STARKVILLE — While hundreds of families filled Main Street for Pumpkinpalooza Thursday night, enjoying music, trick or treating, inflatable jumpers and more, another fall festival was going on just a few minutes away.

But this other new festival, hosted in Fire Station Park by the Starkville Area Autism Support Group, was much quieter and calmer – just as volunteer organizer and mother Cindi Patrick hoped it would be.

“My son, Shawn, he’s 15. He has autism,” Patrick said. “And so, he wasn’t able to attend the Pumpkinpalooza because it was a little too crowded.”

Wanting her son to have the chance to participate in fun fall activities while avoiding bright lights, loud noises and large crowds, like those involved in the Pumpkinpalooza, Patrick helped to arrange the sensory friendly event.

The festival included a calm zone, sensory bins, leaf painting, games, trick or treating and a photo area, giving those who wanted a calmer experience the chance to participate in some of the same activities happening on Main Street. The event also included allergy-friendly candy and wheelchair accessible games, so those that needed them could come and enjoy as well.

“We just love our community so much and we just want to be a part of it like anybody else,” Patrick said. “… That’s what we’re trying to do, is just trying to find more ways for kids with autism or any disability to be able to be included in the community.”

Patrick said Starkville Main Street Director Paige Watson helped to arrange Fire Station Park for the sensory friendly festival, while local businesses donated free parking and treats to the event.

Though the event was designed for children with sensory needs, Patrick said it was also open to anyone who wanted to come and enjoy the evening.

Kim McFarland brought her five-year-old daughter, Camia, to the festival since she loves slime, kinetic sand, and other sensory toys like those that were available during the festival. But Fire Station Park was not their first stop of the night, or their last.

“We’ve been everywhere,” McFarland said, “We went to the sorority houses (trick or treating) first, then we came here, then we’re going to head to Pumpkinpalooza.”

While this was the support group’s first fall festival event, the group has existed since 2002.

Susan Griffin, a retired speech pathologist, helped to found the group years ago to help some of her clients who needed it.

“A parent came up to me and said ‘I would like to start meeting with other parents with children like mine,’” Griffin said. “They had twins that both had autism. And I said, ‘OK, I’ll do that.’”

Initially, the group met at the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District Discovery Center, she said, which had just gotten a grant to support special needs parents. But after the grant money ended, Griffin kept the group going with regular monthly meetings where parents and loved ones of those with autism, and those with autism, could access support and educational materials.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Griffin said, the group had to take a break from its regular meetings, as it was difficult to manage meeting over Zoom. But back in August, the group restarted with meetings at Trinity Presbyterian Church from 9:30-11 a.m. every fourth Saturday of the month.

While the group is primarily geared toward those with autism and their loved ones, Griffin said it is also inclusive of others with disabilities as well.

“People need support,” Griffin said. “But it’s not just for children with autism. If anybody needs support, they’re welcome to come. If they have a special needs child or a special needs neighbor, and they just don’t know what to do about it. We’re open to anyone.”

Patrick said the group is planning other sensory friendly events in the future, like a possible skate night or movie day. It is also working to install communication boards in local parks for those that need them.