Families haunt Longwood

Published 12:04 am Sunday, October 30, 2011

ERIC SHELTON | THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT Maria Verucchi, 7, hides behind her father, Matt Verucchi, in fear while exploring the haunted house during the Longwood Carnival Saturday evening.

Natchez — Ghostly ghouls, giant black spiders, and wispy cobwebs covered Longwood Saturday evening as pirates, princesses and Power Rangers came out for a spooky good time at Longwood’s Halloween Carnival.

Carnival goers enjoyed midway games and fun including a haunted hayride, face painting, a bouncy castle, photo booth and even a fortune teller.

Loretta and Julia Blankenstein, 2, participate in the Longwood Carnival Saturday evening.

Longwood was converted into a haunted house, which was 8-year-old Ginny Lowery’s favorite attraction at the carnival.

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“It’s scary,” she said. “There’s lots of people in there dressed up and scary.”

The carnival was a family affair for Ginny, who came with her aunt Brandy Cowan and cousins, Rebecca, 8, and 3-year-old Colby, who was dressed as a pirate.

“It says, ‘Arrrr,’” he said pointing his plastic sword in the air.

Cowan’s mother-in-law, Debbie, and her daughter, Dusti Stowers, were also out and about at the carnival. Stowers said her 1-year-old son, Gage, enjoys watching all the costumed children at the carnival.

Kimberly Sims and Chauncey Lee brought their children Blaze, 2, and Alyssia, 5, out to the carnival for the first time this year.

Alyssia was dressed as a ballerina kitty and said her favorite part of the carnival was picking out and decorating a pumpkin in the pumpkin patch.

“I put a smiley face on it,” she said.

Alyssia said she also really liked playing the beanbag toss game.

“I won this,” she said opening her Hello Kitty treat bag to reveal a prized ladybug pencil sharpener.

The carnival wasn’t just for the kids, though. A sport tent was set up to make sure dads and granddads didn’t miss Saturday football.

Devereaux Cates paints Rustin Shoemake’s face at the fall festival.

The carnival was hosted by the Pilgrimage Garden Club, and all proceeds go toward the restoration of Longwood.