Downtown Halloween Fun Fest a safe, fun environment for families
Published 12:00 am Monday, October 29, 2018
Hundreds attended Saturday's Fun Fest, an annual downtown event sponsored by the Salisbury City Parks and Recreation Department, take a hay ride. Shavonne Walker/Salisbury Post
A group attending Saturday's Fun Fest, an annual downtown event sponsored by the Salisbury City Parks and Recreation Department, take a hay ride. Shavonne Walker/Salisbury Post
Paris Turner, 2, dressed as a cheerleader holds up a piece of candy she received during Saturday's Fun Fest held in downtown Salisbury. Shavonne Walker/Salisbury Post
Lylah Edmiston, 7, grabs candy, as her brother, Jonah, 9, background and dressed as a creepy jester. The children attended the annual Fun Fest event with their mother, Jackaline. Shavonne Walker/Salisbury Post
Trevon Davis, 7, takes a turn at a game to see if he could knock down cans during Saturday's Fun Fest sponsored by the Salisbury Parks and Recreation Department, which was held behind city hall. Shavonne Walker/Salisbury Post
Davis Harwood, 4, poses inside a Salisbury firetruck as his mother, Chrissy, takes his picture. Shown in the background is his brother, Levi, 8. The family, along with dad, Jason, attended the annual Fun Fest held in downtown Salisbury. Shavonne Walker/Salisbury Post
Tucker Bramblett, 5, dressed as the Incredible Hulk receives candy from Daphne Houston during Saturday's Fun Fest sponsored by the Salisbury Parks and Recreation Department, which was held behind city hall. Shavonne Walker/Salisbury Post
Daniel Kelly, 12, throws a foam dart at a target during Saturday's Fun Fest sponsored by the Salisbury City Parks and Recreation Department where hundreds of people attended the annual event. Shavonne Walker/Salisbury Post
By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Chrissy and Jason Harwood both agree that Halloween Fun Fest is a great way for their two boys to have fun in a safe environment.
The couple, who brought Davis, 4, and Levi, 8, to the festival, spent much of Saturday evening letting the boys run around and play different activities.
Halloween Fun Fest, which is hosted by the Salisbury Parks and Recreation Department and Downtown Salisbury Inc., included carnival games and activities as well as trick-or-treating with downtown merchants.
“It’s affordable. It’s close by and accessible,” Chrissy Harwood said.
“It’s nice to have something like this here,” Jason said.
Fun Fest has been going strong for more than 20 years. It was held in the parking lot behind City Hall for the second year in a row.
“It’s a safe event for people of all walks of life to come and enjoy,” said festival coordinator Vivian Koontz.
Jackaline Stiltner has been bringing her children — Lylah and Jonah Edmiston — to Fun Fest for years.
“It’s family-oriented. They get to see their friends, and it’s a safe, community event,” Stiltner said.
She said they’ll also attend the Fall Festival at the YMCA and “anywhere I feel it’s safe.”
Christina Turner has been attending Fun Fest for about 10 years with her son, Jamir, continuing the family tradition with her 2-year-old daughter, Paris. The family outing, which included Turner’s father, Jimmy, included playing games and getting candy from downtown merchants.
“It’s a safe environment and there’s also a lot of activities,” Christina said.
Jessica Moore and her son, Gavin Horne, attended Fun Fest for the first time. Moore said she learned about the event on Facebook.
“It’s safe and fun,” Moore said.
“It’s something fun and something for the kids to do,” said Alicia Davis, who attends the festival every year.
The best part for her son, Trevon, 7, is ” you can get candy,” he said.
Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.
