It’s time to dust off your favorite costume—or go shopping for a new one, grab a sufficiently hefty treat bag and head to downtown Bellefontaine for their annual Great Pumpkin Walk. But you have an extra day to prepare this year as the much-anticipated event will be on Saturday, Oct. 5, instead of the first Friday, like it’s been since it started.
The day change reflects a transition of Downtown Bellefontaine Partnership activities beyond their longstanding First Fridays in the hope of expanding their variety. Plus, they didn’t want to compete with Bellefontaine High School’s homecoming game on Oct. 4.
“We’re trying it out to see how Saturday will work,” Maddie Stotler, event coordinator, said. “Moving forward, there’s a probability of more and more Saturday events.”
Another benefit will be better hours. With school not in the way, the fun will begin at 2 p.m. and go until 6, meaning an earlier night for families with young children.
Those logistical changes aside, though, one thing stays the same — the Great Pumpkin Walk is still a fun time for the whole family.
Free activities:
- Meet and greet with the friendly animals at the Petting Zoo
- Go Trick-or-Treating at participating businesses
- Enjoy Games and Crafts throughout the downtown area
- And, no matter your age, you’re invited to show off your creativity by entering the Costume Contest
Or take the afternoon a step further by getting a special kids’ passport for $15, or purchase a family pass for $25, which includes two kids’ passports. This unlocks special access to:
- Unlimited bounces at six different bouncy houses
- A Popcorn Walk contest with fun prizes for the winners
- Unlimited hayrides through downtown
- A caramel apple bar where you can create your own delicious treat
Each child will need their own passport for paid activities. You can pick up your VIP wristbands at the courthouse. Individual tickets for hayrides and the caramel apple bar can be purchased separately on Saturday.
For more information, go to the events page at downtownbellefontaine.com. You can also order your passports by using the QR code.
Also, as in year’s past, the Photo Booth will be taking professional pictures of kids in costumes—and adults too—from 2 to 6 p.m. that same day.
For $20, you’ll get a digital photo and be able to participate in a scavenger hunt through the studio with prizes and treats to take home.
You can pre-book your spot at photoboothbtown.com or stop by Saturday afternoon.
Several Bellefontaine businesses are offering their own specials and activities, including the Downtown Pumpkin Barrel Scavenger Hunt and a special collaboration between Roundhouse Depot and Brewfontaine.
Calling it Ichabod Train, this exclusive beverage is a pumpkin pie cream ale, which will include a DORA cup as part of Saturday’s festivities.
And for more information about the pumpkin barrel scavenger hunt, visit the Downtown Bellefontaine Ohio Facebook page.
The following streets will close at 11 a.m. Saturday for the event:
- South Main from Watson Way to Chillicothe Street
- W. and E. Columbus and W. and E. Chillicothe from Detroit to Madriver streets
- S. and N. Opera Street and Court Avenue