The Great Greenville Homecoming kicks off next week with events scheduled from Thursday, Oct. 28 through Sunday, Oct. 31.

The festivities are part of an initiative of the Alabama Tourism Department and its Year of Alabama Small Towns and Downtowns.

Local organizers, including the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Greenville, have done a fine job of lining up activities to make for a fun and busy weekend.

It all begins Oct. 28 with the dedication of a new historic marker at Greenville City Hall at 11 a.m.

The lineup includes a mix of traditional local events, such as the Greenville Haunted Firehouse and Old Time Farm Day, with some fresh new functions like Trick or Treat on Commerce Street.

Sponsored by the Chamber and local business community, Thursday night’s event promises fun for the entire family. Commerce Street will be closed to traffic from the Courthouse to the Train Depot as area businesses hand out goodies to children 6^th grade and under.

The festivities will end with a special “Spook Show” finale in front of city hall at 7 p.m.

Join the fun by wearing your Halloween costume to work on Thursday. Businesses around town, including The Greenville Advocate, will participate. Make sure to give us a call so we can get your picture for the newspaper and website.

The Great Greenville Homecoming is a great opportunity to invite friends and family to visit. The events are also well worth the short drive from Georgian, McKenzie, Fort Deposit and other towns nearby. I look forward to seeing you there.

For more information visit www.greenville-alabama.com. The full schedule of events follows:

Thursday, Oct. 28

11 a.m. – Historic Marker Dedication at City Hall

11:30 a.m. – Mayor Dexter McLendon will be the guest speaker at the Greenville Rotary Club Luncheon, Beeland Park. Tickets available at City Hall and are $10.

5:30-7:30 p.m. – “Trick or Treat on Commerce Street” from The Train Depot to the Butler County Courthouse, with local retail and professional businesses providing candy. Fall pictures available by Monk Photography in Confederate Park.

7:30-8 p.m. – “Thriller” Show at park with Haunted Firehouse characters and Fort Dale Academy Dance Team.

8-11 p.m. – Greenville Haunted Firehouse

Friday, Oct. 29

7 p.m. – Gospel Concert in the Ritz Theatre featuring group “Southland”. Free to the public. Sponsored by Whitney Bank, Dunklin & Daniels Funeral Home, Greenville Cash & Carry, and Stephens Chiropractic.

7-11 p.m. – Greenville Haunted Firehouse

Saturday, Oct. 30

7 a.m. – Greenville Homecoming 5K Run starting at Tiger Stadium

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Old Time Farm Day

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Car Show at Confederate Park with Greenville Parks & Recreation selling refreshments.

7-9 p.m. – Concert in front of City Hall featuring “The Fabulous Shades”, an oldies cover band. Bring your lawn chairs!

7-11 p.m. – Greenville Haunted Firehouse

Sunday, Oct. 31

2 p.m. – Butler County Historical & Genealogical Society Meeting at City Hall