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Halloween still Oct. 31 this year

By J. FRANK LYNCH
jflynch@theCitizenNews.com

Halloween will still be Halloween in Fayette County, even though Oct. 31 falls on a Sunday this year.

The Citizen has received numerous inquiries from residents about whether local governments or police departments are encouraging trick-or-treaters to go door-to-door on Saturday rather than Sunday.

But a quick check shows there are no plans to “move” the night.

“We don’t change Halloween,” said Betsy Tyler, spokeswoman for Peachtree City, which drew criticism from some because it moved the annual Fourth of July parade this year from Sunday to Saturday for the same reason.

“Technically, we didn’t change July 4 either, we just changed the date for city-sponsored Independence Day events,” said Tyler, adding that the city does not sponsor or endorse trick-or-treating.

A number of Halloween events are taking place around the community starting this weekend, however.

•ÊThe Great Pumpkin Walk sponsored by Fayetteville Main Street begins Friday and runs through Sunday.

Students from area elementary schools will deliver their carved jack-o-lanterns to pre-assigned areas around the old courthouse, Heritage Park and City Hall by noon on Friday, and parents will light the pumpkins each night.

Ribbons will be given out to the top pumpkins, and the class with the most jack-o-lanterns will receive a $500 cash prize.

On Saturday from 6-9 p.m., trick-or-treating will take place around the square, along with a costume contest, arts and crafts, storytelling and special music.

•ÊIn Peachtree City, The Avenue will host a similar “Halloween Experience” next Saturday, Oct. 30, from 3-6 p.m. Anyone can enter a jack-o-lantern in the “Pumpkin Walk,” with $175 in Avenue gift cards at stake. Trick-or-treating will take place with Avenue merchants, and photos will be taken of kids in costume.

•ÊThe Peachtree City Fire Department continues its annual Pumpkin Sale through Oct. 31 at the Weber Station, 481 South Peachtree Parkway, and the Leach Station, 110 Paschall Rd.

•ÊThe Peachtree City Fire Department Haunted House kicks off this Friday and Saturday and continues next weekend as well at the Leach Station, 110 Paschall Rd. Admission is $8 adults ($7 in advance at the Leach Station) and $5 for students. Youngsters will be admitted to a children’s area for $3.

•ÊThe Peachtree City Youth Council will sponsor Rocktober Fest ’04 on Friday, Oct. 29 from 7-11 p.m. at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater. Bands scheduled to perform include Freestyle Inc., Gravel Undertone, Chopper John, Tomorrow’s Regret and 10 Star. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door the night of the concert.

•ÊThe Peachtree City Youth Council will sponsor a Halloween Party for kids ages 6-10 on Saturday, Oct. 30 from noon-2 p.m. at the Kedron Fieldhouse. The event will include games, a costume contest and refreshments. Admission is free, but preregistration is requested by Oct. 27. Call 770-631-2542.