Some local Halloween activities not only highlight Springfield’s mysterious past, but also show off what the downtown of today has to offer.
Events such as the upcoming
Ghost Walking Tours are part of what “creates connection points” within the community, says Chris Schutte, vice president for destination marketing and communications for
The Greater Springfield Partnership.
“You’re trying to create not just a sense of place, but a sense of pride,” he says, pointing to the Halloween activities as well as the many other events located downtown, such as the recent MustardFest and CultureFest.
These types of events appeal to current residents and also attract visitors into Clark County, he says.
When the ghost tours began several years ago, one of the goals was to entice more visitors downtown, says Krissy Brown, the
Springfield Arts Council’s associate creative director. And that has happened – the tours have sold out every year.
“As downtown keeps having more and more things pop up, we love being a part of that,” Brown says.
The stories told on the different ghost tours that the Springfield Arts Council is partnering to host are “based on truths,” and tour-goers will hear about well-known names, buildings and locations, she says.
While the tours appeal to guests who enjoy spooky stories, they also are an entertaining way to learn more about Springfield’s history and importance to both Ohio and the country, she says.
“Personally, I think it’s really important for us to remember Springfield’s roots,” she says.
Also expected to draw families into Springfield this Halloween season is the annual downtown trick-or-treat, which is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Fri. Oct. 28.
Elsewhere in Clark County, visitors can celebrate the season by exchanging ghosts and ghouls for pumpkins and corn.
Evans Family Ranch in New Carlisle is launching its first Fall Fun on the Farm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 24 to Oct. 30. Guests can visit a corn maze and pumpkin patch and take a wagon ride. And
Young’s Jersey Dairy, outside of Yellow Springs, is hosting Fall Farm Pumpkin Fun each day through Oct. 30, with a corn maze, pumpkins, wagon rides and pumpkin-flavored goodies.
Some local Halloween events, such as a nighttime walking tour of mausoleums at
Ferncliff Cemetery & Arboretum and several of the scheduled ghost walks, are already sold out. Events in which pre-purchased tickets are required or recommended include:
Ghost Walking Tours
Who: Offered by the
National Trail Parks and Recreation District in partnership with the Springfield Arts Council.
What: A one-mile walking tour through historic downtown Springfield led by a guide in a 19th-century costume will blend historical facts with tales of mystery, legends, folklore and ghosts! The Downtown East tour includes stories from 2021’s tour, and the Downtown West has “new scares,” according to NTPRD. For ages 10 and older.
When: Thurs., Oct. 6, 13 and 20
7 – 8:15 p.m.: Downtown West
7:45 – 9 p.m.: Downtown East
Where: Meet at 202 N. Limestone St.
How: Tickets are $12 and must be purchased by the prior Monday.
For more information, visit
https://ntprd.org/ghost-tours-of-springfield
Sips & Spirits Ghost Tours
Who: Offered by the National Trail Parks and Recreation District in partnership with the Springfield Arts Council and Mother Stewart’s Brewing Company.
What: This one-mile ghost tour will feature “sinister and scary stories” with a guide in 19th-century garb, according to NTPRD. Tours begin and end at Mother Stewart’s Brewing and include a beer or soda afte the walk. Downtown East tours have stories from 2021, while Downtown West tours include new tales. (All stories are the same as those told in the Ghost Tours.)
For ages 18 and older.
When: Wed., Oct. 5 and 12
7 – 8:15 p.m.: Downtown West
7:45 – 9 p.m.: Downtown East
Where: Meet at Mother Stewart’s Brewing, 102 W. Columbia St.
How: Tickets are $17 and must be purchased by one week prior.
For more information, visit
https://ntprd.org/sips-spirits
Haunted Halloween Drive-Thru
Who: Offered by the
Clark County Park District and the Friends of the Clark County Park District
What: View family-friendly Halloween scenes, with a few frights along the path! Decorating your car also gives visitors a chance to win a Halloween-themed prize basket. Tickets are expected to sell out by the afternoon of Fri. Oct. 14.
When: 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. Fri., Oct. 14 and Sat., Oct. 15
Where: George Rogers Clark Park, 930 S. Tecumseh Road
How: Pre-sale tickets are $15 per carload (any size) through Oct. 13, or $20 at the gate.
For more information, visit
https://clarkcountyparks.org/haunted-drive-thru/