Minions, princesses, witches take over Veterans Park for 2015 Hoover Hayride

An estimated 10,000 people came out to Veterans Park off Valleydale Road for the seventh annual Hoover Hayride and Family Night tonight, organizers said.

The event started at 5 p.m. and included tractor-driven hayrides, face painting, balloon twisters, a photo booth and a disc jockey. But most of the costumed kids likely came for the free candy given out by about 75 businesses and organizations in the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce.

There were lots of little minions wandering around the park tonight, but also plenty of princesses and witches, said Erin Colbaugh, events coordinator for the city of Hoover.

“I think it went great,” Colbaugh said. “We had a lot of people that came out to have a good time – just a nice night out at the park.”

The event was scheduled to end at 8 p.m., but the popular hayrides continued for another 45 minutes, Colbaugh said. There were six tractors running continuously with about 15 to 20 people in each load, she said.

“We wanted everybody to have a ride if they stood in line,” she said. “We took care of everybody that was here.”

Greeting the kids in the park tonight were life-size cartoon characters such as the Backyardigans, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and one of the Minions. Food vendors included Papa John’s Pizza, Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ, Chick-fil-A, Urban Pops and Repicci’s Italian Ice.