Salem will once again celebrate Halloween with a slate of family-friendly events during the final weekend of October.
Pumpkinfest will return Oct. 24 to the Salem Farmers Market for its 25th year. The silver anniversary event, hosted by Dick and Dave from Q99, will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Children can enjoy trick-or-treating, costume contests, face painting, sand art, a bake sale and the “Chefs vs. Surgeons” Jack O’Lantern patch, where visitors can vote for their favorite carved pumpkin.
Admission for adults is $5, while children 15 and under get in free. Unlimited activity wristbands for children are $5. Proceeds will benefit Area 8 Special Olympics.
Food will be available from Dale’s Diner, The Tailgate, Kettle Cooker Express and Sweet Surrender Ice Cream. The Dundies will perform live music.
Pumpkinfest is presented by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home. Sponsors include Q99, Kroger, Fisher Insurance Services, Impact Title and Settlement, and Salem Parks and Recreation.
Other Salem Halloween events include downtown trick-or-treating with merchants on Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to noon along Main Street. Participating businesses will display a pumpkin sticker in their windows. Renewal by Andersen is sponsoring the downtown event.
Traditional neighborhood trick-or-treating across the city will take place Oct. 31.
-The Salem Times-Register
