DeSoto to host Spookapalooza

FORT PAYNE, Ala.— Grab your costume because it is time for Desoto State Park to host its annual Halloween event, Spookapalooza, Oct. 30-November 1, 2015. Spookapalooza, which is free to the public, will feature Halloween-themed activities for all ages.

“This is our biggest event of the year,” said Desoto State Park Naturalist Brittney Hughes. “We are always very excited to see families having fun participating in all of the events our volunteers have worked so hard to prepare.”

Festivities get started Friday, Oct. 30, with a thrilling storytelling campfire talk featuring JSU Field School’s Renee Morrison and friends with stories about growing up on a dairy farm in Choccolocco, Alabama.

Saturday Oct. 31, the fun will continue. At JSU’s Little River Canyon Center Vicky Beckham Smith of A-Z ANIMALS presents Bats Alive! from 11:00-12:00. The Canyon center is located about 10 miles away from DeSoto State Park. Starting at 2 p.m. Desoto State Park volunteers and staff are hosting pumpkin decorating and other fun games and activities. After that, those brave enough to stick around can then begin trick-or-treating in the improved campground. From 5 -6 p.m. Vicky Beckham Smith returns to present Bats Alive, starting at 6 p.m. in the campfire ring.

This presentation is sponsored by Friends of the Little River Canyon National Preserve, JSU Field Schools and DeSoto State Park. A fun critter show at 9:00 a.m. the next morning with Cheaha State Park Naturalist Mandy Pearson concludes the spooky festivities Park officials invite guests to bring their own chairs and blankets to the storytelling campfire talks as seating is limited. Guests wishing to stay overnight in the park should make reservations early by going to www.ALAPARK.com or by calling 1-800-ALAPARK.