GROVES — Memories of the late Mary Barnes, dubbed The Good Witch of Groves, will brew at First Friday in Groves.

The family festival will honor Barnes, who for years hosted a haunted house at her Groves home. Generations of costumed children would parade in the city and meet at her home for a cauldron of brew, candy and a mild scare.

“I can remember going over to her house and seeing the stuff in the trees,” Bree Babin, First Friday organizer, said.

First Friday in Groves is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, along Lincoln Avenue in downtown Groves. Grownups are even encouraged to enter.

There will be a costume contest to parade other good witches, according to Babin, organizer.

There is no entry fee, and no residency requirement for the Good Witch of Groves costume contest. Categories are ages 3 to 12 and adult, 13 and older. Prizes for each age category include best costume and most original. Contest judging will begin at 7:30 p.m.

October is National Fire Prevention Month. Groves Fire Department personnel and volunteers will discuss their duties and show off the fire truck.

The Wild Horse Mustang Club will be a First Friday feature. The car group began in 2004 and has grown to more than 45 members, living all over the Golden Triangle and beyond. The classic Mustangs range from 1965 to 2008. Members call themselves a family oriented-group that loves to drive and show off their cars.

First Friday, a merchant sponsored event, is celebrated the first Friday of every month and provides free family entertainment, special sales, food and door prizes. Free street entertainment will include contests and music from disc jockey Donna Marx, balloon animals by Sunny the Clown, face painting by the Jester and a Moonwalk sponsored by Selman Chiropractic.

Contact Babin at 962-3631 for more information on sponsorships, or to reserve a vendor space for upcoming First Fridays. Upcoming First Friday dates include Nov. 7, Dec. 5, and Jan. 2. 

Contact this reporter at ddoiron@panews.com.