By Martin Couch
For the seventh consecutive year, the Bryant Chamber of Commerce will hold Monster Madness at Mills Park in Bryant. The event will be on Thursday, Oct. 28, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
To volunteer or be a sponsor, call the Chamber at 847-4702.[more]
"Two things led to the creation of Monster Madness," said Bryant Chamber of Commerce executive director Rae Ann Fields said. "We kept getting phone calls on what kids do on Halloween in Bryant and the second one was the desire to do something to raise money for the Boys and Girls Club of Bryant. Those things coming together gives the kids something to do for Halloween and it raises money."
Depending on weather conditions, the crowds at Monster Madness have been larger or small.
"We have had huge crowds and little crowds, but you don't know until that night," Fields said. "We have had as many as 3,000 out, but it depends on what's going on the area, too."
The tennis courts at Mills Park will be a controlled environment for games and bouncies the smaller children can enjoy.
"Parents can feel a little better about it," Fields said.
Outside the courts, booths will be set up for the specific reason of giving out candy. Then on the stage, there will be a costume contest sponsored by Centennial Bank. Afterwards, a bonfire will be set and there will be a haunted trail ride where attendees can ride a trailer pulled by a tractor carrying hay bales.
"It's kind of like a hay ride through the haunted trail," Fields said. "I think a lot of the kids still go and trick or treat on Halloween, but if you have a costume, this lets you use it more than one night. The kids get so excited about Halloween night and it’s a way for them to get out and experience a little bit of fun with the night still yet to come."
In the past there have been weather issues, but Fields is hoping for a clear night.
"It's nice to have something instead of the actual date of Halloween in case it rains then," she said.
