When the Historic El Reno Foundation announced it could not host its longtime Halloween Spooktacular and Christmas Parade because of funding shortfalls and organizational changes, many residents feared losing two cherished community traditions. Long‑time El Reno resident Misty Rodden described the news as “a big deal down here” and said the cancellations “broke my heart.”
City steps in with school partnership for Halloween
To keep the Halloween festivities alive, the city of El Reno quickly forged a partnership with El Reno Public Schools. The schools will incorporate the event into their annual “Haunt the High” program, which transforms the historic high school—over a century old—into a haunted house for the evening.
“So, the city is happy to partner with the El Reno school public system and join their annual ‘Haunt the High,’” said Lyndsay Bayne, public information and marketing manager for the city. “Our historical high school is over 100 years old, and they decorate it as a haunted house.” The Halloween Spooktacular is scheduled for Oct. 30 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., offering families a safe, family‑friendly evening of costumes, treats, and community spirit.
Local church takes over Christmas Parade
For the Christmas Parade, a local church stepped forward to fill the gap left by the foundation. “We took the Christmas parade over last year. This will be the city of El Reno’s second year hosting the event, and this year we’re announcing the theme as ‘12 Days of Christmas,’” Bayne added. The parade will showcase local bands, school floats, and community groups, reinforcing the town’s holiday traditions.
Rodden expressed relief that both events will continue. “That’s something that this town needs: positive encouragement, positive reinforcement, positive things happening,” she said.
Foundation still supports community efforts
Although the Historic El Reno Foundation will not host the holiday events this year, it remains supportive of the groups stepping in. The foundation also confirmed that its annual Burger Day celebration will return next year, providing another reason for residents to gather and celebrate local heritage.
These collaborative efforts illustrate how El Reno’s civic leaders, schools, and faith‑based organizations can work together to preserve traditions that bind families and neighbors. By mobilizing resources quickly, the city ensured that the Halloween Spooktacular and Christmas Parade will remain highlights of the community calendar, reinforcing the town’s commitment to family‑centered celebrations and shared values.
What’s next?
City officials encourage residents to attend both events, volunteer where possible, and share feedback to help improve future celebrations. The partnership model may serve as a template for other towns facing similar funding challenges, demonstrating that local collaboration can safeguard beloved customs without sacrificing quality or safety.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
