Flatwoods, Kentucky Harvest & Scare FestHauntingly Good Times Await

Flatwoods, Kentucky Harvest & Scare Fest

Hauntingly Good Times Await

Gideon Thompson

The Ashland Beacon

Spooky season is just around the corner, filled with delightful treats and the familiar cool autumn air that arrives each year. Pumpkin spice lattes will soon begin covering desks and countertops nationwide as we pull our sweaters and jackets out of the closet, dusting them off for another season. As we pass through stores, we'll begin to see the quintessential smiling pumpkins in windows and doorways, signifying that the time has come once again for ghosts and fairies to romp through the streets as they trick-or-treat alongside their families. As fall approaches, the question may arise: Where do all the traditions we observe each year come from?

Pumpkins and other gourds play a major role in harvest season as we prepare for the cold weather while enjoying the fruits of our labor. Turnips and potatoes, however, were the original jack-o'-lanterns, carved by children and their loved ones before being filled with candlelight to help Stingy Jack find his way. The legend of Stingy Jack dates back somewhere between the 1700s and 1800s. Jack is said to have wandered the streets and villages of Ireland, causing mischief and rousing those he encountered. The tale of Stingy Jack takes a turn toward empowerment as he is depicted tricking the devil himself multiple times by seeking refuge in holy places that he knew he could use to his advantage. To this day, Stingy Jack is honored through traditions dating back to the Celtic Samhain festivals and continuing into modern Halloween celebrations.

The representation of Jack and his guiding light is still present today, having shifted from turnips to pumpkins because of their vibrant color, shape, and size, which make them the perfect carving medium. While the jack-o'-lantern may hail from the tales of Jack haunting the Irish streets of his time, pumpkins themselves came to North America thousands of years ago and were cultivated by Native Americans as a food source around 8,000 years ago. When Pilgrims arrived in the New World, they quickly adopted pumpkins into their daily lives because they were hardy, nutritious, and abundant. Pumpkins typically ripen just as fall begins, making them an ideal harvest crop for the season's festivals.

As pumpkin guts go flying, remember that a candle or glowing light may just help Stingy Jack find his way to your front porch. Speaking of pumpkin guts, it's almost that time of year! The Harvest & Scare Fest, hosted by the City of Flatwoods, is just a couple of months away.

Scheduled for Saturday, October 17, from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the City of Flatwoods, Kentucky, is inviting everyone to join in the fun. The festival will take place at Flatwoods City Park, located at 2513 Reed St., where there will be plenty of exciting activities to enjoy.

Pumpkin guts are absolutely expected as a massive, giant, candy-filled pumpkin will be dropped from extraordinary heights. Inflatables and carnival games will be available with free admission to the public, along with costume contests. Cake walks, pie-eating contests, hayrides, a glow-stick rave, and a haunted house are all planned for the day. The haunted house will be free until 7:00 p.m. As darkness falls and the atmosphere becomes even spookier, admission will be $10, with proceeds benefiting the event.

Feel like decorating and showing off your skills? A tablescape contest will allow participants to decorate spooky-themed tables for their dining companions, while crafters can register to showcase their artistic talents. The Greenup County Health Department will be on-site sharing information and goodies with festivalgoers, and Walgreens will be offering flu shots as the community enters flu season.

For future dispatchers and emergency service enthusiasts, the Greenup County 911 Command Center will provide an interactive display, giving visitors a firsthand look into the world of emergency communications and dispatch technology. With so many interactive booths to explore, there's guaranteed to be something for everyone.

Then there are the vendors who return to the Harvest & Scare Fest each year. From handcrafted goods to homemade sweet treats, there is always more than enough to satisfy even the hungriest festival ghoul.

Speaking of vendors, registration for the Harvest & Scare Fest is completely free for anyone interested in participating. With plenty of time to prepare, vendors are encouraged to gather their ideas and register early to secure their spots.

Vendor registration is available on the Flatwoods city website. Any questions can be answered by contacting the City of Flatwoods through its Facebook page or by calling 606-606.836.9661. Remember to stock up for all the hungry trick-or-treaters and parents who will work up an appetite during the festivities. Local businesses, specialty vendors, arts and crafts exhibitors, boutique retailers, and nonprofit organizations are all welcome and play an important role in making the event a success each year.

If candy, pumpkin guts, and a sea of costumes all in one place sound like your kind of fun, the Flatwoods Harvest & Scare Fest could be the perfect place to kick off Halloween in style. Who knows? You might even catch a glimpse of ol' Stingy Jack and his glowing jack-o'-lantern wandering through the festival grounds.

Break out the brooms and light those candles—it's time once again for the Flatwoods, Kentucky, Harvest & Scare Fest!