MOUNT VERNON – Ariel-Foundation Park is sponsoring a “Halloween Hootenanny” on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 4 to 6 p.m.
The free event will be held on the lake-side of the park, and will feature music, food treats and fun. Children and families are invited to come in costume.
The event is a partnership between Ariel Park, the Mount Vernon Arts Festival and the city of Mount Vernon. The intent is to provide a fun alternative to annual trick-or-treating that is curtailed this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Guests are asked to stagger their arrival times to limit the size of crowds. Last names beginning with A-F should arrive at 4 p.m., G-M at 4:20 p.m., N-S at 4:40 p.m. and T-Z at 5 p.m. Social distancing of six feet and the wearing of protective masks must be observed when a distance of six feet cannot be maintained.
A variety of local musicians will perform in the area between the National Park and Kiwanis Club pavilions.
Story tellers will be on hand to regale children and their parents with spooky Halloween stories, while actors in costume will greet visitors and pose with children for pictures.
A community group called Knox Rocks, a group of artists who paint imaginative designs and artwork on rocks and hide them for people to find will be painting and hiding rocks for kids to find in the park in a family treasure hunt. The kids can take the rocks to one of the listed downtown merchants to receive a “goody bag” of treats and prizes.
Pumpkins decorated and adorned by local children and their parents will also be on display at the event.
Coupons donated by local businesses will be distributed to children. Participating food vendors include Annie’s Concessions and the Round Hill Dairy.
No trick or treating will take place at the event and a Halloween mask does not qualify as a COVID-19 protective facial mask, organizers said.
Parking for the event will be located at the Schnormeier Event Center and the Urton Clock House. Bring blankets and portable chairs for comfort listening to musicians playing or the story tellers.
In the event of rain the event will be cancelled. For more information visit the Aerial-Foundation Park website on Facebook or go to arielfoundationpark.org.
