News release from the Downtown Improvement District:
Fright Night is back!
(September 21, 2018) – Fort Wayne’s most anticipated Halloween event full of frightful family fun is back! Fright Night, presented by First Federal Bank and your Downtown Improvement District, returns on Saturday, October 20. With more than 35 ghoulishly great activities for people to enjoy throughout the day and evening, Fright Night has something for everyone!
“Fright Night gets bigger and better every year!” said Downtown Improvement District President, Bill Brown. “All the partners work very hard to produce a fantastic event that is fun for all ages. So come to Downtown Fort Wayne for an experience you won’t find anywhere else.”
Before you join the ranks of the undead in this year’s “Zombie Walk” don’t forget to check out the pre-parade activities all around Downtown. Then head to ACPL Plaza for all the zombie fueled mayhem! From the T.A.G. Art Zombie Machine and First Federal Bank Photo Booooth to great live dance and musical performances as well as the annual Brain (cake) Eating Contest! Then, at 5:30pm, we kick off the Zombie Walk — your chance to be part of the biggest zombie parade around as it crawls its way through the streets of Downtown Fort Wayne!
New This Year:
2018 MONSTER DASH: The UAW Local 2209 would like to invite everybody to bring the entire family and join them in the Monster Dash 5k Fun Run/Walk on October 20th at 10 a.m. This Halloween-themed fundraiser to benefit Fort Wayne Trails will start and finish in historic Freimann Square in Downtown Fort Wayne. So, bring your funniest, spookiest or most epic costume and be ready to hit the trail!
VAMPIRE MADNESS: Join Cinema Center for some bloody fun! Kids stop by between 10am and 1pm for a free vampire craft and treat! 11 AM family friendly Halloween movie (title TBA). Tickets are just $5! For the rest of their creatures of the night – vampire themed films will screen in the afternoon and evening. Check the website for titles, pricing and schedule.
FIRST FEDERAL BANK EXTREME PUMPKIN CARVING DEMONSTRATIONS:
Join First Federal Bank, on the ACPL Plaza, beginning at 2pm as they host professional carvers from Ice Creations for ongoing demonstrations of extreme pumpkin carving and a display of their pumpkin creations that have even been featured on Food Network. Plus, enter to win one to take home.
PHANTOM OF THE ORGAN
Spine-tingling music played on the mighty pipe organ at Trinity Episcopal Church. Organist, Wayne Peterson, will be joined by singer David Dilsizian (Grand Rapids), and other guests, to present a frighteningly fun event for all ages!
ZOMBIES GOT TALENT
Are you a zombie? Can you sing, dance or tell a great joke? Do you feel that the other zombies don’t appreciate your unique talents? This competition for zombies and monsters at the Allen County Public Library is your chance to shine!
Fright Night is Presented by the Downtown Improvement District and First Federal Bank and Sponsored by Fort Wayne Newspapers, Lutheran Health Network, Wane TV, Majic 95.1/Fun 101.7/Alt 99.5, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Hanning & Bean, TNT Sound, T.A.G. Art Company and the Allen County Public Library.
For more information: www.FrightNightDowntown.com
Fright Night Activities List:
Which Witch is Which
Allen County Public Library – (Inside Library)
Children’s Department
900 Library Plaza
9:00am – 6:00pm
Free
Stop by the Children’s Department for this scavenger hunt where families will have to search for and match up famous witches from children’s literature. Please note this a Zombie free zone!
(260) 421-1220 – acpl.com
Zombie Attack Scavenger Hunt
Allen County Public Library – (Inside Library)
Readers Services Desk
900 Library Plaza
9:00am – 6:00pm
Free
Find the zombies that are hidden throughout the building (except for Children’s and Genealogy Departments). Stop by the Reader Services Desk and pick up your form. If you complete it, you will get a prize. PG13.
(260) 421-1235 – acpl.com
Pumpkin Zone
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory
1100 S Calhoun St
10:00am – 3:00pm
Adults $5 – $3 for ages 17 & under
Enjoy an autumn celebration at the Botanical Conservatory! Children and their adults will explore the gardens for fall crafts, activities and games. Test your observation skills with the Gnome Search, discover whether pumpkins float or sink, nibble on pumpkin seeds, and decorate your own mini pumpkin. Friends from the Allen County Farm Bureau will help us learn about pumpkins and how they grow. The Conservatory is proud to offer Pumpkin Zone as a part of the Downtown Improvement District’s Fright Night festivities. No reservations needed; regular Conservatory admission applies.
