Halloween Parade planned for Friday on Forrest Street

The 19th annual Forrest Street Halloween Parade is set to begin at 5:30 p.m., on Friday. Event organizer Vince Billingsley said that while the parade has being taking place for the last 20 years, organizers have seen a large growth in attendance over the last seven or eight years. "This would be our 20th year, but we did not have it during Covid so this is our 19th year," said Billingsley. "Over the last seven or eight years, we have really seen the numbers increase dramatically. We have gone from several hundred trick or treaters to probably close to 2,000 or more. The point is to provide a safe location for children to trick or treat and that is the whole reason we started doing what we did 20 years ago." Billingsley explained that the costume contest, which started last year, will be returning this year, offering tickets to Broadway Cinema in Forrest City as prizes. "We are having our costume contest again," said Billingsley. "Our mystery judges will be moving around like they were last year looking for the best costumes. We will award three winners. Generally, we will try to keep it to the best costumes rather than age groups so that there is no discrepancy there. It will be completely left to the judges’ decisions.” According to Billingsley, businesses will continue to be set up along the route showcasing themes at their booths. "Farm Bureau is not going to be doing their big themed display like they have in the past," said Billingsley. "I think some of their folks will be out there, but not doing what they used to do. Farm Bureau is really who started the businesses showing up, partly because of Frank's (Adams) house being where it is, it was simple. They started with the themes, and all of that was really before Village Creek had all of their stuff going on and all of the other events popping up. "Other people have come out and done themes now. It was something they kind of started that made its way through the route to the other vendors," continued Billingsley. "For a lot of years, their theme was one way to drive interest in the parade and they were having a lot of fun with it. It was something we could pick out and showcase as we were growing this event into what it has become." Billingsley said the group has used the Halloween parade to also push an anti-littering campaign by providing clearly marked trash cans along the roadway during the event. "There will be trash cans all along the parade route," said Billingsley. "They are very well marked, so we ask the public to please use them. We have tried to use this event as a campaign against littering as well. We do that to be respectful and mindful of the residents as well as being mindful of our own actions as it comes to littering." According to Billingsley, the group is very thankful for the support of the Forrest City Advertising and Promotion Commission, CoreMark, residents and volunteers. "We want to invite everyone out to come and enjoy the festivities," said Billingsley. "We are always so grateful for the Forrest City Advertising and Promotion Commission, CoreMark and all of the residents and volunteers who take the time to come, show up and help us put on a great Halloween parade." In addition to the Forrest Street Halloween Parade on Friday, the annual Palestine Trunk-or-Treat event is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1, in the downtown area of Palestine. The event will feature vendors and booths throughout the city of Palestine. According to the Palestine Advertising and Promotion Commission, the decision to hold the event on Saturday was to not conflict with area football games and other area Halloween festivities.

Halloween Parade planned for Friday on Forrest Street

Best costume winners to get prizes

SFC Health Unit hosting annual flu shot clinic in effort to make community safer

SFC Election Commission working to ensure internet access, security ready before Nov. 3 vote

New Homecoming Festival is Saturday at Hicky Field in FC

Hilary Trickey

Related Posts

SFC Health Unit hosting annual flu shot clinic in effort to make community safer

SFC Election Commission working to ensure internet access, security ready before Nov. 3 vote

New Homecoming Festival is Saturday at Hicky Field in FC

FC Mayoral candidates share goals to lead city

QCourt approves resolution on FCMC non-profit status

Mayoral candidates take center stage at tonight’s political forum

Kiwanians hosting Pancake Day Nov. 4

Community food drive to help families affected by shutdown

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Archives

Categories

Recent Posts

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password

Halloween Parade planned for Friday on Forrest Street

Best costume winners to get prizes

RELATED POSTS

Membership Required

Related Posts

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Archives

Categories

Recent Posts

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password