Twelfth Annual Boo Bash Exceeds ‘Wildest Expectations’

McKENZIE (October 23) — The Boo Bash, McKenzie’s long-awaited annual Halloween celebration, drew in thousands of costumed attendees Thursday.

This year marked the Boo Bash’s twelfth year at McKenzie’s downtown square and the most audacious yet, blocking traffic from all sides of the square to make room for trunk-or-treating, “haunted” train rides and more.

Each year, Jennifer Waldrup from the City of McKenzie and Myra Carlock from Bethel University host Boo Bash as a way to give back to the community and give Bethel University students an opportunity to get to know the community of people who they are around every day for the entirety of their college careers.

“We never know, from year to year, what to expect. I think it exceeds our wildest expectations every year, and we couldn’t be more grateful,” said Carlock, Boo Bash co-founder and Bethel University director of university events and campus operations.

This year, Carlock said the Boo Bash attracted over 4,000 attendees.

The costume contest featured five categories. Winners were:

Tiny Terrors (0-2 years): First Place - Walker and Weston White; Second Place - Holland and Clark Thompson; and Third Place - Braxton Frederick.

Small Spooks (3-5 years): First Place - Matti Bennett; Second Place - Penelope Peachey; and Third Place - Sofia Cruz.

Middle Monsters (6-9 years): First Place - Lane Coleman; Second Place - Isaac Cruz; and Third Place - Hannah Jackson.

Older Ogres (10-14): First Place - Korrt Doyle; Second Place - Piper Porter; and Third Place - Uriah Welti.

Fearsome Families: First Place - Kerri Beth Arnold and Korrt Doyle; Second Place - Jacklyn and Heather Townes; and Third Place - Jason, Auggie and Megan Cole.

Prizes were awarded to the three best trunk displays: First Place - Delta Phi Nu/Wizard of Oz; Second Place - Bethel Chemistry Club/Princess Bride; and Third Place - Bethel Association of Music/Scooby Doo.