By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
Val Verde County will host its annual Halloween event on the grounds of the historic Val Verde
County Courthouse, 400 Pecan St., on Friday, Oct. 24.
The county’s Halloween Maze Fright Night is free to the community, and it will last from 6 p.m.
to 9 p.m. Twenty vendors, including food trucks and toy vendors, will be set up on Pecan Street
and the lawn outside the courthouse.
Juanita Barrera, the county’s human resources director, said the
event is spearheaded by Val
Verde County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. and the county commissioners. Barrera also said she,
Alexa Castillo, one of Barrera’s assistants in the human resources department, and Tatiana
Mata, a member of the county clerk’s staff, have been in charge of coordinating the event.
One of the biggest attractions at the event is the Halloween Maze, which is put together by the
county’s building maintenance department. Barrera said the crew has been working on the
maze all week. High school and college students will volunteer on Friday to help bring the maze
to life inside with jump scares and ghoulish costumes.
Barrera added that this year, the maze will have a new design with a roof to create a darker
atmosphere when people go through it. She also encourages people to show up early if they
want to go inside the maze, saying the lines can get long.
Barrera said lots of candy will be handed out by the county employees, with different county
offices setting up their own spooky stations around the courthouse, and she encourages
children to dress in costume. She said the Fright Night event has gotten to become a “really, really big success” over the years.
“I want the community to come out and enjoy (the event) and have a good time,” Barrera said.
The popular Halloween event is put together voluntarily by county employees, and Barrera said
her staff always shows up to help and have a good time. She also said a lot of staff have also
helped during the week by putting up decorations at the courthouse to make the festivities feel
more special.
Barrera also asks people to be respectful of the vendors and the property around the
courthouse. She also said the county is still accepting vendors who still want to join the event.
