Due to the threat of inclement weather for the weekend, outdoor activities have been canceled for the Fall Festival, which will be presented Saturday by the Orlando D. Reed Sr. Foundation.
The event was scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Saturday in Mattocks Park and was to have included a variety of outdoor activities, including a bounce house, hayrides, games, free candy and other "spooky treats."
Orlando Reed Jr. said organizers made the call to cancel activities in the park upon learning that thunderstorms are expected to move into the area late Friday night and last throughout the day Saturday before easing into light rain on Sunday.
Reed said he was disappointed that the schedule for the inaugural Fall Festival had to be revised and the bulk of the activities canceled.
"I really wanted to give the community and the kids some excitement and something to look forward to next year, as well," said Reed, who planned the event in honor of his late father, the namesake of the nonprofit Orlando D. Reed Sr. Foundation.
Reed said the outdoor component of the festival may be rescheduled as a spring event, possibly during Spring Break for area schools in 2023.
The main event for Saturday -- a basketball game between two local, community teams, the Hoyas and the Rebels -- will go on as planned in the James Johnson Gym, which is adjacent to Mattocks Park at 1901 Detroit.
The game will start at 4 p.m. and will feature a half-time performance by Unique Dynasty, a local dance team.
Donations will be accepted as the price of admission for the basketball game and may include children's clothing and toys, canned goods, other non-perishable foods, etc.
The items will be collected for a giveaway during the ODRSF's "Finding Our Way Together" community Christmas event in December.
Planning is underway for the holiday event and details are forthcoming.
Reed encouraged attendees for the Fall Festival/basketball game to wear Halloween costumes. He also said there will be a few surprises during the day.
An adult Halloween costume party, also presented by the ODRSF, is still slated from 10 p.m. until 2:30 a.m. Saturday at the Gusher ELKS Lodge, No. 560, 1525 E. 19th St.
The party will include music and a costume contest, with prizes awarded for the best costume.
Admission is $10 with a costume and $15 without a costume. Proceeds will go toward the "Finding Our Way Together" Christmas event and other community-service activities.
For more information, call Reed Jr. at 214-779-1957 or Jason Roberson at 501-554-4961.