For nearly two decades, Holly Bay Campground in Laurel County (Kentucky) has transformed into a Halloween destination, where campers build their own haunted scenes and create a festive space for local families.
The annual “Holly Boo” event, now in its 19th year, continues to bring together campers and community members for a weekend of family-friendly fun.
Camper Rusty Cornett, who helped start the tradition, said the event has grown since its early days.
“We started with one costume, a fog machine, and a tombstone. And it has grown in 19 years to what you can see behind us,” Cornett said, as reported by WYMT News on October 23.
Each year, campers dedicate the week leading up to Holly Boo to constructing and decorating their sites. Many build elaborate handmade displays, turning the campground into a temporary Halloween neighborhood.
Hundreds of children now visit Holly Bay each year, returning to see new decorations and familiar faces.
“It was always awesome to see how different everything was every year because like you said it started with a couple things and then over the years it’s grown into so many different people decorating and more kids and more kids coming every single year to trick or treat and more people getting involved,” said Cornett’s daughter, Calli Warren.
The displays are popular both day and night, with costumed campers offering surprises around every corner. The event blends spooky fun with a strong sense of community and safety, something participants say keeps families coming back.
Longtime campers John and Christie Keltner said they take pride in offering children a safe and memorable place to celebrate. To ensure safety, no vehicles are permitted inside the campground during trick-or-treat hours.
“It’s good, it’s safe. You don’t have to worry about nothing. You see a lot of them from year to year and they come looking for you in your costumes… It’s just it’s for the kids,” the Keltners said.
The couple added that while the event offers its share of frights, the focus remains on family enjoyment.
The sense of community and tradition surrounding Holly Boo has made it a highlight of the season for both campers and visitors.
According to its website, Holly Bay Campground offers convenient access to Laurel River Lake, making it an ideal base for outdoor recreation. Situated near Holly Bay Marina, the Holly Bay Boat Ramp, and several scenic hiking trails, the campground provides easy opportunities for boating, fishing, and exploring the surrounding forest.
Shaded by mature trees, the site also features a full-service bathhouse with showers, allowing campers to clean up after a day of adventure on the water or trails.
The campground includes 75 reservable drive-in campsites equipped with electricity, water, a paved vehicle pad, gravel tent pad, fire ring, picnic table, and lantern pole. For a more rustic experience, 19 walk-in tent sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.