Downtown Harrisonburg is kicking off the Halloween season with something called Skeleton Festival, a free, family-friendly event set for Saturday from 1-5 p.m.
Organized by Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, the festival is built around trick-or-treating at 40+ downtown businesses. A Low-Sensory Trick-or-Treat Hour will be held inside The Shops at Agora from noon to 1 p.m., before the festival begins, for an inclusive experience.
Skeleton Festival also features Sip & Stroll at almost 20 businesses, costume contests, pop-up vendors and activities, and a pet costume parade.
“HDR designed Skeleton Festival to be an all-ages, Halloween-themed event to both bring the community together and to attract tourists to celebrate the holiday while also fostering community pride and attachment, economic development,” said Andrea L. Dono, HDR’s executive director. “This is another opportunity for people to come downtown to make lasting memories and for us to show off what downtown has to offer so they keep coming back.”
Registration for attendees interested in competing in the costume contest, will be located on the southside of Court Square from 1-3:45 p.m.; there is no registration required for the pet costume parade.
Starting at 4 p.m., attendees are encouraged to participate in the pet costume parade and costume contest for the humans taking place on Court Square.
All pet parade participants will receive a special treat, and the costume contest judges will award prizes for the top three costumes in each category: Pre-K, Elementary, Middle/High School, Adults 18+, Adults 55+, and Duo/Group.
Additional activities happening across downtown during Skeleton Festival include:
- Sip & Stroll with festive drinks
- Community Ofrenda at the Jimmy Madison’s parking lot featuring Cambiando Vidas
- Harrisonburg Meet Ups hourly until 4 p.m. at The Friendly Fermenter (where those “flying solo” can make new friends to enjoy the event with)
- Photo booth on Court Square
- Trick-or-Treat Bag Giveaway on Court Square
- Musical Ghost Tours at Carrendo Studios on Court Square
- Community Harvest Party at The Friendly City Food Co-op
- JMU Artmobile on Court Square
- Spooky Pet Costume Contest at Aristocat Café
- Potion Bottle Craft at Sage Bird Ciderworks
More information, including a full list of activities, participating Sip & Stroll businesses, a candy stop map, food specials, and parking details, will be available at www.SkeletonFestival.com as well as HDR’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
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Chris Graham
