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Talk of the Town - October 2018
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The historic charms of Bay St. Louis provide the perfect backdrop for Halloween events, like the annual Cedar Rest Cemetery Tour. This year, a growing coven of colorful costumers takes to the streets of Old Town in a Witches Walk for charity.
- story by Lisa Monti, photos by Ellis Anderson
- story by Lisa Monti, photos by Ellis Anderson
Several of the participants from the 2017 Witches Walk
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Halloween is a huge holiday, with millions of people spending billions of dollars on candy, costumes, decorations and whatever else to scare up a good time.
Locally, celebrating Halloween fits right into our community’s nonstop celebration of history, family get-togethers and fundraising for a cause, all with an emphasis on fun. And since Oct. 31 falls on Wednesday, this year’s festivities will get under way on the weekend before Halloween. There are several traditional local events on the calendar, along with a hot new one that’s been added to the cauldron. |
Talk of the Town
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On Saturday, Oct. 27, the Fourth Annual Witches Walk will cast a fun spell over Old Town as dazzling witches explore the shops, restaurants and galleries from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It’s a registration only event with a deadline of Oct. 19 to sign up.
The gathering kicks off at Mockingbird Café (110 S. Second Street) and meanders in downtown for shopping, eating and socializing. Many merchants will be participating with specials and refreshments, including Bodega (111 Court Street). Costumers will get numbers from participating businesses to play Witches Wingo – a holiday themed Bingo game.
The gathering kicks off at Mockingbird Café (110 S. Second Street) and meanders in downtown for shopping, eating and socializing. Many merchants will be participating with specials and refreshments, including Bodega (111 Court Street). Costumers will get numbers from participating businesses to play Witches Wingo – a holiday themed Bingo game.
One of the Witches Walk organizers, Karen West, center in purple.
After lunch, at around 1:30 p.m., the witches will meet outside of Lulu’s on Main (126 Main Street) to start their parade to Cuz’s restaurant (108 S. Beach Blvd., led by the Bay Ratz Marching Battery.
To cap off the day, there will be a dance around the cauldron at Cuz’s, where prizes donated by Old Town Merchants will be awarded for best hat, shoes and brooms and the winning Wingo card.
Bay St. Louis resident and costumer extraordinaire, Karen West, is one of the event organizers. West says it all started when she and a few friends dressed up for a Halloween birthday luncheon in 2012. Last year, 36 women participated.
This year, they had hoped to double those numbers. But after 75 tickets sold out immediately and people clamored for more, the event was expanded to encompass more Old Town venues. Registration reopened. As of October 1, West says 127 women have registered.
“It’ll be a day of fun and frivolity, for sure!” West declared.
The $10 registration fee will benefit the Hancock County Food Pantry and the Bay Ratz Marching Battery. Sign up at the Social Chair, 201 Main Street, Bay St. Louis or send payment via Paypal to karenwest0307@gmail.com. Witches will pay for their own libations and food along the way.
The 24th annual Cedar Rest Cemetery Tour, which traditionally was held on Halloween evening, will take place on Friday, Oct. 26. The 45-minute tours will begin every 10 minutes, starting at 5 p.m.
The historic cemetery is the resting place of many interesting residents, and each year the Hancock County Historical Society members and volunteers portray some of the more notable ones.
The historic cemetery is the resting place of many interesting residents, and each year the Hancock County Historical Society members and volunteers portray some of the more notable ones.
This year, in honor of the 100th anniversary of World War I’s end, eight “ethereal residents” will represent Doughboys and sailors, Buffalo Soldiers, nurses and others who will share their wartime experiences and contributions. Admission is free but donations to the Historical Society are encouraged.
Cedar Rest is located at 200 South Second Street. For more information call 228-467-4090.
Cedar Rest is located at 200 South Second Street. For more information call 228-467-4090.
Also on Saturday, Oct. 27, McLeod Park Campground will host its annual Halloween event from 5 to 10 p.m. Kids can enjoy a costume contest, various games and trick or treating.
McLeod Park Campground is located at 8100 Texas Flat Road in Kiln. for more info, call 228-467-1894 or visit the Facebook page.
McLeod Park Campground is located at 8100 Texas Flat Road in Kiln. for more info, call 228-467-1894 or visit the Facebook page.
Waveland is hosting its annual Halloween Bash on Coleman Avenue this year on Halloween night, Wednesday, October 31st. From 5:30 - 7:30, there'll be tricks, treats, face-painting and a haunted house. Residents and businesses are invited to set up for the evening on Coleman Avenue to pass out candy. For more information, call the Waveland City Hall at 228-467-4134.
