Hartselle Hay Day has been cancelled this year due to lack of resources. The event was slated for Oct. 27 in downtown and was created to offer a safe environment for Halloween fun. The event is hosted by Hartselle Parks and Recreation each year with the help of community businesses and organizations.

Tom Chappell is the director of Hartselle Parks and Recreation and made the decision to cancel the event. He said that the decision was not made due to one group or reason, but that there were several variables that would not make the event as successful. “We are not going to put on an event unless it is a homerun. We certainly don’t want to put on an event that was unsuccessful.There’s a lot of people upset. We are not blaming any one group. We just didn’t feel like it would be a successful event, ” Chappell said.

Many businesses and community members have used social media to express their disappointment in the event being cancelled. Autumn Terezopoulos owns a business downtown and said she was looking forward to the event. “We are all very upset,” Terezopoulos said.

According to Chappell, the event was created first to give the community something to do, but also to draw people to the downtown area. He said the event has grown in popularity with the community and requires more volunteers than before.

Terezopoulos and many of the downtown merchants have got together to plan a substitute event the same day. The event will take place at Hartwood Estates and will take place from 12 to six. Terezopoulos said they plan to offer candy, hayrides and inflatables. “We want the community to come out and support,” Terezopoulos said.

Due to parking, the event will be offered in 30 minute sections. The Hartwood Estates will be hosting their haunted house and will offer a normal session and a no scare session.

Chappell said Hay Day will still take place next year and is planning to have the event at Sparkman Civic Center. He said he plans to have it a weekend before Halloween due to there being other events that may pull volunteers away.  “We plan on being back next year and being bigger and better. We are all about creating things for the community to do,” Chappell said.