Costumed kids and their families are welcome to visit The Exchange Event Center on Sunday, Oct. 31 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for the second annual Hay Barn Halloween Festival in the charming town of McGregor, TX.
“Last year we had 30 different businesses and groups that signed up to set up a booth and give out candy or prizes. We even had a dentist that brought toothbrushes,” said Cassie Thomas, Event Center Manager.
Between 500 and 700 people attended the festival last year, and Thomas hopes that the number of people taking advantage of this free event will continue to grow each year.
“It’s an outdoor trunk-or-treat event with appearances by the fire department and food trucks and an indoor carnival with lots of vendors,” she said.
Area businesses and organizations have helped to make the event a must-see Halloween experience, with free hot dogs, giveaways, and even full-sized candy bars.
Not only is festival set up to provide maximum fun, but it is also organized to be a safe event that families can feel good about attending.
“We are able to run everyone through the front door and serpentine them through the building and out a different door to allow for a safe experience,” Thomas said. “We have enough room inside to social distance families, and we provide masks if anybody wants them.”
The Exchange Event Center is a 3.5-acre property that contains a 15,000 square foot main hall and a 1,200 square foot private center. It can be rented by the hour or by the day for anything from birthday parties to bridal showers to high school reunions.
“We have plans to renovate a jailhouse building and to add an open-air pavilion to the property in the near future,” Thomas said.
The Exchange Event Center is located at 300 S. Jefferson Avenue, McGregor, TX 76657. To find out more about the property, visit www.exchangeeventcenter.com or contact Cassie Thomas at (254) 236-8400.
Jessa is the Editor-in-Chief of Hooray for Family and the mom of three energetic children. She has a BA in Mass Communication/Journalism from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and is a long-time resident of Central Texas. When she isn't writing and editing, she enjoys playing board games with her kids, teaching Sunday school and channeling her creativity into craft projects.
