Inside Perry, Georgia
Inside Perry, Georgia
Scarecrows, Beer Tastings, and Halloween Fun: Exploring Historic Downtown Perry's Fall Events
Historic Downtown Perry transforms into a vibrant hub of seasonal festivities throughout October with themed scarecrows, beer tastings, and family-friendly Halloween events!
We explore the exciting lineup of fall activities that bring the community together while showcasing the unique character and businesses of Perry.
• Scarecrow Festival runs all October featuring 37+ storybook-themed displays throughout downtown with public voting via QR codes
• Downtown Beer Tasting on October 17th offers 20 sampling stations, live music, and a commemorative cup for $50, benefiting the Main Street Advisory Board
• Ghouls Night Out extended shopping hours on October 30th (5-8pm) with special promotions and downtown businesses open late
• Sweets and Treats provides safe Halloween trick-or-treating downtown on October 31st from 4-6pm with 34+ candy stations
• Perry Farmers Market runs every Saturday year-round (9am-1pm), with special Second Saturday Artisan Showcases beginning in October
• Fall events are just the beginning, with the holiday season bringing even more activities to Historic Downtown Perry
Be sure to follow Historic Downtown Perry on Facebook and Instagram for event updates and details, or visit perry-ga.gov and click the downtown link at the top of the page.
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Visit us at perry-ga.gov.
We hope to see you around in our amazing community...Where Georgia Comes Together.
Welcome to the Inside Perry Podcast, where you get an inside look at Perry, Georgia's local government. We're glad you chose Perry, where people make the difference. Whether you stay a few hours or a lifetime, your time in Perry will be rewarding and unforgettable. I'm Tabitha Clark, Communications Director for the City of Perry. And welcome back to the Inside Perry, Georgia podcast. Today we are talking about one of my absolute favorite times of year, which is the fall. But a second reason for my favorite time of year is because historic downtown Perry, it literally lights up and just comes to life with some great fall events that we have. So today we're talking with downtown manager Alicia Hartley. Hey Tabitha, thanks for having me. Sure. So let's get right into it because this is downtown's busy season or the start of downtown's busy season.
SPEAKER_01:This kicks it off and we are nonstop till the end of December. That's right.
SPEAKER_00:It's just a little train track. Keep going. One of my favorites is the annual downtown Perry Scarecrow Fest. Yes. It's hard to have one favorite when we're talking about October in downtown. It is, it is. So let's, for those that have no idea what Scarecrow Fest is, give us a little taste of what's going on.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah. So this is an opportunity. It originally started with just our businesses located in downtown, um, where they put up a scarecrow in front of their shop or their business or their restaurant, just to help us decorate and get in that fall feel. Um, but over the years, it has grown and expanded that we um accept registrations for scarecrows from anyone that's interested in doing it. They don't have to have a business in downtown Perry or in Perry alone. Like it could be a business or an organization from the greater Houston County area. We've had um families and like uh homeschool co-ops sign up to do a creative scarecrow. It really just gets your creative juices flowing, and then the more scarecrows downtown, the better.
SPEAKER_00:And we're not talking about your traditional scarecrow that you see, like kind of the generic one, right?
SPEAKER_01:Nah, it's it's not the ones that just have the hay out of the hands and like a floppy hat. These the businesses and organizations that do these, they really go all out, get involved, get invested. I mean, we've seen anything from like a straw dog be a scarecrow before. Oh, I love that one to like butterfly, Corilla Deville, Corella Deville, a beautiful, like autumn goddess looking by landmark realty. I mean, you can really get anything in downtown when it comes to Scarecrow Fest. But one thing we've done this year to kind of tailor it and make it even more special is we've added a theme to it. Yes. So all of our scarecrows will be following the theme of storybook characters. So cute. Just think of your favorite childhood nursery rhyme, the favorite storybook you grew up, like reading at bedtime every night, or even the newer books. I know we're gonna have a Pete the Cat on the street. That's gonna be so much fun. So, I mean, literally anything you can imagine, the classics of like Humpty Dumpty. We've got some Harry Potter characters that'll show up in downtown. Um, so any storybook character that you can imagine, there's a chance they're gonna be downtown this October.
SPEAKER_00:That's great. So we talked about this is happening in October. So is it a certain time of October or how can people come and visit?
