Spooks,specters, apparitions abound

Cass County found its fair share of haunts and haints, with a multitude of Trunk Or Treats for the kiddos and a couple of haunted houses for teens and young at heart.

In addition to last week’s Halloween- themed Glow Run, which seemed to kick off harvest and Halloween fests, a plethora of events followed suit in Cass County and surrounding areas, according to ‘Activities/Events in Cass County, Texas Facebook page admins.

A little dreary weather didn’t discount area churches, schools, and businesses with committed plans to carry out safe, family-friendly festivities full of folksy harvest fun Saturday, Queen City First Baptist held its fall festival inside the family life center due to inclement weather. At the same time, Queen City High School held a Halloween carnival and haunted hayrides from 7 pm-10:30 pm as weather permitted. Wesley House Assisted Living Facility had a drive thorough trick or treat Saturday evening.

Linden Downtown Square Trunk or Treat was unfortunately canceled as storms moved through their area of Cass County Saturday, while Healthcare Express’ Trunk or Treat–originally planned for Wood’s Park in Atlanta–was moved to the gym at Cornerstone Assembly of God on Main Street, with worship music played between 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m at the Plaza.

Saturday also saw Calvary Tabernacle hold a harvest festival; Bloomburg Main Street’s Trunk or Treat; Linden Public House II had Jackson James Music, with reservations; And Atlanta First United Methodist Trunk or Treat was moved inside the church building, due to a deluge.

On Sunday, Oct. 30, Cross Creek Cowboy Church held an evening fall fest–as did Mcleod Tabernacle. Hughes Springs Fall festival was slated for Sunday evening, as well.

Monday, at press time, GT Church, Golden Villa, and the City of Avinger were planning to hold Trunk or Treat festivities, with Linden Texas Sno giving out free snow cones all evening until inventory ran out. Most neighborhoods in Atlanta and Linden were expected to do their ‘ trick-or-treating Monday night—As everyone knows, it’s always hard to coordinate house-to-house trick-or-treating when Halloween falls at the beginning or middle of the week.

The Harris Mercantile and Trading Company, a mom-and-pop shop in Avinger along Texas State Highway 49 arranged for a haunted house next door in their store yard that ran from October 27-31. The store is known for its high-quality merchandise and stunning antiques and is well worth a stop for those who love antiquing or are looking for hardware.

Mostly targeted at teens and young adults, the spook house didn’t disappoint with its Texas Chainsaw/ The Hills Have Eyes-styled haunt. With key players mostly being teens and youth themselves, they were able to build a maze through the yard that consisted of a few ‘body bags’ wrapped in hefty bags that one had to stumble into to get into the next phase, killer clowns greeting those who dared enter past the sign stating “No One Will Hear You Scream”. Filled with flashing lights, jump scares, and a young girl in a bridal gown holding a baby doll that sat stunningly still and mannequin-like—until you passed her and she let out a skin-crawling highpitched giggle. Signs said “Turn back now” as motorized ‘severed heads’ walked toward terrified haint house hunters—with twists and turns, taser sounds, groans, growls and grabs all the way to an ominous exit where key players chased you toward fencing at the back that marked the end of an accelerated, adrenaline, nerve-wracking, haunt that succeeded in its frightening endeavor.

Hughes Springs held what was referred to by some as an even more frightening haunted house endeavor, which also included a maze attraction. Many of their proceeds went to a local charity, Charlie’s Angels Pet Rescue. Their frighteningly fun and morbid maze, as well as hellishly haunted house events, were open every Saturday in October.

With so many events held in Cass County during the holidays, it is sometimes hard for Journal-Sun staff to make every event. Our staff greatly regrets when we miss an event. If only there were more hours in the day! Please, if you would like for us to come to an event, don’t hesitate to contact staff at reporter@casscountynow.com.

Feel free to email the same account if you’d like to send photos from an event you’ve had that a staff member was unable to make it to. The Citizen Journal- Sun is just that–a citizen newspaper, for citizens and by citizens.

We exist to serve you local news, and we love to get citizen input, guidance and help in covering our large county, sincerely.