Boo-nanza, mall carnival highlight Halloween/Harvest festivities

Cathy Spaulding, Muskogee Phoenix, Okla.
·2 min read

Oct. 26—Costumed creatures can play games, compete for prizes and enjoy candy galore at Halloween and harvest events throughout the area.

Festivities begin at 12:30 p.m. Saturday when Three Rivers Guard Dogs Motorcycle Club hosts its 12th annual Candy Run. Guard Dogs motorcycles are expected to zoom into the Arrowhead Mall parking lot to distribute candy.

Guard Dog member Tom "T-Bone" Pryor said motorcyclists and businesses will hand out candy in a trunk or treat style.

Pryor said 500 to 700 youngsters got candy at last year's event. He said he hopes a large crowd will come this year.

"We've got a lot of candy to pass out," he said.

Fort Gibson High School's Royal Regiment band will host a fall carnival and auction at 2 p.m. Saturday. Game tickets are $1 each or $25 for an unlimited games armband.

Trick or treaters by the thousand are expected at Muskogee's annual Boo-nanza, 6 p.m. Saturday at Depot Green and South Main Street.

"We normally expect around 3,000 to show up the entire night," said Courtney Graham, executive director of Muskogee Main Street. "We have at least 60 vendors, including Muskogee Swim and Fitness, Fur Babies, Muskogee STEAM Center, Muskogee Police Department...just a whole bunch of people."

Local businesses, churches, nonprofit sand school organizations will hand out candy during trick or treating.

Neighbors Building Neighborhoods will have carnival games on Elgin Street. Cruis'n Angels Car Club will show vehicles.

There also will be live music.

A costume contest will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Depot Green pavilion. Prizes will be given to the best overall, best pet and the best in age groups from newborn to old age.

Halloween night will be full of fun, as well.

Several churches will sponsor a Fall Festival 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Arrowhead Mall. Karen Smith, director of First Baptist Church Christian Life Center said participating churches include Boston Avenue Baptist, Brushy Mountain Baptist, Calvary Baptist, Fairview Baptist, Immanuel Baptist, and Oldham Memorial Baptist."

"We'll have free games, free prizes, free candy, and we'll even have inflatables," Smith said. "We'll also have hot dogs and snacks for a nominal price (cash only). The easiest way to enter will be the northeast entrance that takes everyone directly to the food court. There will be plenty of parking, and we'll have security on hand. The best part is that it will be indoors."

Trick or treaters also can see Elmo and Cookie Monster at the Halloween Extravaganza 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Muskogee County EMS.

"We're going to have lots of fun, lots of candy, a little bit of tricks and lots of treats, a little bit of scary," EMS spokeswoman Trish German said.