Mansion festival to be more fall-oriented, than spooky
By Matt Grant
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 6:41 a.m.
Read more: Local, Community, Entertainment
JEFFERSON CITY -- After almost two decades, the governor's mansion won't turn "haunted" for Halloween this year.
Every October kids dressed in costumes have come to the governor's mansion to celebrate Halloween.
"This isn't what I normally wear to work," former Gov. Matt Blunt said at last year's Halloween event, dressed as a prince.
It's a tradition going back over 15 years. This year the Nixon's are going in a different direction, changing the trick-or-treat theme to a fall one.
"The Nixon's want to recognize that harvest time is a beautiful time of the year here in Missouri," said Nixon spokesman Scott Holste. "So let's broaden our celebration."
The first family's fall-themed festival is tied in with the Jefferson City Downtown Association's annual Harvest Fest.
"I think it's fantastic to try something new and different...the kids are still gonna have fun,” said Kathy Crow, the president of the Downtown Association. “There's gonna be plenty of games for them to do. I don't think just because we're not dressing up in Halloween costumes that that takes away from the festival."
Even though this Satuday's event will be a little less spooky, the governor's staff is still encouraging kids to come out dressed in Halloween costumes.
“The governor and the first lady are looking forward to seeing kids in all kinds of costumes," said Holste. "Meeting with the children from the Jefferson City area and their families."
While the Nixons won't be dressing up, their pet dog, Daniel Boone is. He's going as a bumble-bee.
Nixon's staff says there will be a lot of family-friendly events, like music, horse rides, and games. There will also be candy given out, tours of the mansion and a hot apple cider press.
The fall harvest festival will have events both in downtown Jefferson City and at the governor's mansion. The event is this Saturday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
