MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – Ales, Cocktails, and small bites — That’s what’s on the menu for Meridian Main Street’s Downtown Meridian Ale Trail Spooky Edition kicking off Friday from 5 pm to 10 pm.
Meridian Main Street Director Matt Schanrock said the ale trail has had Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, and summer themes in the past, but this is the first time they’re doing a Halloween theme— and organizers are expecting a big crowd.
“It’s grown, we’re right at the 200 mark, which really surprised me. We thought ‘hey 50, we’ll be happy with 50 people,’ but I think this one might push past 200. Then we’ll aim for 300 people, and we don’t know what we’ll do then. It might a little wild, but it’s been really fun. It’s been really safe. People have had a great time. They see people they haven’t seen in a long time, and it’s just a great time to socialize,” said Schanrock.
There are 14 local bars and restaurants participating in Friday’s event, one those being Fare on Eighth— a newer food establishment downtown.
“The bars and restaurants are getting a little bit more creative now that they’re themed, and so they’ll usually come out with a special drink, but then you can always get your domestic beers too,” said Schanrock.
One of those specialty drinks can be found right here at Fare on Eighth.
“So, we’re calling it Nightmare on 8th Street. It is vodka and melon liquor and pineapple juice. It is so good, and it is so pretty,” said Emma Kate Lawrence, a bartender at Fare on Eighth.
Lawrence said the staff got the idea after having friendly competition to see who could come up with the best drink.
“This has been so much fun, trying to compete against each other in like friendly rivalry. We really enjoyed coming up with the new ideas and trying out new recipes and stuff. Like, a couple of the other drinks that the other bartenders are going to go on our menu because they were really good,” said Lawrence.
But Fare on Eight is no stranger to the Ale Trail. Even though the establishment opened this year, they participated in the Hot Summer Night Ale Trail a few months back.
“It was super fun. I’ve never done anything like that. Fare on Eighth was packed. We had so many people in here. Everybody loved the pouch drinks, so we’re excited to do that again,” said Isa Marshall, a bartender at Fare on Eighth.
The Ale Trail Spooky Edition will wrap up at Spacey’s RockNRoll Tattoo, but there will be several door prizes as well as one main prize.
“Typically they’ll have, since, you know, it is an ale trail, so we’ll have like a six pack or 12 pack of beer and then a gift card from a local restaurant,” said Schanrock. “This year’s big prize is a really nice… or the Spooky Ale Trail prize is a really nice backpack cooler that Magnolia has provided. So we’re really thankful for them. It’s got a gas gift card in there too, so you know it’s all fun.”
Schanrock also said events like this are good for the local economy and help bring more people downtown.
“The biggest feedback I get is one, ‘hey I’ve lived in Meridian for so long, and I’ve never been to this restaurant,’ not that they were forced to go, but they’re like ‘hey it’s on here, let’s try it out, it gives them an easy opportunity. So, now those businesses are gaining more customers, and of course, you know, you bring a couple hundred people downtown, bouncing around, of course it’s an increased revenue for that night,” said Schanrock.
“I’m excited and I can’t wait for everybody to come by Fare on Eighth and get the Nightmare on 8th Street,” said Marshall.
