Hinesville was abuzz with Halloween activities this past weekend with the annual Scarecrow StROLL that was held Friday night and the sixth annual Hinesville Cars and Coffee Trunk or Treat held this past Saturday.
According to Hinesville Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Michelle Ricketson, the Scarecrow Stroll and the Christmas Parade are the two largest events of the year. But as with everything else this year, modifications were made to host the annual Halloween event to comply with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Ricketson said what is typically a pedestrian event that draws in thousands was turned into a drive through event. Cars lined up at the parking lot of the Army Education Center. The participants then followed a Hinesville Police Car down Memorial Drive, turning south onto Main Street and them making a U-Turn at Ameris Bank to come back up Main street and then exit the event by turning right or continuing north at the traffic circle.
Ricketson said they had around 50 vendors that passed out treats while families drove up and down Main Street. She said they weren’t able to offer a costume contest this year. Instead five prizes will be awarded to the best decorated cars at the event.
Ricketson said they drew about half the crowd they would normally see. The event lasted for several hours to the delight of the children who attended.
On Halloween night the sixth annual Hinesville Cars and Coffee Trunk or Treat event was held in the parking lot in front of the Hinesville Dunkin Donuts.
Dunkin Donuts Store Manager Shannon Paulson said they’ve attracted up to 5,000 people in the past years. She said folks enjoy coming out to celebrate the Halloween themed car show, mini-haunted house and candy give away.
This year the event was scaled down but still highly attended. Paulson said most of the candy they handed out was donated. She added that organizations like Master Tent, Carter’s Ink, Jimmy John’s, Extreme Audio, Pet Sense and Rock Chicks donated several car trophies that were awarded at the end of the event.
Hinesville Cars and Coffee meets for a community-wide car show the last Saturday of each month and started their Halloween Trunk or Treat six years ago to make the October event more family friendly.
Hinesville Cars and Coffee has won best community event for the past few years in the annual Liberty Life Magazine Best of Liberty contest.
Photos and video by Lewis Levine
Photo gallery here: https://coastalcourier.com/news/photos-halloween-2020/