Spooktacular Times in Conway, the City of Halloween!
Every year, the charming town of Conway transforms into a magical land full of ghostly ghouls and festive frights for the beloved Halloween season. This year, the decorations have taken things to a whole new level, and let me tell you, they are simply jaw-dropping!
Floating Pirate Ships and Eerie Attractions
One of the main attractions that is grabbing everyone’s attention is a floating pirate ship, manned by some eerily captivating undead pirates. Can you imagine strolling through downtown and coming across that sight? The excitement doesn’t stop there; a fantastic Frankenstein creation has also taken center stage, flanked by faux tesseracts that look like they jumped straight out of a sci-fi movie. It’s an absolute treat for the eyes!
On one particular day, October 19, downtown Conway saw a surge of approximately 17,000 visitors who all came to soak in the Halloween vibes. These enthusiastic guests joined in the fun with the city’s total visitor count reaching a staggering 235,000 for the month of October! It marked an incredible increase of 21% compared to last year and a whopping 50.2% rise since 2022. Talk about a Halloween boom!
A Quality of Life Event
City Council member William Goldfinch couldn’t have put it better when he described October in Conway as “a fantastic quality of life event.” It really is a joyful time where not only the youngsters but also our beloved seniors can feel the excitement. Hillary Howard from Conway Downtown Alive noted a delightful 40% increase in visitors at the city’s visitor center, stating, “We are seeing many new faces.” How wonderful is that?
Even City Manager Adam Emrick chimed in on the excitement, describing this year’s turnout as a “staggering number of people.” But here’s a fun tidbit: the October crowd outsized the city’s December festivities! While the Christmas season brought in 175,000 visitors last year, 2023’s October surpassed that number, making the Halloween celebrations a sure favorite among locals and tourists!
A Ghostly Economic Impact
It’s not just the spooky decorations that create smiles. The economic boost is something to celebrate as well! Many restaurants reported a delightful 10% to 12% increase in business thanks to the bustling crowds. Some retailers smartly stayed open during the hours of 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and their sales numbers reflected the boost. The manager of Coastal Carolina’s Teal Nation store on Main Street proudly shared that the October increase “reinforces our decision to locate downtown.”
It’s clear the spirit of Halloween in downtown Conway is more than just decorations; it’s a wonderful opportunity for connection and community spirit. Residents are buzzing with excitement! A local from Little River spoke highly about the whimsical sight of pumpkins nestled in trees. And let’s not forget the seniors who look forward to this special time of year months in advance, happily reminiscing about the delightful decorations from last year.
Cheers to Spooky Fun!
So, hats off to City Manager Emrick and the hardworking staff who have made Conway’s Halloween the talk of the town! With vibrant displays and lively foot traffic, it’s no wonder that Halloween is viewed as an overwhelming success. The future is bright as Conway solidifies its status as a must-visit destination for this hauntingly beautiful season.
Wouldn’t you agree that a trip to Conway during Halloween is a perfectly spooky way to celebrate? Grab your friends and family, and hop on over to check out the eerie sights and enjoy the festive spirit that has everyone talking!
