Throngs of costumed adults and children lined the streets of Hinesville as the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority held their rescheduled Scarecrow Stroll event on Oct. 30.

The event, which dates back at least 10 years, features different businesses and vendors for the community to visit. Businesses decorate their exteriors and vendors of all kinds set up tents with games, food, and candy to entertain the hundreds of people that come each year. This year featured 106 vendors and activities, according to HDDA Executive Director Michelle Ricketson.

This year, four businesses created scarecrows for a display in Bradwell Park. The Heritage Bank, Wise Tax Services, All State Insurance/Andy Bennett, and Ameris Bank displayed scarecrows for the public to enjoy.

“We are just thrilled with the participation of the vendors and the general public,” Ricketson said. “Especially since we had to move the event.”

Since Ricketson joined the HDDA, she has seen the event grow substantially in five years. 

“My first year for the Scarecrow Stroll, we had 57 vendors,” she said. “This year, we had nearly double that [106 vendors] and it’s a great feeling to see how much this event has been embraced by everyone.”

On average, Ricketson said that nearly 15,000 people attend the event in downtown Hinesville, and this year was no exception. Ricketson firmly believes that at least 15,000 people showed.

“The community is really embracing this event as a safe and family-friendly activity,” Ricketson added. “I think it speaks volumes to see the amount of people and businesses come together to put on such a great, community oriented event.”

Ricketson said that her favorite costumes had to be the Monster sponsor, which was Weichert Realtors, and Coldwell Banker Holtzman Realtors. The team at Coldwell Banker Holtzman dressed as a three-ring circus, Ricketson said. There was a ring leader, bearded lady and other circus performers.