Scare on the Square brings Halloween fun to downtown Jasper

Dylan Busby publisher@jasperconews.com Jasper County News JASPER — The Jasper-Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber of Commerce brought the annual Fall Butterfly Festival back to the Jasper County Courthouse Square on Saturday, Oct. 24, filling downtown streets with vendors, entertainment, family activities and community organizations. The 49th annual festival attracted residents and visitors who spent the day shopping, enjoying live entertainment and supporting local businesses and charitable causes. Chamber Deputy Director Lena Hobson said organizers decided to return the festival to its traditional downtown location after several years at Sandy Creek Park. “It used to be around the courthouse, and then COVID hit,” Hobson said. “We love it down there, but we love the feel of the downtown area.” Hobson said the chamber plans to keep the Azalea Festival at Sandy Creek Park while returning the Butterfly Festival to downtown Jasper. “I’m really excited, and looking forward, we’ll have a really big bash next year for our 50th,” Hobson said. Throughout Saturday, the streets surrounding the courthouse were lined with craft vendors, local businesses, churches, civic organizations and food vendors offering everything from handmade merchandise to freshly prepared treats. Among the crowd favorites were the Weenie Dog Races, which drew spectators eager to watch the short-legged competitors compete. Proceeds from the races benefited SNIPS, an organization that helps residents access spay and neuter services for their pets. Butterflies also took center stage, with the Jasper Arboretum hosting two live monarch butterfly releases near the Jasper Public Library. The East Texas Photography Club hosted a photography contest inside the M&M Roofing building, while the Jasper Historical Museum welcomed visitors interested in exploring the area’s history. Representatives of the Jasper County Historical Commission were also on hand, selling raffle tickets and promoting preservation efforts. Historical Commission volunteers Mike Kotz and Laura Golden helped showcase the organization’s educational materials and fundraising activities. The commission relies heavily on donations and grants to support its work, making public events an important opportunity to connect with residents and encourage contributions. Live music from the courthouse gazebo provided entertainment as families moved between vendor booths and attractions. Younger visitors enjoyed bounce houses, virtual reality rides and a gel gun attraction. For local entrepreneurs, the festival also provided an opportunity to connect directly with customers. Carissa Garcia, owner of Bake It Happen, was among the returning vendors offering homemade baked goods. Garcia explained that her business originally began out of necessity to help pay for her children’s education. “It started out of necessity, to pay for college,” Garcia said. “We have officially paid for college. My son graduates in December, and so we are just going to keep growing.” With her son preparing to graduate from Sam Houston State University, Garcia hopes to expand the business and eventually offer scholarships for local vocational students. She credited the support of Jasper County residents for helping her business succeed. “That’s the reason that it’s grown so much. Community, just backing what I’m doing,” Garcia said. “They come to my house when I’m not bringing it to them. So it’s amazing. The community is really, really, really great.” Garcia recommended her pumpkin scones and peanut butter sandwich cookies as two customer favorites. The Jasper Lions Club also participated, sharing information about its charitable programs, including eyeglass assistance, food drives and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Club secretary Patricia Etue, a 10-year member, and Dusty Taff, a 15-year member, discussed the organization’s continued involvement in community service. The club currently supports approximately 120 children through the Imagination Library, which provides books to young readers. “It’s a great opportunity to help the community,” a club representative said. “It’s a great opportunity to get out and be involved in the community.” The Lions Club also provides eyeglasses for residents in need, assists local food pantries and supports the Texas Lions Camp for children with special needs. Although the Fall Butterfly Festival has concluded, downtown Jasper will host another celebration Saturday, Oct. 31. The chamber’s Scare on the Square event will bring families back downtown for Halloween festivities, with participating businesses distributing candy to trick-or-treaters. The Haunted Jail is also scheduled to open as part of the celebration. With the Butterfly Festival’s 50th anniversary approaching in 2027, chamber officials hope to build on this year’s return to the courthouse square and continue a tradition that has brought generations of Jasper County residents together.