Vicksburg’s sports scene is getting a little spooky as Halloween approaches.

Several events themed around the holiday are scheduled in the coming week in which competition takes a bit of a backseat to creative costumes, candy and fun.

Halloween week begins Saturday morning with the 4th annual Spooky Sprint 5K in downtown Vicksburg. The 5K run and racewalk also includes a 1-mile fun run and is a fundraiser for Vicksburg Catholic Schools.

Runners and walkers are invited to participate in the event while wearing Halloween costumes. Afterward there will be a carnival for children, food and live music.

The race starts at 8 a.m. at BancorpSouth, 820 South Street. Raceday registration will begin at the bank at 7 a.m. The registration fee is $25 for the 5K and $15 for the 1-mile run for children 15 and under.
On Monday night, the costumes come to the diamond for the Warren Central Softball Spooktacular. The school’s baseball and softball teams will dress in Halloween costumes and play a co-ed slow-pitch game. The game starts at 6 p.m.

Admission is $5 for adults, and children in costume are admitted free. All proceeds from the gate and concession stand will be donated to Olivia Newman, a Clinton teenager battling leukemia.

“In my opinion, it’s one of the best nights we have every year, coming together and raising money for someone in our community,” Warren Central softball coach Dana McGivney said. “Other than helping somebody from our community, seeing the kids dressed up and acting like kids is fun. They love it. The kids are laughing and joking and having a good time. It really is my favorite night of the year.”

This is the fifth year that Warren Central has played the Halloween-themed softball game. All of the proceeds have gone to either a charity or a person in need. Last year’s beneficiary was Victor Worrell, a Vicksburg child with leukemia. The event usually raises around $1,000.

“If it’s a kid, a teenager, that we can help it means a lot to our kids that it’s somebody they connect with,” McGivney said. “It’s somebody their age and makes them more appreciate that they can help somebody in that situation.”

McGivney added that the children in attendance will receive candy, and donations in addition to the admission fee are welcome.

“Make sure the kids bring something to put candy in, and if they want to donate extra to the (Newman) family they can do that, too,” McGivney said. “All of the proceeds go to Olivia. We don’t keep any of the money.”
The Warren Central softball game was inspired by Hinds Community College’s annual “Monster Mash at Moss” event. This year’s edition, the seventh, is also scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m. at Joe G. Moss field on Hinds’ Raymond campus.

Like Warren Central’s game, the Monster Mash will feature the school’s baseball and softball players in a co-ed game wearing Halloween costumes. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for Hinds students with a school ID. Children under 12 are admitted free.

All proceeds from the Monster Mash benefit Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson.

HALLOWEEN SPORTS:
• Spooky Sprint 5K, Saturday, 8 a.m.; race starts at BancorpSouth, 820 South Street. Registration is $25.
• Warren Central Softball Spooktacular, Monday, 6 p.m., at WC’s Lucy Young Field. Admission is $5, and all proceeds benefit Olivia Newman, an area teenager battling leukemia.
• Hinds CC Monster Mash at Moss; Monday, 6 p.m., at Hinds Community College’s Joe G. Moss Field in Raymond. Admission is $5, and proceeds benefit Batson Children’s Hospital.