City of Logan announces full month of free Halloween fun

The City of Logan decked out in Halloween decor during last year's celebrations.

Shana Nelson | WVOW News

LOGAN The City of Logan is gearing up to host free, community Halloween events throughout the month of October.

On October 4th at 6 p.m., the city is screening Ghostbusters at the downtown green space in front of the West Virginia State Office Building. Prior to the movie, attendees can enjoy popcorn, food trucks, inflatables, vendors, a replica of the movie’s classic Ecto-1 car on display, and a ghost hunt. 

Participants in the 2023 zombie run had a blast while being chased through the city.

The ghost hunt is for ages twelve and under. Participating children can win prizes by finding hidden ghosts throughout town. Sign ups start at 6 p.m. on Saturday. 

The following weekend, October 11th, the city is hosting a “slasher run” beginning at dark. This event will be similar to the zombie and clown runs in past years. Runners will wear flags while being followed Downtown Logan by chasers, also called “slashers,” dressed as characters from horror movies. The runners and slashers who keep or gather the most flags will win prizes.

Logan City Council member Brandon “BJ” Picklesimer, who leads Logan's Halloween events, explained the dynamics of the run during an episode of WVOW’s “What’s Your Opinion?”

“You’ll have four flags on. Every flag you lose is a minute off your time. If you lose all your flags, you are technically dead and can’t win. However, if nobody makes it back with flags, then the person that finishes first will win,” Picklesimer said.

Logan City Council member Brandon "BJ" Picklesimer chatted with WVOW's Aaron Stone about this season's Halloween events on "What's Your Opinion?"

Runners will win $1000 for first place, $500 for second, and $250 for third. "Slashers" will win $750 for first place and $250 for second. Any participants interested in running as "slashers" need to wear or bring their own costumes, as there will only be a limited amount available on-site. 

Directly after the run, the city will host a screening of Nightmare on Elm Street in the downtown green space. 

A group called the Cemetery Knights will also be making a visit to Downtown Logan next week. 

“That is a group that travels around with basically ‘tricked out’ hearses,” Picklesimer explained with a laugh. “They’re going to be here parked and showing them off.” 

The green space of Downtown Logan was turned into a pumpkin patch during 2023's pumpkin carving event.

Starting on October 18th, the City of Logan will kick off pumpkin carving for the Pumpkin House hosted by the GFWC Woman's Club of Logan in the lead up to its opening on the 25th. The downtown green space will be set up like a pumpkin patch for attendees to pick their own pumpkins. The event will also feature inflatables, vendors, and a screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas. 

Around 300 pumpkins were carved during last year’s event, and 3000 pumpkins in total were donated to the Pumpkin House by volunteers, schools, and other local groups. 

The GFWC Woman's Club of Logan lights up the streets with the Pumpkin House every year.

The City of Logan’s Hocus Pocus Festival also opens on October 25th. It will feature vendors, hay rides, inflatables, music, candy, and much more.

New to this year's festival will be carnival games donated by local schools. Each carnival game will cost $1 to play, and the school who earns the most money will win a $500 donation from the city.

Festive decor lined the streets of Downtown Logan during 2023's Hocus Pocus Festival.

On October 30th, the city will be hosting a Halloween Trivia Night downtown.

The city of Logan will end its events on October 31st with a downtown green space screening of the original Halloween movie at 11 p.m. following Logan County’s trick or treating from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

When talking about the City of Logan’s October calendar, council member Picklesimer emphasized that all ages will be able to have fun. He noted that the family element behind the Halloween season is especially important for him when it comes to putting these events together.

“It’s the nostalgia of it all, of being a kid and going out trick or treating and just all of those fun little spooky things,” Picklesimer said. “It’s helped that my children have embraced it and loved it as well, and they’re right there beside me with everything that we do and excited to do it.” 

For more information on all City of Logan Halloween events, contact Brandon Picklesimer.

PHOTOS | WVOW News, City of Logan