City to close down portion of Broad St. for ‘Boo on Broad’ Halloween trick or treating

The Cairo-Grady County Chamber of Commerce, Archway Partnership and downtown Cairo merchants and businesses are pulling together to plan for “Boo on Broad.” The Halloween event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. in the central business district.
Chamber Executive Vice President Jennifer Majors shared the plans with the Cairo mayor and council Monday night.
Downtown merchants and businesses have given out candy and treats to little ghouls and goblins on Halloween, but the chamber and the Archway Partnership are hoping to expand on the event and to market it so that it will attract shoppers to downtown stores and businesses.
“This is all designed to draw people downtown,” Mrs. Majors said.
She said “Boo on Broad” would expand from just passing out candy to special promotions and decorative storefront window displays.
According to Mrs. Majors, the majority of the merchants and businesses contacted about “Boo on Broad” are supportive, but they recommended the street be closed to traffic to make the event safer for children.
“It can be hectic downtown on Halloween. In fact, it is dangerous for kids who dart out in the street. Thankfully, no one has been hurt,” Mrs. Majors said.
After discussing the prospect of closing a section of Broad Street for the downtown affair, the council voted unanimously to close Broad Street from the intersection of First Avenue N.E. to the intersection of Second Avenue S.E./M.L. King Jr. Avenue S.W. from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Mrs. Majors said she had hoped to close the street all the way north to Roddenbery Memorial Library, but said she was satisfied with the council’s decision.
More information on “Boo on Broad” will be published in the coming weeks leading up to Halloween.