(260) 427-6440 – botanicalconservatory.org
The Punkin’ Path
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory
1100 S Calhoun St
10:00am – 5:00pm
Adults $5 – $3 for ages 17 & under
Visit our outdoor Punkin’ Path, where you can enjoy the fall surroundings and take festive pictures with your little ones. The path will be decorated with pumpkins, gourds, bales of straw- and gnomes! – to provide fun photo memories. Gnomes are caretakers of land and animals; they are industrious, enjoy all kinds of games, and surprisingly, they love to travel! Watch for them along the Punkin’ Path. This exhibit is included with Conservatory admission.
(260) 427-6440 – botanicalconservatory.org
2018 Monster Dash
UAW Local 2209
Freimann Square
200 E Main St
10:00am – Noon
Adults $25, Kids free with adult registration
The UAW Local 2209 is excited to be a part of the 2018 Fright Night Festivities! We would like to invite everybody to bring the entire family and join us in our Third Annual Monster Dash 5k Fun Run/Walk on October 20th at 10 a.m. This Halloween-themed fundraiser to benefit Fort Wayne Trails will start and finish in historic Freimann Square in Downtown Fort Wayne. So, bring your funniest, spookiest or most epic costume and hit the trail with us!
(260) 403-6389 – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/monster-dash-5k-fun-run-walk-2018-tickets-48413054750?ref=eios&aff=eios
It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
Fort Wayne Ballet’s Youth Company
Auer Center for the Arts & Culture
300 E Main St – Ballet Studio A
10:00am & 11:30am
$10 per person
Join Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang as they celebrate Halloween with trick-or-treating and a Halloween party! The only Peanut who doesn’t celebrate with the rest is Linus as he waits to see if The Great Pumpkin will rise out of the sincerest pumpkin patch and bring all the boys and girls presents. Join us to see what happens!
These 30-minute performances are perfect family-friendly activities. Join us after the performance for a free spooky, creative movement session! 10:00am & 11:30am performance times.
(260) 422-4226 – fortwayneballet.org/family-series
Vampire Madness
Cinema Center
437 E Berry St
10:00am – 10:00pm
Film Admission $5 – $12
Little Vampires (and friends): Join Cinema Center for some bloody fun! Kids stop by between 10am and 1pm for a free vampire craft and treat!
11 AM family friendly Halloween movie (title TBA) . Tickets are just $5! For the rest of our creatures of the night-vampire themed films will screen in the afternoon and evening. Check the website for titles, pricing and schedule.
Calling all vampires! Come suit up with other vampires and friends! Our Spectator Lounge is the place to put on your vampire face before heading out on the zombie walk! A special effects make-up designer is available for consultation! Some make-up items will be available for your use. Admission is free.
Cash bar and specialty drinks are available while you and your fellow blood-suckers make up your faces and enjoy a drink before taking on the night!
(260) 426-3456 – cinemacenter.org
The 2nd Annual Day of the Dead/Dia de Los Muertos Festival “DIA Fort Wayne”
Hosted by Latinos Count at USF Performing Arts Center 431 W Berry St
11:00am – 6:00pm
Free
DIA Fort Wayne is a spirited Day of the Dead/Dia de Los Muertos celebration held at the USF Performing Arts Center. Throughout the day, we will have FREE family friendly activities and entertainment. Free activities include Disney’s Coco, Calaca/Calavera face painting, kid’s art activities, live music, photo booth and Instagram slide show, and Lucha Libre wrestling matches. There will be several food trucks and alcohol provided by Hop River Brewing. – diafortwayne.com
The Dia de Los Muertos/Day of the Dead FW Festival – Evening Celebration Concert
Hosted by Latinos Count at USF Performing Arts Center 431 W Berry St
6:00pm – 10:00pm
Tickets: $5 General Admission – VIP $20
This concert will be capping off the DIA Fort Wayne festivities at the USF Performing Arts
Center! Featuring Madrigal: The Premier Carlos Santana Tribute Band. Opening acts include, Los Lemons, a Best
Calaca/Calavera Costume Contest, and a Lucha Libre Wrestling Match! Visit diafortwayne.com for tickets and information.
