Halloween Harvest Fest Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Kathy O’Reilly
Saugatuck/Douglas Convention & Visitors Bureau
ffairchild@saugatuck.com
(269) 857-1701 or (269) 857-5985
OCTOBER 31, 2009
Come celebrate Halloween with “ghosts, goblins, ghouls” in Michigan’s premier beachtown. Witches, Warlocks, monsters, mummies, werewolves - curious creatures of all sorts, shapes and sizes will materialize in Saugatuck & Douglas on Saturday October 31, 2009 for the 22nd Annual Halloween Harvest Festival.
The day-long festival features an arts-and-crafts fair, costume judging, parades, face-painting, story- telling and dancers. There will also be food booths that will offer a variety of delicacies including cinnamon roasted nuts, Kettlecorn, gourmet dips and mixes.
Festivities will kick off at 10 am with the opening of the arts & crafts fair at Village Square in downtown Saugatuck. Fine and traditional media will include sculptural glass, innovative jewelry, stoneware, pottery, fiber, wood and watercolors.
At 2 pm, children can express themselves in the medium of chalk - provided free on site! - by drawing their own spooky images on the tennis court in the Village Square. Also, throughout the day children will be able to talk live on site with the Great Pumpkin in front of the playground at Village Square.
The highlight of all festivities will be the Halloween Costume Family Parade. Participants will gather promptly at 3 pm at the corner of Mason & Griffith Streets for a pre-parade party hosted by the White House Bistro who will proved free cider and doughnuts to participants. Costume judging will take place precisely at 3:30 pm. Ribbons will be awarded to the funniest, scariest, most creative, best group & best pet. The parade will be MC’d’ by local radio celebrities Mike Johnson & Dave Mueller from the “The Morning Grind”, talk show The Van Radio 92.7 FM.
At the parade’s conclusion, participants and others are invited to pull up a hay bale and take a seat at the tennis courts for the Story Spinners of Grand Rapids who will present a frightfully delightful Halloween story and dance revue.
The days fun continues well into the evening with a second parade in Douglas for adults followed by a variety of costume parties in numerous area pubs, bars and restaurants. Participants will assemble at Beery Field in Douglas at 9:30 pm with the parade kicking off at 10 pm. For further information contact the Visitors Bureau at 269-857-5985 or www.saugatuck.com
ADDITIONAL OCTOBER ACTIVITIES
In addition to Halloween activities, other area organizations are providing the following events:
The Saugatuck Center for the Arts will present the popular “Fresh Art & Fresh Film” returns for a Halloween engagement at the SCA on Friday October 30, 2009 from 10 am to Noon. Kids will watch professionally made films for young audiences with a spooky Halloween theme, then head to the art studio for pumpkin decorating! Call the SCA (269) 857-02399 to register or just drop in.
The Saugatuck Area Business Association has many fun filled activities planned for October 17th from Noon until 5 pm at the 2nd Annual Fall Finest in Coghlin Park featuring food, music & activities for the children including Pumpkin carving, Pumpkin decorating & fire engine rides. For further information on October 17th events, call (269) 857-1620.
Crane Orchards will be holding their annual Haunted Corn Maze and 3D Special Effects Barn (6054 124th Avenue, Fennville) the thrills start at dark and continue through 10 pm on Fridays & Saturdays, October 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30th & 31st. This event is not recommended for children 10 and under. Admission costs $14.00. Phone (269) 561-8651 for information.
Contact Visitors Bureau Event Coordinator Kathy O’Reilly at (269) 857-1701 or e-mail staff@saugatuck.com For further information on Saugatuck/Douglas area lodging please call 269-857-5985 or visit www.saugatuck.com
Photography by Felicia Fairchild
Copyright 2009 Saugatuck-Douglas Convention & Visitors Bureau All Rights Reserved
No reproduction is authorized unless by express written permission