FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Matt Maisel
Director of Communications, City of Harrisburg
(717) 255-7295
[email protected]
October 19, 2023
HARRISBURG – Spooky season returns to Harrisburg with family friendly Halloween activities throughout the rest of October.
Following a successful debut last year, the Bash at the Brownstone Halloween party returns to Reservoir Park on Wednesday, October 25 from 6-9 p.m. This year’s Bash will feature all the fun and games that made the inaugural festival so much fun, with some minor changes. Most notably, the costume contest. This year, contestants will have their picture taken at a tent on-site, and given a number. Contestants can arrive at the tent any time before 8 p.m., at which point, judges will decide the winners in three age groups: 0-5 years old, 6-12 years old, and 13-17 years old.
Winners will be announced before the end of the night, and prizes will be awarded.
In addition to the popular costume contest, all children will receive giveaway bags with sweet treats and other goodies. There will be hot dogs and popcorn available, as well. There will be face painting, as well as a magician, and villains walking around for pictures. New this year will be a goat cuddling station.
Best of all, everything at the Bash at the Brownstone is free!
“Giving kids a safe, family-friendly Halloween is one of the most important things we can do as a Parks and Recreation department,” said Parks and Recreation Director Sasha Ross. “Last year’s first-ever Bash went better than we could have possibly imagined, and it gives us the motivation to go above and beyond to make Year 2 even better.”
Making a return to Harrisburg’s “spooky season” this year is trick-or-treating on Halloween night!
City-wide trick-or-treating will take place on Tuesday, October 31 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. It is a change from years past, when trick-or-treat night was typically held the Thursday before Halloween. However, the change was made by Mayor Williams’ administration to spread out the spooky fun.
“With the Bash at the Brownstone on Wednesday, we wanted to space out the Halloween activities as much as we could,” said Communications Director Matt Maisel. “We know a lot of people go out trick-or-treating Halloween night anyway because that is when neighboring townships do it, so it just made the most sense to us to bring it back home on Halloween.”
Besides events run by the City, there are numerous other Halloween-based activities to take part in throughout Harrisburg.
- The Midtown Cinema is offering special Halloween films throughout the month, ranging from classic horror movies to family-friendly screenings.
- Arts on the Square is hosting an Organ Spooktacular: Masquerade Ball on Friday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Market Square Church. Click their website for more information on tickets.
- The Historic Harrisburg Association is holding a “Harrisburg Cold Cases” exhibit in connection with 3rd in the Burg.
- Wildwood Park and Olewine Nature Center is hosting a family-friendly exhibit on Saturday night, October 21, where kids can see night-critters close up, while enjoying a campfire, s’mores, and apple cider.
- Open Stage Harrisburg will host a special edition of its Court Street Cabaret on Thursday, October 26, with performers singing Halloween classic tunes.
- The Mad Scientist Trick or Treat Trail will take place at the Whitaker Center on Saturday, October 28. Kids will be able to learn about creepy specimens, “jumping ghosts,” take part in Halloween-themed Minecraft, and much more.
Visit explorehbg.com for more information on everything going on in Harrisburg this Halloween season and beyond!
