By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

HOOVER—Celebrate Halloween with the city of Hoover at the annual Hoover Hayride and Family Night at Veterans Park on Oct. 29 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The free event offers fun for the whole family, including balloon twisters, face painting and a 15-minute hayride through Veterans Park.

“We’ll have hayrides around the park, there will be various exhibits set up in the wooded area for (families) to look at during the ride,” Hoover Events Coordinator Erin Colbaugh said.

Seasonal and Halloween-themed movies will be played throughout the night on an inflatable screen provided by Covenant Classical School.

Various vendors, including Jim ‘n Nick’s, Chick-Fil-A, Papa Johns, Urban Pops and Repicci’s will be on hand selling food, beverages and sweet treats.

Kids are encouraged to come in costume to trick-or-treat from more than 70 Hoover business booths that will be set up in a large exhibitor area.

“Kids can go see each booth and see each business,” Colbaugh said. “There is plenty of candy for all.”

The Hoover Hayride and Family Night is a six-year city tradition, and has grown more popular with time. For the past few years the event has drawn between 8,000 and 10,000 people to Veterans Park.

“It’s a fun little time,” Colbaugh said of the family event.

Admission, hayrides and activities are all free. Parking for the Hoover Hayride will be available at Spain Park High School, and the city will provide complimentary shuttle service from the parking lot to Veterans Park.