Organizers announce Spookytown events
By CYNTHIA AUKERMAN
News-Gazette reporter
Organizers of Union City's Spookytown celebration downtown on Friday have announced details for the event, which will include entertainment, food, games, prizes and hayrides.
KISS-TV will be sponsoring games (ring toss, pie throwing) on Columbia Street. Daystar Grace Brethren Church will sponsor a corn hole tournament, at a cost of $5 per two-person team. The winning team will take home half of the proceeds. The tournament starts at 7 p.m.
The Union City Community High School Dance Team will be performing at 6:30 p.m. on the stage on Columbia and Oak streets, followed by the Play It By Ear quartet. The Green River Boys will perform at 8 p.m., in the Community Room, and the Ambassadors from North Side Elementary will perform at 8:30 p.m. on the stage.
KISS TV will present "Guitar Hero," a computerized rock and roll game at 7:30 p.m. at the stage. Rick Root will be telling spooky stories in the stage area at 8 p.m..
The teen dance will start at 8 p.m. in front of the Antique Mall, followed by a scary movie to be shown on a big screen at 9 p.m. in the same location.
The pumpkin decorating prizes will be announced following the last of the entertainment at the stage. The home decorating prizes will be announced in the stage area after the Lions Club judging at the stage.
November's First Friday will become October's Last Friday, from 8 to 11 p.m. in the Community Room. There will be wine and cheese for adults, courtesy of The Preservation Society. The adult costume contest winners will be announced at 10:30, if everybody can stay up that long.
The UCCHS FFA chapter will offer hayrides for a nominal fee from 7 to 9 p.m., with the routes including some of the best-decorated homes.
Sigma Phi Gamma will be offering hot dogs, hot chicken and barbecue sandwiches. The Downtown Revitalization Group will be selling popcorn and cider. Delta Theta Tau will be giving away Ghost Tootsie Pops. The Mansion Bed and Breakfast will be selling cotton candy, and the Beautification Committee will be selling walking tacos and drinks.
The Sweet Shoppe will be open later than normal, with soups, sandwiches and daily specials. Taqueria Luz Tacos will have tacos, burritos, quesadillas and other food.
Several businesses, including The Antique Mall, will be staying open late and/or having open houses.
Of course, the Lions Club's traditional Halloween parade will take place downtown, with the formation at 4:30 p.m. across from the post office. The judging will take place at the stage on Columbia and Oak streets. Trick or Treat hours are 6 to 8 p.m. on both sides of the State Line.
Organizers urge participants to bring lawn chairs and blankets in case it's cold. There will also be picnic tables, benches and hay bales at various locations for additional seating.
