DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY/dewayne@mcnews.online
ODEN – Oden High School proved that you can safely enjoy Halloween in the middle of a COVID-19 pandemic. They were able to provide a safe, yet fun drive thru Halloween Carnival last Saturday to set an example for events scheduled this Saturday around the county.
The Halloween Town Drive Thru Carnival included all the trappings of a regular Halloween Carnival except people drove from one area to another instead of walking. Carnival goers paid by the carload and drove past cotton candy food vendors before getting a chance to play games.
The game section was by far the most difficult, but participants were asked to stop their vehicles and exit to play the games. Once a car load had finished they would load up and move on to the next station. Volunteers were on hand to sanitize all the equipment used in the games before the next group was allowed to exit and play.
They also had several area businesses, churches and school groups decorate sections along the path. They also passed out candy to cars as they drove by.
The night ended with a photo opportunity and a chance to judge the pumpkin carving contest.
Principal William Edwards stated that the focus wasn’t on fundraising as much this year as in years past. The focus this year was on getting people involved in providing some form of safe entertainment for the community in this difficult time.
Halloween is this Saturday and more events are on the way.
Festivities will kick off Saturday afternoon with a drive thru Trunk or Treat scheduled for downtown Mount Ida. The Halloween Drive Thru Trunk or Treat will begin at 3 p.m. and will continue through 5 p.m. Participants will begin at Mount Ida High School and will make their way along George Street in front of Arvest Bank and past the courthouse.
The roads will be limited to one lane traffic along the one block adjacent to the courthouse.
Everyone who has participated in Trunk or Treat in the past are encouraged to participate this year. There will be plenty of kids looking forward to bags full of candy this year.
The Halloween Drive Thru gives people plenty of time to participate in other Halloween events occurring October 31. Some of the area events include:
The S&L Fire Department Halloween Carnival located at Washita will begin at 5 p.m.
The Dead End Cemetery located at 120 Jimmy Lane in Mount Ida will also be open Halloween night from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.