John Willoughby
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Halloween has surely been one of the most-celebrated holidays in America; especially in Madison as children walk the sidewalks of downtown as vampires, ghosts, superheroes or their favorite princess in pursuit of treats, and others dress up in their ghoulish best for a howling good time. This year, there will be no shortage of excitement – or spooks – which will not be confined to just one night.
The Madison County Chamber of Commerce and the Madison County Tourist Development Council (TDC) are partnering up with Ragans Family Campground and others to bring the Madison County Fall Fun and Frights season, beginning on Friday, Oct. 2, until Halloween night. The chamber credits Trent Abbott, a member on the TDC board, for dreaming up the month-long partnership.
"We've been trying to find a way to collaborate with the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, coming up with events that would benefit those in the county, not just the TDC," said Trent Abbott, whose focus remains on bringing tourists into Madison County. "This is just something fun to capitalize on with everything going on."
Abbott is also affiliated with Ragans Family Campground, who is partnering with the chamber and TDC to work hand in hand, bringing business to downtown Madison and small business owners, as well as to the campground as they provide spooks and scares to those who dare to take a trip into their haunted house and through their haunted trail. "The hope is that it would draw more business [to Ragans Family Campground], but draw business uptown as well."
"This is an absolutely fantastic chance for Madison County residents to stay in-county this season for Halloween fun for the whole family," said Emerald Greene Parsons, Interim Executive Director of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce. "We're excited about our first ever Chamber Haunted House and we can't wait for everyone to get their fright on by walking our scary, haunted aisles along with the haunted house and haunted trail event put on by our friends at Ragans Family Campground. More so than that, though, are the opportunities to enjoy the festive scarecrows lining Range Avenue while you shop at local downtown businesses for all your Halloween and holiday needs."
The month-long series of frights in the night will kickoff on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2-3, with the Madison County Chamber of Commerce Haunted House, in partnership with Hammond's Haunting. Shuffle through the Ag Center as you dodge jump scares and search for your way to the other end. The Ag Center (Livestock Show Arena) is located at 182 NW College Loop, in Madison. Entry is $5. Once you exit, make your way down to Ragans Family Campground, located at 1501 Old St. Augustine Rd., in Madison, where you can travel the North Florida backwoods on a spooky trail ride before making your way through their haunted house. The events at the chamber and Ragans Family Campground begin at 7 p.m. nightly, each Friday and Saturday of the month, during October.
The fun continues on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24-25, with the Madison Youth Soccer League's Kick or Treat Soccer Tournament, to be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Blair Park, in Lee. Interested athletes, ages 8-14, may sign up now through Saturday, Oct. 10, by visiting www.madisonyouthsoccer.org. Three teams consisting of eight players will duke it out on the field to become the reigning Kick or Treat champs.
No matter if you venture to Madison County to experience the spooky haunted houses or to play soccer, just be sure to not leave until you take a walk along Range Avenue where you will find festive scarecrows lining the businesses and organizations in downtown Madison, not only celebrating Halloween, but the fall season.
For more information about any of the events going on throughout the month of October, contact the Madison County Chamber of Commerce at (850) 973-2788. Happy Halloween!
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