Halloween festivities have taken over several cities in Texas, attracting residents and visitors to a variety of celebrations and economic activities. In a ceremonial gesture, Denton Mayor Gerard Hudspeth renamed the city Halloween, Texas, for the month of October, as reported by KSAT. This transformation has resulted in daily events for all ages, including family-friendly movie screenings and tours of local haunted locations.
A phone booth covered in green ooze delivering cryptic messages and rows of tombstones are just some of the attractions drawing locals and tourists to Denton's downtown, which has seen an average of more than 200 daily visitors, not including the much busier weekends, according to Sunnye Knight, director of the visitor center for Discover Denton, in a statement obtained by The Texas Tribune. Knight noted that early data indicates tourism numbers have increased tenfold since the city adopted its ghostly name. Meanwhile, the Rio Grande Valley is also gearing up for the "Los Muertos Bailan" event in Edinburg tomorrow, an occasion that attracts thousands and significantly boosts the local economy, as shared by Magdiel Castle, assistant director of cultural arts for the city.
Alongside Denton, historic Galveston has been embracing its haunted past with ghost walks, drawing on the lore of the thousands of spirits believed to wander the city since the devastating hurricane in 1900. Chris Florance, communications director at the Texas Historical Commission, explained that events tied to historical buildings and supernatural themes are abundant and deeply embedded in local traditions, although the commission does not formally track them, as he noted in remarks made to The Texas Tribune. This emphasis on local heritage is further exemplified by the annual Day of the Dead celebrations in Edinburg, which strengthen community bonds while acknowledging cultural roots.
Throughout Texas, cities are embracing the spirit of the season, engaging locals and visitors in a mix of economic and social activities with a paranormal theme. As c noted, these festivities have a broader impact on the surrounding regions; they serve as more than just a backdrop for candy and costumes, weaving together threads of the past, present, and the spectral.
