Halloween Happenings in the City 2024

October 10, 2024

Halloween Happenings in the City
New this Year: Gourdoween and Pumpkin Smashing
 

Get ready for a thrilling Halloween season in Traverse City! The City of Traverse City is excited to announce a lineup of festive events, offering fun for all ages.

Halloween Open House at the Governmental Center: October 25th

Get into the Halloween spirit at the City and Grand Traverse County's family-friendly Halloween Open House! Join the fun on Friday, October 25, 2024, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Governmental Center, 400 Boardman Avenue. This community-favorite event offers trick-or-treating, festive activities, and a chance to meet local government staff in a fun, welcoming environment.

Kids can explore fire trucks, police vehicles, and Department of Public Services equipment while meeting local heroes who help keep our community safe. Come in costume and bring the whole family for Halloween fun!

Gourdoween: October 22nd-31st

A brand-new tradition is set to debut this year—Gourdoween! Get ready for a spooktacular showdown as City and Grand Traverse County departments face off in a creative challenge to craft the ultimate gourd diorama. These eerie or quirky displays will be on view at the Governmental Center, where the public will get the chance to cast their vote for their favorite between October 22nd and October 31st. Which department will win the coveted Gourdoween title? Only your vote can decide!

Pumpkin Smashing Extravaganza: November 9th

The City is excited to team up with Carter’s Compost and SEEDS to announce the Pumpkin Smashing Extravaganza, a community event focused on sustainability and fun, happening on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the City’s in-vessel composting unit, located at 143 Beitner. This free event will welcome the public to smash their pumpkins at various activity stations. In addition, pumpkin drop-off will be allowed from November 1st, and will continue until 1:00 pm on November 9th. Pumpkins should be free to any decorations and paint.

The new 20-yard in-vessel composting unit is a key part of the City’s Compost and Food Waste Reduction project. This fully enclosed system, ideal for urban settings, can process approximately 150 tons of food waste annually.

The City aims to divert 1 ton of pumpkins from landfills. With 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins produced annually in the U.S., many end up in landfills, contributing to methane emissions—landfills account for 20% of the U.S.’s methane output. Composting pumpkins helps reduce greenhouse gases, diverts waste, and returns nutrients to the soil, improving environmental health. This event is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to reduce emissions and educate the public on how they can make incremental steps toward food waste reduction.

Halloween: Thursday, October 31st

Halloween will take place on Thursday, October 31, 2024, within the City limits from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Participating residents are asked to promptly turn lights on and off at the specified times to indicate their participation to the public.

Halloween Safety

As Halloween approaches, with plenty of neighborhood gatherings and Trick-or-Treating, the Traverse City Fire Department reminds everyone to stay extra mindful of increased pedestrian traffic. Keep your headlights on, slow down, and be on the lookout for excited little ghosts and goblins who may dash out unexpectedly. Let’s keep Halloween fun and safe for everyone!

The Traverse City Police Department recommends the following safety tips to help make this Halloween a safe and enjoyable holiday for our children.

Costume Safety

  • Use make-up or face paint instead of masks. If masks are used, make sure they fit properly and have holes large enough for mouth and eyes.
  • Choose costumes that are marked flame retardant.
  • Wear light-colored clothing at night, short enough to prevent tripping. Add reflective tape or reflectors to dark colored costumes.
  • Make props such as daggers or swords out of cardboard, rather than metal or wood.

Trick or Treating Safety

  • Give and accept wrapped or packaged candy only.
  • Have children bring treats home for adult inspection before they are consumed.
  • Adults should accompany small and elementary school age children when they are trick- or-treating and send older children in groups.
  • Go out in daylight and carry a flashlight in case of delay.
  • Have children stay within their neighborhood; only visit homes you know.
  • Watch for traffic.
  • Keep costumed children away from pets. Pets may not recognize children and become frightened.