SPEAKER_01:Yes. So Scarecrows will go up at like late September. So from October 1 to October 31st, you will be able to see over 37 scarecrows placed throughout downtown.
SPEAKER_00:And I think there's a voting option too as well. Yes.
SPEAKER_01:So we will be doing a voting via a QR code and a passport this year. That'll be an opportunity for you to vote for your top three favorite scarecrows that you see located in downtown Perry. So you'll be able to vote for up to three. You can vote for one if you want, but you'll have you can pick your top three via our voting platform this year. And all of our scarecrows that are placed downtown will have information on how to vote, the QR code that needs to get scanned so that you can participate in that voting process. And I'm proud to share that over the past couple of years that we've continued to do Scarecrow Fest, our numbers are increasing year after year. Yes. Um, so back in 2023, we had 24 scarecrows, and this year at in 2025, we have over 37.
SPEAKER_00:Oh, it's gonna be it's just gonna be packed and it's gonna be fun. Yeah, you know, just seeing all of that creativity in while you're walking down historic downtown Perry. I mean, it's gonna put you in the fall spirit.
SPEAKER_01:Oh, 100%. Even if it's still 80 degrees outside. That's right. It'll feel like fall. Yeah, we can pretend it'll feel like fall downtown just like by using by seeing everything decorated. Um, so this is a great activity for families that might be staying local over fall break for our citizens and residents that aren't traveling over the Houston County School fall break. Come check out Downtown Perry, you know, maybe grab a quick bite to eat while you're downtown or shopping and bring the kids and check out all the scarecrows that that tell of the storybook tales.
SPEAKER_00:Historic Downtown Perry has a Facebook and an Instagram and, of course, the website. So we'll make sure that we put the um instructions on how to uh participate in the voting there. So make sure you give them a follow and a like. That'll be awesome. Yes. So also in October is the Historic Downtown Perry beer tasting. Yes. So this is actually another fundraiser similar to wine tasting, correct?
SPEAKER_01:Exactly. So um this is going to be our fall fundraiser for the Main Street Advisory Board, just like the wine tasting, and it'll operate very similarly. So we'll explain the details of that in just a second. But these fundraising events that are done in downtown in support of the Main Street Advisory Board go towards their project efforts of beautification, placemaking activities, and promotions that help support our downtown businesses. Any sort of giveaways we do with downtown dollars around the holiday season or during the summer months, the support and the funds that are raised from this go towards all those projects. So the funds that are raised are put right back into downtown Perry to support our businesses, to support our merchants, and to support the beautiful place that we loved people to come visit.
SPEAKER_00:That's right. And it's doing so well so far. Because it's absolutely beautiful. Yes. Even though we're a little biased, it's still the truth. Yes. So beer tasting. So let's talk about that.
SPEAKER_01:Yes. So how it works, it's gonna, if you've if you've attended our wine tasting over the past 10 years, it's gonna be the exact same model and flow, but instead of sampling wine, you'll sample a variety of beers or seltzers or ciders or meads, anything within that beer family is gonna kind of be something that you can find at this event on October 17th. So we will have 20 beer stops that you'll be able to sample from while you are walking around downtown Perry. It is a$50 ticket to get you to participate in all those samplings. And then there's live music. You'll get a tasting passport that so you can stamp all your stops and know how many stops that you've hit along the way. And you also get a custom beer cup, a custom event tasting cup sponsored by Coss Heart Design for this event. So that's where all your samples will go. It's a cute little like acrylic mug, like it looks like a little beer, beer stein or a little beer mug.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, and it's reusable just like our little wine tasting. Exactly. It's a souvenir to take home when you're done with the event. That's right, that's right. So, where can people go to purchase tickets?
SPEAKER_01:Yes, tickets are available online through ticket sign up. Please only purchase your tickets online, and that's the safest, most secure way to get your ticket. It's a$50 ticket, and there's also a link on our Facebook and website for downtown. Tickets are in limited availability, so I encourage everybody to get them fast. You know, historically, our wine tasting sells out. We're expecting the same thing from this one. So if this is something that you're interested for a good, elegant fall night in downtown Perry, go ahead and secure those tickets as soon as possible so that you can participate in all of the samples and all that there is to offer.
