As the dark clouds and heavy rain continued to loom over Oxford, many were left to wonder what would become of their outdoor Halloween plans.
Luckily, all bets need not be called off. Residents of the Oxford area were able to find comfort and dry land within the Lafayette County and Oxford Public Library and the University of Mississippi School of Education.
While events such as the ‘Spooktacular Safe Stop’, presented by the Family Crisis Services, were cancelled due to the weather, the festivities at the Oxford Public Library and School of Education allowed the community to celebrate in family-friendly environment. The Lafayette County and Oxford Public library has held a Halloween Party for many years. Laura Beth Walker, head librarian, said she attended a few of the library’s Halloween parties in Oxford as a child. Despite the gloomy and wet weather, staff ensured the community that the show would go on. Inside, children of all ages were invited to show off their costumes, enjoy free snacks provided by the library, play games and even sign up to participate in a costume contest.
“It’s so much fun,” Walker said. “Not only for the kids, but also the staff.”
At the School of Education’s Halloween Festival, guests walked in and were immediately given the choice of a variety of games to play. From bingo to a cakewalk, children were able to forget about the weather and have fun. Upstairs was a haunted hallway, where students of the school were clad in their finest costumes in hopes to get a scare out of those who said they weren’t scared. Students spent all Wednesday and Thursday planning and decorating the School of Education, giving the community a safe Halloween area to celebrate.
Later in the evening, the sky started to clear up, giving trick-or-treaters the opportunity to hit the streets and show off their creative (and oh-so adorable) costumes in typical Halloween fashion.
–Story and pictures contributed by Meed School of Journalism and New Media Student, Taylor Kamnetz tkamnetz@go.olemiss.edu