Fright Night Movie Marathon
Allen County Public Library – (Inside Library)
Meeting Room C
900 Library Plaza
11:00 am – 4:00pm
Free
Come join us for these movie classics in Meeting room C.
11:00am Hocus Pocus – Rated PG/ 95 minutes
1:00pm Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride – Rated PG/ 75 minutes
2:30pm Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas – Rated PG/ 76 minutes.
Limited seating. First come first – seated.
(260) 421-1210 – acpl.com
Not-So-Frightening Fun
Allen County Public Library – (Inside Library)
Globe Room
900 Library Plaza
Noon – 4:00pm
Free
Join us to make 3 different kid-friendly crafts in the Globe room. Suitable for all ages! Please note this a Zombie Free Zone.
(260) 421-1220 – acpl.com
Trunk or Treat Soiree
Central Branch YMCA Parking Lot (Corner of Washington and Barr St)
1020 Barr St
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Free
The Central Branch YMCA will be holding a Trunk or Treat in our parking lot on the corner of Washington and Barr Street. Please join us for fun, games, and treats. This is a FREE event from 1:00pm – 4:00pm!
(260) 422-6486 – fwymca.org
Zombie Central (Zombie Walk) at ACPL Plaza
Allen County Public Library Plaza
900 Library Plaza
1:00pm – 5:30pm (Zombie Walk begins at 5:30pm)
Free
Join us at the ACPL Plaza to get your zombie makeover! T.A.G. Art will be on site with their Zombie Machine to help turn you into the undead. Make sure to swing by one of the great restaurants Downtown or check out the food trucks which will be on hand to help curb your ghoulish appetite, as well as live entertainment from various performers. And of course, thousands of zombies will flood the streets of Fort Wayne during the annual Zombie Walk. (Zombie Walk starting at 5:30pm!)
(260) 420-3266 – frightnightdowntown.com
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES AT THE ACPL LIBRARY PLAZA
T.A.G. Zombie Machine
T.A.G. Art will be on the Library Plaza from 1:00pm – 4:30pm with their Zombie Machine, helping turn Downtown Fort Wayne into the undead! Plan to arrive early to ensure enough time to complete your chilling make-over. All ages are welcome! – tagartcompany.com
First Federal Bank Photo Booooth!
Stop by the First Federal Bank Photo Booooth to capture your Fright Night memories with family and friends. Stumble away with a free printed copy of your photos and share them on social media too. Suitable for all ages! – first-fed.com
First Federal Bank Extreme Pumpkin Carving Demonstrations
Join First Federal Bank beginning at 2pm as they host professional carvers from Ice Creations for ongoing demonstrations of extreme pumpkin carving and a display of their pumpkin creations that have even been featured on Food Network. Plus, enter to win one to take home. (No purchase necessary. Winners determined by random drawing.) – first-fed.com
Fort Wayne Mad Ants Trick-Shot-Toe
The Fort Wayne Mad Ants are excited to be a part of Fright Night 2018! Join us on the Library Plaza to hang out with our mascot “The Mad Ant.” You can also challenge your friends and family to a game of “Trick-Shot-Toe” an exciting cross between basketball and Tic-Tac-Toe! The Fort Wayne Mad Ants are committed to their fans and the Fort Wayne community and look forward to seeing you Downtown for a spooky day of fun. – fortwayne.gleague.nba.com
Majic 95.1 Weird Science
Stop by the MAJIC 95.1 Weird Science Lab and help us find a cure for the Zombie Virus. Tune in to MAJIC 95.1 for Fright Night Updates. – majic951.com
Fun 101.7 Mummy Monkey
The Fun 101.7 team will be hanging out at the ACPL Plaza and joining them is the Mummy Monkey! Listen for all the information about all the Fright Night events on Fun 101.7. fun1017.com
ALT 99.5/WANE TV Music Stage
Enjoy musical performances by PlumDingo and the Fort Wayne Fright Orchestra at the ALT 99.5/WANE TV Music stage. alt995.com – wane.com
Halloween Haunt
Community Center
233 W Main St
2:00pm – 5:00pm
All ages
Free Admission
Downtown Fort Wayne becomes a haven for monsters, ghosts, vampires and zombies on Saturday afternoon. Bring your little goblins to the Community Center for an afternoon of frightful fun with games and activities that are sure to keep you howling for more. Register for the Pumpkin Carving contest at noon on
www.fortwayneparks.org or call (260)427-6000 and use Code #443001-S1. Anthony Wayne Lions Club will have concessions available for purchase.