SPEAKER_00:And that's an experience that no one else can offer together.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, it's really unique because you get to walk the streets of downtown. We close the streets so it's safe for all of our attendees. We, like I said, we put live music on the lawn. Our band's gonna be Company of Crows based out of here in Houston County. Yes, like a local favorite. So it's a great opportunity to come out and enjoy an elegant fall evening in downtown. And if you're looking to make sure that you can get home safely, we do offer a courtesy shuttle that's to get you home safely, that's operated by our police department, and it'll take you anywhere you you need to go within the city limits.
SPEAKER_00:Yes, so you can have fun and depend on them for a safe ride home. That's right. Awesome. So let's switch gears a little bit and talk about ghouls night out. Yes. Yes. So that is kind of a different type of vibe for downtown.
SPEAKER_01:So this is an extended shopping hours. That's what we're going for. We are going for a shop late right at the holiday season. So the idea is you grab your girls for a girl's night out or a ghoul's night out. Ghouls, yes. Yes. And you come downtown and you go shopping. Right now we got over 10 businesses that are participating in this shop late night. So these businesses will be open from the hours of 5 to 8 p.m. So if you if you have a typical job where it's hard for you to get to downtown Perry on a weekday night, this is your chance. This is gonna be a great opportunity. You know, Scarecrow Fest will still be running. So we'll have all of our scarecrows downtown. Downtown will still be decorated. We'll get our corn stocks up on our light post. So you'll really be able to be in that fall Halloween spirit downtown. A lot of our businesses and retail businesses offer sort of promotions. I was about to say the drawings.
SPEAKER_00:The discounts are amazing.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, they do fun like drawings to like draw for a discount or a raffle prize, or with each purchase, you get a raffle ticket. Like they do certain certain promotions and giveaways to support this shop late initiative to make it beneficial for everyone that's coming.
SPEAKER_00:And not to forget, our restaurants, they usually do some really fun things. Yes.
SPEAKER_01:Tratteria's told me that they're doing uh a drink special that night. They I know that they're getting ready to release some fall specials, drink specials like sangrias and stuff like that.
SPEAKER_00:Perfect opportunity.
SPEAKER_01:With our open container district downtown, you're able to grab a drink from any of our businesses downtown at a plastic cup and keep your evening moving along.
SPEAKER_00:Oh gosh. And I know that the ghouls always love to gather and just have a great time.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, last year we saw a group of ladies come from out of town, they're all wearing matching t-shirts and just wanted to come shop late with us one night. Exactly what it's meant for. Exactly. They they hit the mark. That's right.
SPEAKER_00:Have fun with it. So tell us again when ghoul's night out is.
SPEAKER_01:Yes, so this is gonna be on Thursday, October 30th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This is the perfect opportunity to come shop late downtown on a weeknight. Perfect.
SPEAKER_00:Okay, so one of our favorite, there's that word again, of downtown is what we like to call candy and chaos, right? So we're talking about the annual sweets and treats event in historic downtown Perry. So, Alicia, give us give us all the details on that one.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, let me give you the rundown on sweets and treats. So, this is an opportunity where kids can wear their Halloween costumes in downtown and trick-or-treat in a very safe environment. We close the streets to cars downtown. We get our downtown businesses come and give out candies and treats, and then we invite other businesses that are interested in setting up a booth to pass out more candies, more trinkets, more treats. Sweets and treats, that's what it's about. This event this year is on Friday, October 31st. It is on Halloween, but it's from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. So it's before those traditional neighborhood trick-or-treating hours. Right. So you can come downtown, do stop one of Halloween trick-or-treating, and then go back to your neighborhoods and go trick-or-treating with all your neighbors from the typical six to eight time frame.
SPEAKER_00:Double the fun.
SPEAKER_01:That's right, double the fun. Our registration for this, we are still accepting people that are interested in passing out candy, okay. Is open until October 20th. So we got a little bit more time for that. So if your business is interested, business or organization, like a nonprofit organization is interested in passing out flyers or opportunity to the adults and then passing out, you know, spider rings or candy to the kids that are there trick-or-treating, this is a perfect outreach opportunity for anyone that might be interested. Right now we have 34 organizations that are going to be setting up, passing out tricks and treats.
SPEAKER_00:But we can always use more, right?
