IH Park in Lakeland was THE place to be this sunny, fall afternoon.
Thousands of costumed children and adults filled the venue today (10.21.18) for the free annual Lakeland Halloween Festival with temps in the high 50s and excitement in the air.
The crowd was estimated at 2,000 people.
Link to Google album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/wf9DpsJhWdMjec5i8
Arriving at the Park wasn’t an easy task for many, as traffic was clogged on Canada Road from U.S. Highway 70 on the north to Lake Bridge Drive going south. The parking lots adjacent to IH Park filled quickly as did parking across the street at First Baptist Church. And the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputies did their best to direct and control the increasing traffic.
Despite the traffic and the long lines, the bumble bee had a good time, as did the pineapple, the dragon and the Cat in the Hat Family, the haunted beauty, the llama, witch and clown, the chicken, astronaut and the Claw Machine.
Mayor Wyatt Bunker was on hand for the festivities and proclaimed them a success. “What a great opportunity to share with our neighboring communities how remarkable Lakeland is. It was truly a wonderful afternoon and event. “
And come from neighboring cities they did: Olive Branch, MS, Marion, AR, Bartlett, Millington, Atoka, Mason, Arlington, Oakland, Cordova, Drummond, Brighton, Raleigh, Fisherville, Collierville, Germantown and — oh yes, Lakeland.
Sponsors were The Lakeland Lions Club which shuttled attendees from the Church to the Park; Trustmark Bank; Sprouts Farmers Market; Four-Way Insurance LL; and Bartlett Pediatric Dentistry. Also on hand to help were Arlington High School (AHS) Honors Art and AHS Honor Society students, according to Kim Odom, special events coordinator for the City of Lakeland.
In addition to candy giveaways from the various vendors, there was a pumpkin patch, face-painting, an inflatable, Mr. Mike the Balloon Man and costume contests.
Winners of the costume contests by ages, provided by Mrs. Odom:
2 and under: First place, Micha McCullough (peacock), 2, Lakeland; Second place, Ezra McCrory (cereal), 1, Southaven; Third place, Evie and Ellie Joesel (lady bugs), 3-mos., Bartlett.
3 to 6: First place, Trey Joesel, (Zombie Doctor), 5, Bartlett; Second place, Dorian Berlin (firefighter), 3, Germantown; Third place, Kazzandra Meeks (pineapple), 6, Cordova.
7 to 9: First place, Sam Mora (pumpkin head), 8, Lakeland; Second place, Noah Allen (shark), 7, Lakeland; Third place, Brayden Deluca (skeleton dog), 7, Cordova.
10 to 13: First place, Collin Kee (Bob Ross), 11, Bartlett; Second place, Langston Estes (Donald Trump), 10, Bartlett; Maya Zelimski (avocado), 13, East Memphis.
14 to 18: First place, Kylee Kee, 14. No other winners in this category.
Family: First place, Angie Strickland and daughter Destiny, 6 (The Claw).
Second place, Joshua, Rainorah, 6, Roman, 2, and Lyndsey Pare (Lord of the Rings).
Third place, Chris Shelby, Creed, 8, Heidi, 4, Tate, 10, and Sadie Scoggins, 6 (Batman).
There were two separate Pumpkin Pie Eating Contests for kids and one contest for adults. A trophy was awarded to the competitor that ate the most pie in each contest. Winners in the kids’ contests were Cha’Rell Love of Memphis and Sadie Scoggins of Millington. Michael Haines of Millington earned the trophy in the adult category.
… Photos and video by Jim Willis and Carl Helton with Lakeland Currents