Ghost- Pops
Allen County Public Library – (Inside Library)
Meeting Room B
900 Library Plaza
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Free
Stop by and turn a lollipop into a cute, tasty, friendly ghost! Good only while supplies last! Suitable for all ages.
(260) 421-1255 – acpl.com
Zombies Got Talent
Allen County Public Library – (Inside Library)
Meeting Room A
900 Library Plaza
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Free
Are you a zombie? Can you sing, dance or tell a great joke? Do you feel that the other zombies don’t appreciate your unique talents? This competition for zombies and monsters is your chance to shine! If you wish to compete, please sign up in advance by calling 260-421-1255. Content should be rated G or PG. Spectators are welcome on a first come, first seated basis.
(260) 421-1255 – acpl.com
Phantom of the Organ
Trinity Episcopal Church
611 W Berry St
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Free
Spine-tingling music played on the mighty pipe organ. Organist, Wayne Peterson, will be joined by singer David Dilsizian (Grand Rapids), and other guests, to present a frighteningly fun event for all ages!
Free admission. Trick-or-Treat Candy. Free Fright Night Parking for concert attendees behind the church.
(260) 423-1693 – trinityfw.org
Fright Night “Spooktacular” Car Show
USF Performing Arts Center
431 W Berry St
4:00pm – 8:00pm
Spectators – Free
Car Registration $10
Giant car show! Kick off the Halloween season with this car, truck and bike event. Lotz of spooky awards!! Giveaways!! Also, trunk or treat for the kids!! Get treats from the participants!! DJ Fast Eddie!! Best decorated vehicles!! Costume contests. (adult & child) best decorated pumpkin contests! Zombie Cha Cha Slide!! Games and contests!! Hula hoop!! Limbo!!
(260) 273-1447 – kroozincalendar.com
A Night in the Old City Jail
The History Center
302 E Berry St
5:00pm – 9:00pm
$3 per person
Dare to be scared at The History Center! Travel through the darker side of Fort Wayne’s past with a visit to the Old City Hall Building. Get goose bumps inside the iron cells that housed generations of inmates in the Old City Jail. Take your very own mug shot and discover the artifacts of those who broke and upheld the laws throughout Fort Wayne’s history.
Glimpse the decayed remnants of General Wayne’s actual coffin fragments while enjoying Mad Anthony’s Monster Mix Candy Mashup. Stroll the creaking floors of the museum through our halls of hair-raising heritage. Are you brave enough to discover Fort Wayne’s frightening past? If so, enjoy Fright Night at The History Center. (260) 426-2882 – https://www.fwhistorycenter.org/
Parkview Field Scavenger Hunt
Parkview Field
1301 Ewing St
5:00pm – 7:00pm
Free
Come out to Parkview Field and search for all the ghosts and pumpkins that are hidden around the ballpark! Attendees can take as much time as they need during the hours of 5:00pm to 7:00pm to count how many ghosts and pumpkins are around the ballpark. The fan who guesses the correct number, or closest to that, will win a special prize pack from the TinCaps and Parkview Field!
(260) 482-6400 – tincaps.com – parkviewfield.com
Bonfire at the Courtyard
Courtyard by Marriott
1150 S Harrison St
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Free
There will be a bonfire serving Fright Dogs, Blood Soup & Hot Chocolate.
All items are $2.00, and proceeds will be donated to Back on My Feet, a charity organization. (260) 490-3629 – marriott.com/fwadt
Magic, Music and Wizardry
Grand Wayne Convention Center
120 W Jefferson Blvd
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Free
Bring your little wizards-in-training for a family -friendly evening of magical fun. It’s a Harry kind-a-night at the photo stage with the most famous wizard in the universe. A visiting professor from the world of magic amazes the audience and DJ La La cranks up the heat with a dancin’ beat. Create your own Scintillo crepundium, a magically enhanced toy, with assistance from the wizards of Science Central. No trickery allowed in the balloon art and face painting zones and please leave your flying owls at home. This amazing event is for wizards 8 years and under.