SPEAKER_01:Always use more. I mean, we have we have had over 4,000 of our closest family friends and neighbors in historic downtown Perry over a span of two hours to come trick-or-treating with us. So it is a sight to be seen.
SPEAKER_00:Oh, yeah. And the really cool part, um, especially in years past, is the whole family will dress up.
SPEAKER_01:Yes, it's not just the kids. It's not just the kids dressing up. You get the whole family dressing up. I mean, I've seen, you know, you get all the Toy Story characters. Yes. And then like our businesses and organizations that participate too. They all get dressed up. I've seen like all the witches and wizards for Harry Potter have have dressed up before when they're giving out candy and and trinkets to kids.
SPEAKER_00:And the blow-up dinosaur. Yeah. I don't know how they gave out candy and that, but the blow-up minion running around the streets of Carol.
SPEAKER_01:Like, you know what I mean? Like, you just get all sorts of things.
SPEAKER_00:It's just, it's another way to just cap off the Halloween season. That's right. Yes.
SPEAKER_01:We're very busy in October. Yes.
SPEAKER_00:Yes. And that's not even counting the Christmas, but stay tuned for another podcast episode soon about all the things going on.
SPEAKER_01:We gotta talk about the holidays and a whole and a whole nother episode. That's right.
SPEAKER_00:We need two parts just to cover it. So we have all this going on in October in historic downtown Perry. So, but what's the one constant thing that's always there throughout the whole year?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah. Throughout the whole year, you can find the Perry Farmers Market every Saturday in downtown Perry from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the corner of Ball and Main Street. And we have some wonderful, reliable vendors that are there. I mean, really, the fall season's the best time to go out to the farmer's market because I mean you get you still get some really great fresh produce, but the weather is enjoyable to go shopping on your Saturday morning. It's always preferable. Yes, yes. The cooler weather's always better. And something that we're excited to roll out in partnership with the farmers market beginning in October is a second Saturday artisan showcase. So on the second Saturdays of October, November, and December, we'll be doing an expanded market behind City Hall along Main Street in that parking lot for some additional artisans, baked good vendors, and things like that that we can't normally accommodate on a regular Saturday. Right. So as we gear up for the holiday season, people are starting to think about shopping for gifts and things like that. We wanted we wanted to give some of our local artisans another outlet to meet some customers. So if you're looking for something to do on a typical Saturday, always join us at the Perry Farmers Market at the corner of Ball and Maine.
SPEAKER_00:Awesome. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday. So so Alicia, like I said, we'll have to do this in two parts, but the historic downtown Perry, this is just when it thrives. Yes. Yes.
SPEAKER_01:So you're just cutting the surface on the second half of the year, basically. Exactly. Exactly.
SPEAKER_00:So regardless of what time of year it is, we always welcome you to historic downtown Perry, but especially during the holiday season, there's just something super magical about that. So just to recap, you know, Scarecrow Fest happening uh all of October. We got the beer tasting on October 17th. Uh tickets are very limited, so you want to make sure that you secure your ticket for that and have a unique experience in historic downtown Perry. And then, of course, Ghoul's Night Outs is one of our come shopping with us. All right, come shopping, enjoy the cocktails, the retail sales, and just that really fun atmosphere down in historic downtown Perry. And then, of course, our sweets and treats where everybody just comes together. We do candy. For those that you can't do candy, a lot of other uh merchants will also do either bouncy balls or something that's non-candy related that happens on October 31st. And of course, every Saturday we can look at the farmers market and visit them from 9 to 1 p.m. There's something for everyone. There is starting in October. There is a little bit of everything. Yes. So as mentioned before, give Historic Downtown Perry a like and a follow on Facebook and Instagram. And of course, the website. You can go to peri-ga.gov and then click on that downtown link at the very top of the page. And of course, we'll have a lot of this in the show notes. But be sure to give them a like and follow. So, Alicia, I'm gonna let you go because I know that you have a ton of work to do. Awesome. Well, stay tuned again for uh another episode featuring Alicia and all the great things happening in historic downtown Perry. Thanks for listening to the Inside Perry Podcast, your inside look at Perry's local government. Take a look at the show notes for more information about today's episode. If you like Inside Perry, we encourage you to subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family. We look forward to seeing you around in our amazing community where Georgia comes together.