Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
The long and snaking line at Williamston’s Boo in the Park was doing what a line at a Halloween event ought to do: moving toward candy.
Close to 2,000 were on hand at Mineral Springs Park for the annual Halloween celebration, “Boo in the Park.”
Kids in costumes were greeted and treated by more than 26 businesses on a cool late Saturday afternoon.
“You couldn’t ask for better weather,” said Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess. “Great crowd, great turnout.”
There was a fire going, too, and s’mores — an acknowledgment that candy, while essential, could use a toasty seasonal boost.
For the town, the gathering offered the satisfaction of seeing a park well used. For the people in line, its attractions required less explanation.
Boo in the Park has been going for close to 20 years and the mayor credited Diane Chastine Lawless with the original idea.
“That was her brainchild,” he said. “Her idea to begin with.”
Nearly two decades is enough time for an event to become something residents expect rather than something organizers must explain. Still, an annual gathering must be assembled again each year and local businesses persuaded to participate, candy supplied, a place made ready for the crowd.
The formula appears to be holding.
“It just keeps getting bigger and bigger each year,” Rockey said.
The name promises a scare, but the event is more about people turning out, businesses joining in, something sweet at the end of the line. The fire and s’mores supplied another reason not to leave immediately.
Even before Boo in the Park had been cleaned up, the conversation moved to the park’s next assignment.
Winter Wonderland is coming in less than a month, bringing another seasonal gathering and another round of preparations.
“I think that might be our biggest event of the year,” Rockey said.
For organizers, the interval between Halloween and the holidays was already looking short.
On Saturday, though, there was no need to hurry the season along. Williamston had cooperative weather, a substantial crowd and businesses handing out candy. Winter could wait its turn. There were still s’mores.
