OCTOBER 2022 — Calling all costumed characters, ghouls, goblins, witches, superheroes, and everyone in between. Head to downtown Ithaca from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28, to enjoy family-friendly Halloween activities.

Guests are welcome to join the community costume parade and store-to-store trick-or-treating at participating locations (look for a “Halloween in Downtown” poster prominently displayed in their storefront window). Stores on the Commons, Aurora Street, East State Street, Cayuga Street, Green Street, and inside the Dewitt Mall will be part of this boo-tiful celebration.

This afternoon of innocent and fun frolic will also feature mini-games, balloon creations by Amazing Pete, warm apple cider, and tons of sweet treats.

For the community parade, participants will meet up at GIAC, 301 W. Court St., Ithaca, at 3 p.m. and then march to The Commons on E. State Street for a trick-or-treating. Following the downtown trick-or-treating, GIAC invites you to join them for a party at its Court Street site. They’ll be serving warm meat and vegetarian chilis prepared by the Greater Ithaca Activities Center Teen Catering Program.

Halloween in Downtown Ithaca is organized by The Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) and Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) and presented by Travis Hyde Properties and Maguire Hyundai Subaru Genesis, and all of its festivities are free admittance for everyone.

“Halloween in Downtown presents the perfect opportunity for families to explore downtown while collecting free goodies at participating businesses. Our shopkeepers love seeing all of the trick-or-treaters in their costumes. We enjoy hosting this activity because it provides a fun and safe way for the area’s youth to enjoy the holiday,” says Darlene M. Wilber, DIA communications director.

Additional Halloween-related, family-friendly activities happening downtown include a Halloween Market Party from 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29 in Press Bay, 118 W. Green St, Ithaca. For more information about these and other Halloween-related events, visit downtownithaca.com.