Several Halloween celebrations are planned across Logan and Champaign counties in the coming days, offering families opportunities to enjoy trick-or-treating, games, costumes, food, and other seasonal activities ahead of Halloween.
Communities will host events throughout the final week of October, with a permanent countywide Beggars Night schedule established in Logan County and individual community times announced in Champaign County.
Logan County
West Liberty will kick off several local celebrations with its fifth annual Halloween Spooktacular on Thursday, October 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. along East Columbus Street.
Hosted by the West Liberty Businesses Association, the free event will feature games with prizes, inflatables, balloon animals, henna and glitter tattoos, face painting, photo backdrops, and a costume contest.
DJ Skelly will provide spooky music, and food trucks will be available.
A dog costume contest is also planned, and the event is described as animal-friendly and accessible along the street and sidewalks.
West Liberty’s village-wide trick-or-treating will follow from 6 to 7:30 p.m. that evening.
The Logan County History Center will host Halloween KidFest on Saturday, October 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. at 521 East Columbus Avenue in Bellefontaine.
Children can trick-or-treat through the Logan County Transportation Museum, explore spooky hallways and decorated rooms in the Logan County Museum, and walk around the Orr Mansion.
A pumpkin patch will be set up in the mansion’s front yard, where children can choose a pumpkin while supplies last.
Admission is free, although visitors are encouraged to bring canned goods or other nonperishable food items for a local food pantry.
Children must be accompanied by an adult, and costumed volunteers will be stationed throughout the History Center.
The Lakeview Pumpkin Walk is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Activities will include games, a haunted house, pumpkin decorating, a costume contest, food trucks, and more.
Organizers encourage attendees to wear costumes.
West Mansfield will also hold trick-or-treating on Thursday, October 29, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
A free chili and hot dog supper will be served at the Hays Community Center from 5 to 7 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Logan County Mayors Association established a permanent countywide Beggars Night schedule following a vote in July.
Leaders from Bellefontaine, Lakeview, Rushsylvania, Zanesfield, Huntsville, and Russells Point agreed that trick-or-treating will take place annually on October 31 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
The decision creates a consistent schedule after communities previously used varying dates and times.
Champaign County
Downtown St. Paris will host A Spooktacular Day on Sunday, October 25, from noon to 6 p.m. along South Springfield Street.
Hosted by Whitman’s Bike Shop, the free event will feature live wrestling presented by Khaos United Wrestling from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., along with axe throwing, food and beverage vendors, craft vendors, children’s games, putt-putt golf, and trick-or-treating.
A cake walk hosted by Luna Belle’s Sweet Shoppe is scheduled for 12:30 to 2 p.m., benefiting the St. Paris Food Pantry.
DJ Reborn will provide music, while Christmas in the Village will offer kettle corn, a basket raffle, and a food pantry donation collection.
Downtown Urbana will host Let the Ghoul Times Roll on Friday, October 30, from 5 to 8 p.m.
The free family event will feature trunk-or-treating, decorated vehicles, Halloween decorations, candy, a bounce house, games, and music.
Families are encouraged to wear costumes and enjoy an evening of Halloween activities downtown.
Melvin Miller Park in Urbana will host Trails and Treats on Saturday, October 31, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Families can walk along the park’s bike path and collect candy from participating businesses and community members.
Food trucks and inflatables will also be available.
Several Champaign County communities have scheduled trick-or-treating for Halloween night, Saturday, October 31.
Urbana, St. Paris, Mechanicsburg, North Lewisburg and Christiansburg will hold trick-or-treating from 6 to 8 p.m.
