Release from Downtown South Bend
Freaky fun for ghouls and goblins of all ages will be had in downtown South Bend on Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27. Activities include pumpkin carving, the Haunted Dome, Trunk or Treating, screenings of The Addams Family and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, haunted hay wagon rides, and the Greatest Pumpkin Contest.
Pumpkin carvers young and old are invited to carve a pumpkin on Friday from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Carving is free and will take place outdoors just south of the College Football Hall of Fame, while supplies last. In the event of inclement weather, the carving will move inside the College Football Hall of Fame lobby.
Throughout the weekend, the Haunted Dome will also be open just west of the College Football Hall of Fame. Enter if you dare! Spooky animatronics will come alive as you creak open the door. An extension of the South Bend Chocolate Café, the Haunted Dome is free to enter, day or night.
Trunk or Treat takes place at the Studebaker National Museum on Friday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. offering games and craft making to children in costume ages 3 to 10. This event is free to children and their guardians. Children must be in costume and accompanied by an adult.
Two Friday night flicks are planned to screen on the College Football Hall of Fame gridiron beginning at 7:00 p.m. Bring the kids, chairs and blankets to be entertained by America's favorite "creepy" clan, The Addams Family. Gomez, Morticia, Pugsley, Wednesday and Cousin Itt look forward to your visit.
Grab your friends, put your hands on your hips and do the Time Warp as "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" gets going at 9:00 p.m. on the gridiron. A shadow cast will perform during the screening and there will be Survival Kits available for $2 each, while supplies last. This interactive, one-of-a-kind experience is for mature audiences. Bring your own chairs and blankets.
Both films are free, sponsored by Downtown South Bend, Inc. (DTSB). In the event of inclement weather, "The Addams Family" screening will be cancelled, while "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" will move inside to Club Fever for those 21 and over.
On Saturday evening, the Headless Horseman will ride into town to offer horse-drawn haunted hay wagon rides. Free rides will pick-up and drop-off in front of the South Bend Chocolate Café from 6:30 until 9:30 p.m. Rides are given on a first-come, first-served basis weather permitting.
In addition to the hay wagon rides, the lights will be dimmed on Michigan Street to showcase the community's carvings. The pumpkins carved on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon will be placed up and down Michigan Street and be lit from 6:30 until 9:30 p.m. Enjoy a stroll while the Jack-O-Lanterns light the way.
Beginning Friday at 3:00 p.m. through Saturday at 9:30 p.m., go on the hunt for the Greatest Pumpkin. Participating downtown businesses on the east and west side of the river are competing for your vote for the Greatest Pumpkin. Maps and voting forms are available for pick-up at the South Bend Chocolate Café. Shops are offering specials and promotions throughout the weekend. And you may receive a treat along the way!
Halloween activities are sponsored by the South Bend Chocolate Café and Downtown South Bend, Inc. (DTSB) with support from Fiddler's Hearth Public House, The Kroc Center, Skinny's Coney Concessions and Metronet Zing.
