. Or maybe it is because the Hub City packs enough festivals, football, food and Halloween fun into one month to make a pretty convincing case that October really is the best time to be a Hattiesburger.
And this year, the calendar is packed.
October gets rolling with Live at Five at Town Square Park Oct. 1-2, followed by First Saturday in Downtown Hattiesburg on Oct. 2. The Hattiesburg Zoo gets in on the fun early, too, with its Sloth-A-Thon on Oct. 2.
Restaurant Week runs Oct. 2-9, giving everyone a pretty good excuse to eat their way through Hattiesburg. Then, on Oct. 7, grab your broomsticks and head to the Historic Saenger Theater for a showing of “Hocus Pocus.” Because really, is it even October until the Sanderson sisters have made an appearance?
Southern Miss fans get their turn on Oct. 24, when USM celebrates Homecoming at The Rock.
By the middle of the month, though, Hattiesburg starts leaning a little harder into spooky season.
On Oct. 14, Run for Your Life (Almost 4K) takes off from Murky Waters BBQ. That same night, things get wonderfully weird at the Historic Saenger Theater with an interactive showing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” If you know, you know—and if you don’t, this might be the year to find out. This one is definitely geared toward a more mature audience.
One of Hattiesburg’s biggest fall traditions returns Oct. 21 when The Largest Pumpkin Carving takes over Keg and Barrel. Bring your creativity—or at least someone in your group who can be trusted with a carving knife—and see what kind of jack-o’-lantern you can create.
Then comes the stretch Halloween lovers have been waiting for.
Zoo Boo returns to the Hattiesburg Zoo Oct. 21-29, bringing plenty of family-friendly Halloween fun. Over the years, Zoo Boo has become an October tradition for families across the Pine Belt, offering little ghosts and goblins a chance to enjoy the season without things getting too scary.
If you prefer your Halloween with a few more goosebumps, Dearly Departed Walking Tours will take visitors through downtown Hattiesburg on Oct. 23, while The Paper Warehouse Haunted Attraction at HCAC runs Oct. 23-24.
And the Halloween fun isn’t over yet. Hattiesburlesque takes over the Thirsty Hippo Oct. 28-30, while the Avenues Halloween Parade rolls through the Avenues District on Oct. 28, bringing costumes, floats and plenty of Halloween spirit to the streets of Hattiesburg.
And, of course, there is The Lucky Rabbit, and all of their fun and spooky attractions.
From football and food to pumpkins, parades and things that go bump in the night, October gives you plenty of reasons to make a trip to the Hub City.
Come for a football game. Carve a pumpkin. Watch Hocus Pocus inside the Saenger. Take the kids to Zoo Boo. Brave a haunted attraction—or leave that part to somebody else and find yourself something good to eat instead.
However you like to celebrate fall, Hattiesburg has probably put it on the calendar.
Maybe Mayor Toby Barker has been onto something all along.
October really might be the greatest month to be a Hattiesburger.
