Madison, Wis. (August 31, 2011)—The Downtown Madison Family Halloween will offer a day of fun on State Street and the Capitol Square on Friday, October 28, 2011. Afternoon activities for families and kids 12 and under include Halloween magic shows, hayrides around the Capitol Square, ghostly songs and stories, festive Halloween family portraits, trick or treating at participating businesses, and more. Stay into the evening for “Beakers and Broomsticks” at the Madison Children’s Museum. Information is at visitdowntownmadison.com/FamilyHalloween or at (608) 512-1342.
The event name been changed to “Downtown Madison Family Halloween” (from past year’s “Downtown Family Trick or Treat”) to reflect the expanded activities and entertainment offerings.
Activities to include:
1) At the Wisconsin Historical Museum “Halloween Week” (30 N. Carroll St., admission by donation.):
-Noon-1:00 pm and 3:00–4:00 pm: “I’m not scared: Ghostly songs and stories from Wisconsin (and places close by)” from singer, author, and storyteller Stuart Stotts.
-2:00 pm: Mystery Movie: “The Mystery of Mr. Wong” (1939, 68 min)
-10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Museum Scavenger Hunt and Colorful Character appearances
2) Madison Parks Hayrides on the Capitol Square, 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Hay rides around the Capitol Square, pulled by tractor, leaving approx. every 20 minutes. Pickup point near Capitol Kids, 8 S. Carroll St. $2.00/person, no reservations required. Call (608) 266-4711 or see http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/celebrate/hayrides.cfm for more information.
3) Halloween Magic & Ventriloquist Show by Wayne the Wizard at the Overture Center for the Arts (201 State St., Free). Kids of all ages will thrill to a dazzling array of illusions with a Halloween theme. Enjoy shows in Overture’s Rotunda Stage at 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 pm.
4) Halloween photos at IsthmusParents.com, 101 King St., 2:00-5:00 pm (Free). IsthmusParents.com will take pictures of kids in costume in front of a Halloween scene, and post them online.
5) Downtown Trick or Treat. Families and children ages 12 and under can trick or treat at participating businesses on State Street and the Capitol Square from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. (Free)
6) Beakers & Broomsticks at Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton St., 6:00 – 8:30 pm. Spooky science, zany Halloween antics, and more for ages 0-12. Purchase tickets and find additional event information at http://www.MadisonChildrensMuseum.org or (608) 354-0541.
More activities to be announced! For details and announcements, see http://www.visitdowntownmadison.com/FamilyHalloween.
These Halloween family fun events are presented by Madison’s Central Business Improvement District (BID), with support from the Greater State Street Business Association, IsthmusParents.com, and The University Book Store. Programming partners include Madison Children’s Museum, Madison Parks, Madison’s Central Library, Overture Center for the Arts and the Wisconsin Historical Museum.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Downtown Madison Family Halloween activities: Mary Carbine, Madison Central BID, (608) 512-1340, mcarbine@visitdowntownmadison.com
Madison Parks Hayrides: Laura Whitmore, Madison Parks, (608) 266-5949, LWhitmore@cityofmadison.com
Madison Children’s Museum Beakers & Broomsticks: Kia Karlen, Madison Children’s Museum, (608) 354-0541, kkarlen@madisonchildrensmuseum.org
