Conway, SC — Conway’s long‑standing Halloween tradition briefly reached Conway High School this week before being halted by Horry County Schools less than a day later.
City of Conway Public Works installed the familiar lightweight plastic jack‑o’-lanterns in the trees at Conway High on Tuesday morning after a request from school staff. The pumpkins, identical to those used throughout downtown each October, were placed along the front campus area as part of the city’s seasonal displays.
By Wednesday morning, the city received an email from Horry County Schools Executive Director of Capital Projects, Joe Burch instructing crews to remove the decorations immediately. When city officials asked for clarification, the district did not provide a reason for the directive.
The pumpkins were taken down before noon.
Conway High has participated in seasonal decorating in past years, and the city’s plastic pumpkins have been used widely across Conway without incident. The decorations are hollow, lightweight, and secured with zip ties- chosen specifically to avoid injury or property damage if one were to fall.
The reversal has left residents questioning why the school’s initial request was overridden. The district’s only public comment came from spokesperson Lisa Bourcier, who said the district “appreciates the intent” and prefers future displays be “coordinated appropriately.” No policy conflict or safety concern has been identified.
For a city known regionally for its Halloween identity, the sudden removal has added an unexpected wrinkle to the start of the season.
Conway’s downtown pumpkins remain in place as October approaches, but the brief appearance and rapid disappearance of the decorations at Conway High continues to generate conversation among students, staff, and residents.
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