Get ready for a night of spooky delight.
The Greater Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce will hold its second annual Halloween Parade at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, starting at Hillsboro Intermediate School, 10478 Business 21. After the parade, attendees are invited to attend the chamber’s “Boo at the Barn” event, featuring activities for people of all ages.
Mandy Alley of Hillsboro, the chamber’s marketing coordinator and one of the organizers, said she is excited to celebrate Halloween with the community again.
Last year’s event attracted between 800 and 1,000 attendees, with 75 floats and hundreds of participants in the parade. This year, Alley expects an even larger crowd. Alley said she and her husband, Gary Loveless, came up with the idea for the Halloween parade.
“We have eight kids, and we all really enjoy Halloween. There are many fall festivals, but there was no other event like this in the area that only celebrates Halloween,” she said. “I ran the idea past some friends and the chamber board, and they thought it was great. We did not really know what to expect, but the turnout was overwhelming.”
Alley said it was a true community effort with board members, businesses and other organizations working together to make a great community event.
It costs $15 to have an entry in the parade, and the deadline for entry is Thursday, Oct. 16. Lineup for the parade begins at Hillsboro Intermediate at 5 p.m. The parade will proceed from the school to southbound Business 21 to Main Street to Vreeland Road and then back to the school to disperse. To sign up to participate in the parade, go the event page at hillsborochamberofcommerce.com.
“We do not charge per vehicle; it’s just one great entry for your business or organization,” Alley said. “You can have as many vehicles or floats under your entry as you’d like. All that we ask is that adults gently toss candy to those in the crowd and keep costumes and floats respectful, as this is a family-friendly event.”
New this year is a special parade entry reserved for all those dressed as witches and warlocks. Come alone or as a group and join in an impressive showing in the parade. If you want to join the witches’ and warlocks’ parade entry, indicate that on your registration form.
Immediately following the parade will be the “Boo at the Barn” event at Bridle Ridge Acres Farm, 200 Bridle Ridge Lane, in Hillsboro. The evening will include a trunk or treat; a spooky barn loft walk geared toward younger kids; a haunted trail for older kids and teens; a bonfire and s’mores; music; food for purchase from food trucks; a children’s costume contest; pumpkin decorating; and live animals.
“The only activity that is not free is the pumpkin painting for $1,” Alley said. “Those donations will go toward the Hillsboro Agricultural Department, which partnered with the chamber for this event.”
To register a vehicle in the trunk-or-treat activity, contact Crissy Mann at mann_crissy@hsdr3.org or 636-481-6718. One bag of candy will be provided to each participant, and prizes will be awarded to first, second and third places for the best decorated vehicles.
Cash prizes will be given to first, second and third place winners in the costume contest for children 12 and younger.
Alley said that she is looking forward to seeing all the Halloween costumes at the event.
“Kids and their families should get to experience some fun events, and it should not cost them an arm and a leg,” she said. “That is the thing that I’m most proud of, that the chamber can partner with the school to offer a great event for the community, and for the most part, it’s free.”
The chamber is seeking sponsors to help purchase supplies for the event. Sponsorships cost $100, and sponsors will be recognized in a fun way, with their business or organization names featured on Halloween headstones at the barn entrance. They also will receive VIP parking at the barn on event night and recognition on the chamber’s social media and website pages.
For information, call 636-481-6718, email hillsborochamberoffice@gmail.com or visit the hillsborochamberofcommerce.com.