County celebrates fall, Halloween with various events

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Tricks, treats and plethora of costumed children will be a common sight the next couple of weeks as residents across Cherokee County prepare for Halloween festivities and fall festivals.

Leading off the list of events is Atoy Baptist Church’s Fall festival, beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22. Food, fun and festivities are planned!

An annual favorite, the Cherokee County Master Gardeners will host their annual Scarecrow Trail, Oct. 23-30, at Ruth Nichols Arboretum, 1015 SE Loop 456 in Jacksonville. The trail is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Admission is $1 or one canned good per person, in support of HOPE – Jacksonville.

Also, on Oct. 23, Corner Lot Drive-in’s fall festival will be held at 1030 CR 2120 in Rusk. Along with food, games and prizes, the event features a costume contest and a showing of the movie "Hocus Pocus."

The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Trunk or Treat event on Commerce and Main streets, this year kicking off at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25.

Beall Chapel Baptist Church will host a fall festival, featuring food, fun and games, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 1861 S. Jackson St. in Jacksonville.

on Oct. 29, the Rusk Chamber will host its annual Scare on the Square, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday, and going until the candy runs out. Businesses on the courthouse square in downtown Rusk will be passing out candy, while the local library (located off the square) will show Halloween movies and local businesses also will be welcoming costumed visitors – like All Aboard Nutrition at 595 N. Main Street, which will have special treats from 3-5 p.m. that day.

Meanwhile, in Jacksonville, residents at Country Place Senior Living will host a Halloween event, from 3:30-5:50 p.m. at 2120 E. Rusk St. in Jacksonville (behind Family First Urgent Care).

On Halloween weekend, the Rusk KOA Holiday will host a “Spooktacular Halloween Weekend” at its campgrounds. A variety of activities are planned for Oct. 29-31, such as a pumpkin toss and hay ride. For guests at the 745 FM 343 E campgrounds in Rusk, a Haunted Forest will be set up each evening and campsite trick-or-treating and movie night are planned.

All Hallow’s Eve – Oct. 30 – offers a night of fun, too: “Tricks & Treats” are planned from 5-8 p.m. by the Alto EDC on Saturday, while in Reklaw, the second annual Trunk or Treat event goes from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at 140 W. Main St.

Halloween Day, Peoples Church of Jacksonville will host a Trunk or Treat event from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, at 14089 U.S. Highway 79 E in Jacksonville, while a “Folloween Jesus Drive-Thru” begins at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, in the Kingdom Christian Center parking lot, 411 S. Bolton St.

Central Baptist Church will host a Trunk or Treat event, along with games, entertainment and candy, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Halloween evening at 1909 E. Rusk St. in Jacksonville. The congregation also is collecting non-perishable food items for HOPE of Jacksonville. Questions about the food drive can be directed to 903-586-2215.

And, Wells Manor Apartments will host a Trunk or Treat event from 6-8 p.m. – the apartment complex is located at Wright Patman Drive and Manor Loop.

Still wanting to savor the holiday season? Check out the fall festivals hosted in the area:

• Nov. 6 – The community of Earle’s Chapel will host its first Founder's Day festival, featuring barbecue, a barrel train, carnival games, a petting zoo and an appearance by the Earle's Chapel VFD fire truck.

• Nov. 13 – Elijah’s Retreat, at 257 County Road 3110 in Jacksonville, will host a Fall Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13. The event features food, fun and entertainment; no admission is charged, however, tickets will be sold for food and games, according to organizers.