Little ghosts, goblins and miniature superheroes will haunt the streets of downtown Benton next week for the 12th annual Spook City.
“We will have several characters coming, including the mascots from Chick-fil-A and the Arkansas Travelers,” said Wanda Posey, co-chairwoman of Spook City. “We will even have Santa Claus on hand.”
Spook City is scheduled for Saturday, beginning at 5 p.m.
“Over 60 businesses will be on hand for the kiddos to trick-or-treat,” said Joyce Robinson, co-chairwoman of Spook City.
Robinson said members of the 501st Legion, featuring many of the iconic Star Wars characters, are scheduled to appear.
Spook City, which is presented by the Downtown Benton Business Owners Association, offers free admission, but $5 wristbands are available for purchase in advance at Regions Bank Downtown, Paradise Pets or Posey’s Service, or at the event.
A wristband allows one ride on each of the following: two trains, the pirate ship, the tubs-of fun and the mini Ferris wheel, as well as unlimited access to inflatables.
“There will also be a climbing wall, but that is more geared toward teens and adults,” Posey said.
First Baptist Church will have inflatables, free treats, games and more as part of the annual event.
“They’ll be in front and beside the Habitat [for Humanity] ReStore, just down the road from the Royal Theatre,” Posey said.
As with every year, the No. 1 concern will be safety.
“It is the safety,” Robinson said of why the event draws so many. “Add to the fact that it is a very affordable event. People can attend and not spend a lot of money.”
Posey said Benton police officers, Benton Fire Department personnel and Saline County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Reserve members will be there to help.
The three main intersections
around the downtown square will serve as a “safe zone” for emergencies.
“They will also be helpful if you have trouble locating a specific activity,” Posey said.
“We just want everybody to be safe,” Robinson said. “I don’t think we have ever had a major incident. One year, a woman did have a stroke due to a strobe light, so those have been outlawed now.”
Also free this year is the return of pumpkin bowling, which will take place on Market Street. There will also be a costume contest, presented by the city of Benton at the intersection of South and Main streets.
“The Haunted Park will be back at the corner of South and Main as well,” Posey said. “It is also free.”
Last year, Posey said, the number of guests at Spook City was estimated at 5,000 to 7,000.
“It was the biggest year we have ever had,” Posey said.
A rain date for the event has been scheduled for Oct. 23.
For more information, visit Facebook pages at Facebook/SpookCity or Facebook/Downtown Benton Events, or call (501) 776-3500.
New this year are the Zombie Parade and the Arkansas Coffin Races, presented by the city of Benton.
“There will be a $35 entry fee to participate in the coffin races, and the coffins have to be custom built,” said Shaun McFarland of YourAdTeam.
Race-coffin registration will begin at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Coffins will be inspected by officials, and all participants and registered coffins must be in the staging area by 12:30 p.m.
McFarland said the deadline to register for the race was Friday, but late entries will be accepted. He said there are currently 12 teams registered.
“There will be trophies for the coffin races, including an independent trophy for Best Coffin,” McFarland said. “This is our inaugural event, but we do plan for it to be an annual event.
“I’m sure it will gain popularity as we continue to do it throughout the years.”
The zombie activities will begin at noon at C.W. Lewis Stadium in downtown Benton with a free face-painting event. The Zombie Parade will begin at 1 p.m. and travel for about seven blocks.
“The Zombie Parade is free to participate in,” McFarland said. “Anybody who wants to participate needs to be lined up by 12:30 p.m.
“A number of different groups and clubs will participate, but [the parade] is also open to individuals.”
Spook City will begin immediately following a live performance from the band Katmandu, which will begin playing at 4 p.m. Posey said there will be plenty of food available for purchase.
“Burger Shack will be open for inside dining,” she said. “Other options include the Royal Theater concession stand and Papa Johns Pizza by the slice, and the Main Street Station Eatery will be open with food trucks available.”
McFarland said the idea for the zombie activities came from Benton Mayor David Mattingly challenging the Public Relations Team to come up with a way to draw more people to Spook City.
“We are all about economic development; it is the purpose of what we do,” McFarland said. “So we are trying to drive people to Benton and the downtown area, which is such a beautiful area.”
Staff writer Sam Pierce can be reached at (501) 244-4314 or spierce@arkansasonline.com.