City Scraps Halloween Event Ahead Of Record Cold Forecast
Oct 29, 2019, 10:55 PM
RIVERTON, Utah — A barren playground with a bitter breeze is not what Riverton City Park was supposed to look or sound like Tuesday night.
“I was thinking it was quite empty,” said Mandy Tippets from inside her car, moments after pulling up to the park. “Apparently everybody else knew, but we didn’t.”
Tippets and her family were among a handful of people who braved the cold, expecting to enjoy the city’s annual Halloween Bash and Scare Rodeo.
“Yeah I wore my warm hat, scarf and I have gloves,” said Tara Kraatz, who’s been attending the event for six years. “I take my nephew every year and we were going to take his brother for the first time. They were all excited. And we got here. And now it’s canceled. Big bummer.”
Much of the state was expecting record cold temperatures Tuesday night into Wednesday, prompting places like Lagoon to close its doors early for the season. Another popular Halloween destination, Fear Factory, decided to close its doors for those two days and then reopen on Halloween night.
Riverton city wrote on its Facebook page, “Due to frigid weather concerns we feel it is necessary to cancel the event. We apologize for any inconveniences!” The city is offering a full refund for those who already purchased tickets to the event by calling the city’s recreation department.
Attention! Riverton staff is sad to announce that tonight's Halloween Bash and Scare Rodeo has been canceled. Due to…
Posted by Riverton City Government on Tuesday, October 29, 2019
“All I can say is I don’t like it and it’s too early to be this weather,” Tippets’ son Connor said.
Asked why the freezing temperatures hadn’t scared her away, Kraatz responded, “Because I had made a promise.”
They weren’t the only ones disappointed. For the second year in a row, the Riverton Rough Riders planned to use the event as a fundraiser for the club.
“It was really busy last year. This year, not so much,” said club president Angie West. “Some of the kids were very upset.”
The Rough Riders were at the park on Monday for night one of the Halloween event, but West said it was slow because of the cold weather. And it only got colder on Tuesday.
“Definitely won’t make a lot of money,” West said as she and others packed up games and food. “Mixed feelings because we didn’t want to freeze but, you know, it would have been nice to have the extra day.”
“Now we’re looking for something else to do for the kids,” Tippets said.
Something that is likely somewhere away from the frigid and empty outdoors.
“It’s awful. It’s too early to be this cold,” she said.
