Halloween drive-thru events planned

Officials for Downtown Cairo have announced that the popular Boo on Broad has been cancelled because of the pandemic and replaced with two “Trunk or Treat” drive-thru events planned for Thursday, October 29. Main Street and the Roddenbery Library will team up for their event in the parking lot at Davis Park behind the library from 3 to 5:30 p.m. with room for up to 25 total businesses or organizations to participate and give out candy to all those dressed in costumes. The Sheriff’s Office will have its “Boo with the Blue” from 3-6 p.m. at the Sheriff’s Office, located at 115 16th Ave, NE.

Elevate Artisan Market is October 31

The 5th annual Elevate Artisan Market will be held on Saturday, October 31 at Summerhill Farms, located at 644 Hall Rd. in Cairo. The annual event features artisans and craftspeople from all over the southeastern United States displaying and demonstrating their creations under the shade of the pecan grove during the day, along with homemade artisan food. In light of the pandemic, this year’s event will be taking additional precautions and asking everyone who attends to please wear a mask, use the handwashing stations that will be readily available throughout the grounds, practice social distancing and avoid direct contact with the artisans and other attendees. The 2020 Elevate Artisan Market will feature more than 150 artists, some traveling from as far away as Virginia to showcase their talents. For more information, visit www.elevateartisanmarket.com

Early voting underway

Early voting for the general election is going on now through October 30 at the Registrar’s Office in the Grady County Courthouse from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. There also will be a one day Saturday voting on Saturday, October 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Denise Maddox, superintendent of elections. 

Hospital updates visitor policy

As COVID-19 begins to decline locally, Grady General Hospital has updated its visitation policy for patients who do not have or are not suspected of having COVID-19. Those patients may have one visitor at a time with a limit of three visitors per day. The visitors are asked to use hand sanitizer when entering the patient room and wear a mask at all times. Labor and delivery patients are allowed one designated support person. Patients at the hospital for a procedure may have one visitor accompany them and wait in a waiting room during the procedure. For additional information about visitation, contact Grady General Hospital.

Church plans homecoming Sunday

Hilltop Bible Baptist Church will have its annual homecoming service this Sunday, celebrating it 6th anniversary. The services will feature singing and testimonies at 10 a.m. with the morning service at 11. The guest preacher for the event will be Bro. Justin Chaney from Hickory, Mississippi. The morning service will be followed by dinner on the grounds and a special 1:30 p.m. after service with popcorn preaching. Everyone in the community is invited to attend.

Library has eBooks for kids

The Roddenbery Memorial Library reminds patrons that they also have electronic books available for children. There are over 15,000 different ebook and audio book titles available for kids in Pre-K to fourth grade. To check them out, just visit rmlibrary.com and have your library card.

Local author to hold book signing

Local author and Cairo native Richard Brown will be having a book signing for his new book, “Glory in the Church,” at Gate 16 Plaza on South Broad Street in Cairo on Saturday, October 31 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Everyone is invited to come and meet Brown and get a copy of the book.

History museum open, seeks volunteers

The Grady County Museum and History has reopened to the public and is seeking not only visitors but also people to volunteer their time to improve the experience for those who attend. The museum features artifacts and displays from Grady County including a new section that shows how life was for local residents in their homes during the early days of the community. The museum, located at 101 N. Broad St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are also looking for volunteers and people to make monetary donations and donations of artifacts to add to the collection.

Magnolia Place to hold fall drive-thru parade

Magnolia Place invites everyone to participate in their Fall Drive Through Parade, scheduled for October 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. Participants are encouraged to decorate their vehicles, dress up in their favorite costume and line up in the parking lot of The Church of Grady County on South Broad Street. As you pass through the driveway at Magnolia Place, stay in your car and the staff of Magnolia Place will come out and give candy to your little ones. It’s going to be a fun way to celebrate Halloween and also give joy to the residents of Magnolia Place and everyone is encouraged to participate.

To submit an item to Cairo Newsbeat, contact Jeff Lovett at (229) 221-1030.