Conway opened its monthlong City of Halloween celebration on Thursday, Oct. 1, with the Big Boo-Ginning costume parade, concert, and contest in the downtown historic district.
Costumed marchers checked in at 6 p.m. at the Fourth Avenue Riverwalk entrance on Kingston Street. The parade stepped off at 7 p.m., traveling from Kingston Street to Third Avenue, then along Laurel Street to the Town Green at 200 Laurel St.
Ghoul Vibrations played a live set at the Town Green after the march. Organizers also ran a costume contest with cash prizes, and winners were announced after the concert.
For the fourth straight year, Conway has renamed itself the City of Halloween for October. Last year's festival drew more than 450,000 visitors, and the calendar of markets, haunted attractions, ghost walks, and river cruises continues through the end of the month.