A few days ago I saw a video that a friend posted on Facebook offering her opinion about Hopkinsville’s social life. If you think there’s nothing to do, you aren’t looking hard enough, she said. I agree. It’s especially true during the Halloween season. With that in mind, here are several events happening in the coming week. There’s something for young people, older folks and even your dog.
Double trouble with the Bell Witch
Christian County historian William T. Turner told the story of the Bell Witch last night during Torchlight Tours at Jeffers Bend Environmental Center. If you missed it, educator and writer Wayne Goolsby will share the 200-year-old ghost story at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, during a chili supper at the old St. Elmo schoolhouse, 12225 Bradshaw Road. Tickets for the St. Elmo event are $10 and should be purchased in advance from the Christian County Extension Office, 2850 Pembroke Road.
Community Fall Fest at HCC
Hopkinsville Community College, 720 North Drive, has its Community Fall Fest on Friday, Oct. 28. It starts at 4 p.m. with activities exclusively for HCC students and their families. Community members are invited to join the festival at 5 p.m. Children can trick-or-treat around campus and play games. Free hot dogs will be served to the first 1,200 visitors.
Halloween is for pets, too
You Dirty Dog Pet Resort and Spa, 1702 E. Ninth St., is hosting Trunk or Treat from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29. Costumes are encouraged. They’ll have a spooky pet photo booth, plus treats, raffles, food and music. Pet nail trims will be available for a donation, and proceeds will go to local pet rescues. (Pet should be up-to-date on shots, and healthy.)
Pumpkin carving and festival at the library
The Hopkinsville-Christian County Imagination Library has a pumpkin-carving contest. Participants will pay a $20 entry fee and pick up free supplies, including a pumpkin and a carving kit, at the public library no later than Monday, Oct. 24. The pumpkin contest will be a part of the fall festival from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28, behind the public library in the amphitheater.
Tales from the cemetery
Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County will lead two spooky strolls through Riverside Cemetery, 119 Metcalfe Lane, for Snacks at the Cemetery — first at 6 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. Museum director Alissa Keller will tell stories of local women buried at Riverside. Seasonal snacks will be provided between the two tours. Both tours start at the chapel building in Riverside. Tickets, available online, are $20 per person and $18 for museum members.
Head downtown on Halloween
Children up to age 12 are invited to come in costume and bring a candy bag to collect treats from merchants, restaurants and offices from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31. The route will be along Main Street between Sixth and 13th streets. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
