Witches, superheroes, princesses invade Veterans Park in Hoover for 2016 hayride event

Veterans Park in Hoover was invaded by hordes of princesses, superheroes, witches and even a headless monster tonight, but most of them were under 4 feet tall.

An estimated 18,000 people showed up for the 2016 Hoover Hayride and Family Night, said Erin Colbaugh, the city of Hoover’s events coordinator. That’s the highest attendance they’ve ever had, she said.

People were lined up for the event and waiting a little after 4 p.m., even though it didn’t start until 5, Colbaugh said. There were still a lot of people waiting in line for hayrides when the event was scheduled to close at 8, but the tractors kept rolling until everybody in line got a ride, she said.

Lines were long for the hayrides and to get into the exhibitor tent, where more than 70 businesses and organizations organized by the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce gave out candy as people filed through.

There also was face painting, balloon twisting, airbrush tattoos, movies on a projection screen, a disc jockey and games. Concessionaires included Chick-fil-A, Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ, McDonald’s, The Fishin’ Pig (BBQ and catfish), Urban Pops, Kono Ice, Repicci’s Italian Ice and Neighborhood Brew (coffee, lattes, etc.).

Renee Kerr was with a group of three families from Chelsea who brought six kids with them to the event. “A friend of mine came last year and said it was fun, so we all decided to come out here,” Kerr said.

Rachel Matherson of Hoover brought her children for the first time. She has heard about it for years but always had something conflicting on her schedule, she said. But this year, her 6-year-old, Caleb, has been talking about it every day since he brought home a Hoover Hayride bookmark he received at Greystone Elementary School, she said.

“He wouldn’t let us forget when it was or where it was or what time is was,” she said.

The hayrides left an impression on her 3-year-old, Luke. “There were creepy things and mean things, skeletons and witches,” he said.