Creative participants wanted for Halloween Downtown

The expanding event offers Halloween enthusiasts an opportunity to join the fun.

City of Eugene Cultural Services is seeking help from the community to make Halloween Downtown bigger, better and more bone-chilling than ever.

The annual free event, which attracted more than 5,000 visitors in 2023, is a longtime favorite among Eugene residents and regional tourists. The celebration traditionally has spanned across three blocks of Broadway to provide an afternoon of family friendly trick-or-treating, local vendor booths, circus performers, flash mobs and a crowd-pleasing pet parade.

This year, the Cultural Services Community Events team is planning to expand the event with a larger downtown footprint and more attractions that cater to both younger and older audiences. Downtown Events and Permit Coordinator David Dickinson said he's excited to see the event grow in a way that will maintain fun and playful experiences for children and toddlers but also add scarier features for teenagers and adults. He is also working with local artists to add a flair of creativity with interactive art projects.

"We will repeat the successful merchant trick-or-treat circuit peppered with flash mobs and performers, but we will be adding an exciting new layer," Dickinson said. "We are working with downtown businesses and spooky local artists to create a map peppered with frightful attractions. Early indicators tell us the experience will be monstrous."

Dickinson is now looking for community members interested in contributing to Halloween Downtown. Artists, musicians, performers, vendors, community organizations, businesses and enthusiasts are all invited to participate by sharing their unique skills or offerings at the event. Anyone who can provide haunting encounters, creative experiences or simply wants to volunteer is encouraged to apply by completing an interest form from the event webpage: https://eugene-or.gov/5287/Halloween-Downtown-Call-to-Artists

Submissions will be accepted until noon Thursday, Aug. 8. Not all submissions are guaranteed inclusion in the event. Halloween Downtown will be held Saturday, Oct. 26.

Cultural Services provides year-round programming to promote public art and cultural events throughout Eugene. The team is committed to responsible and visionary leadership to support the public's vision for a thriving arts and cultural sector that contributes to the community's social and economic well-being.

For more City updates visit our City Newsroom webpage.

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