Van Wert groups plan Halloween activities

VW independent/submitted information

Van Wert is preparing to celebrate Halloween again next weekend, with the 23 annual Halloween Fright Festival, as well as a downtown morning trick-or-treat event featuring the creature costumes of Judy Geary and the city’s formal trick-or-treat session next Saturday afternoon.

The shops and businesses of downtown Van Wert will be participating in this year’s Downtown Trick or Treat from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday, October 31.

Along with candy and treats, children and adults alike will enjoy marveling at, and having their photo taken beside, the famous and imaginative creatures Judy Geary will be bringing to roam the sidewalks.

The creature costumes were created through the imagination of one Van Wert woman, and have mystified children each Halloween for several decades. The creatures have returned the last few years to the Downtown Trick or Treat, where families are making new memories with these fascinating creations.

More than 20 of the elaborate costumes are expected downtown Halloween morning. For more details, call the Main Street Van Wert office at 419.238.6911.

Following the downtown trick-or-treat event next Saturday, the 23rd annual Fall Fright Festival will take place in the Commercial Building on the Van Wert County Fairgrounds.

The event begins at 11:30 a.m. when the doors open. Goodie bags will be given to children as they enter the doors, and a costume judging contest will begin at noon.

There will be free cider and doughnuts available, along with the Great Halloweenie Stand to grab a bite for lunch. Other activities include carnival games, a cakewalk, and Boo Bingo. A photographer will also be available to capture the moments of that little ghost or goblin in their outfits.

Those who carved a special pumpkin this year should bring it with them and enter it in the Van Wert Manor Pumpkin Carving Contest. Hours for that event are 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Fall Fright Fest is a free and safe Halloween event made possible through the generosity of the following sponsors: Aaron’s, Ace Hardware, Alexander & Bebout, American Family Insurance, Bee Gee Realty, Brookside Beverage, Collins Fine Foods, Cowan Funeral Home, Dairy Queen, Dancia Myers, First Federal Savings & Loan, Flour Loves Sugar, Fricker’s, Melissa Gehle, Greve Chrysler, Impressions,  Investment Center, Lee Kinstle’s, Laurie’s Naturescapes, Subway, Sycamore Ice Cream, Taco Bell, Truly D’Vine, Touch of Grace, Van Wert County Fair Board, Van Wert High School Economics Class, Van Wert Manor, Van Wert Head Start, Wells Fargo Bank, Wendy’s, and WERT Radio (at the time this is published).

Those interested in contributing can contact the Van Wert Parks Department at 419.238.9121 or Elizabeth Saunier, Fall Fright Committee chair, at 419.203.5368.

Van Wert will also hold its official trick-or-treat session from 4-6 p.m. next Saturday. Those households wanting to hand out treats should leave an outside light on.