(260) 426-4100 – grandwayne.com
Create a Crepundium
Science Central at the Grand Wayne Convention Center 120 W Jefferson Blvd
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Free
Join Science Central’s wizards at the Grand Wayne Center during the Magic, Music and Wizardry event. At this free activity station, use science and magic to create your own Scintillo crepundium, a magically enchanted toy! Appropriate for all ages, wizards and muggles alike. Present your Survival Guide at Science Central through Oct. 31 for $2 off admission for up to 8 people.
(260) 424-2400 – sciencecentral.org
Fright Night Lantern Tours
Fort Wayne’s Historic Old Fort
1201 Spy Run Ave, Parking and Directions oldfortwayne.org/plan-a-visit/
6:00pm – 10:30pm
Gates open at 6pm. Last ticket sold at 9:30pm. Tours are approximately 15 minutes.
$5, Kids 9 and under Free
Tour Fort Wayne’s Historic Old Fort, your way lit only by a lantern and your guide. Stories of bygone eras, ancient tales at the campfire, and a close encounter with the Headless Horseman await visitors. Enter the front gate and venture to a time when soldiers of the garrison, and officers including a young Lieutenant Philip Ostrander, once called Fort Wayne their home. Refreshments available at the Bake Sale in the Modern Building. Gate opens at 6:00pm.
(260) 437-2836 – oldfortwayne.org
Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Historic Tales of Fort Wayne’s Nefarious Past (*)
ARCH, Inc
Lobby Hallway in the Grand Wayne Center
120 W Jefferson Blvd
6:00pm – 10:00pm – Tours starting at the top of the hour $10 adults- $5 ages 6-17/Parental Discretion Advised
Hear about Fort Wayne’s dark and bloody past filled with murder, hangings and feuds. This walking tour is not for the faint of heart and may not be suitable for all ages.
(260) 426-5117 – archfw.org
Haunted Sites-Bus Tour-All Aboard the Coach of Chills (*)
ARCH, Inc
Lobby Hallway in the Grand Wayne Center
120 W Jefferson Blvd
6:00pm, 8:00pm and 10:00pm
$15 adults – $10 ages 5-17/Parental Discretion Advised
Three spooky bus tours will usher you through historic sites of fright, with tales of terror that cloud our city’s night.
Bus tours leave from Anthony Wayne Ballroom at the Grand Wayne Center.
(260) 426-5117 – archfw.org
Hitchcock Double Feature – The Birds & Psycho
Embassy Theatre
125 W Jefferson Blvd
7:00pm – Midnight
$10 for both movies or 1 movie for $7
In this Alfred Hitchcock double bill, rediscover the master of suspense! THE BIRDS (7 p.m.): This Hitchcock thriller centers on a California coastal town under avian assault. PSYCHO (10 p.m.): A psychotic motel owner obsesses over his late mother. See Both movies for $10 or pick 1 for $7! Doors will open an hour before each film. Wear a Hitchcock- themed costume for the pre-movie contest! Sponsored by Jefferson Pointe.
(260) 424-5665 – fwembassytheatre.org
Rocky Horror Picture Show (*)
Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory
1100 S Calhoun St
9:00pm – 11:00pm/ Doors open at 7:00pm
$4 adults – $2 for ages 17 & under
Join us, once again, as we spin the tale of Brad and Janet on a rainy night sheltered by the bizarre Dr. Frank N. Furter. This cult classic movie will be shown outside on the Terrace, weather permitting; please dress accordingly. Lawn chairs encouraged. No outside food or beverage as there will be refreshments available for purchase. This movie is participatory in tradition and content may not be suitable for younger audiences. Rated R; children under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Please no rice or confetti. No reservations necessary. Sponsored by Mad Anthony Brewing Company and ALT 99.5.
(260) 427-6440 – botanicalConservatory.org
Dead Celebrities Roast Battle (*)
Maumee Mary & Joseph Comedy Festival at O’Reilly’s Irish Bar and Grill
301 W Jefferson Blvd #120
10pm – Midnight
Tickets $8 – $5 in costume
Your favorite dead celebrities are back from the grave to say terrible things about each other! Come witness verbal violence from beyond the grave!! Costume contest will be held after the show. Event will be 21+ and feature adult humor.
(260) 222-8525 – mmjcomedyfestival.com
(*) = not suitable for all ages
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