Detroit returns Halloween to the city’s children with launch of “Halloween in the D” activities

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City and community volunteers gather for the city's first and all new 'Halloween in the D' press conference at Rouge Park Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. (Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us Detroit)

Detroit returns Halloween to the city’s children with launch of “Halloween in the D” activities

• Family-friendly activities to be offered at locations across the city Halloween night
• Rouge, Chandler and Clark parks will transformed into Haunted Parks; DDOT to revive its popular Haunted Bus
• City seeks candy donations to support trunk-or-treating at police precincts

DETROIT - Starting this year Halloween in Detroit will be a night for families and children again. The Mayor’s Office, led by the Department of Neighborhoods, today announced plans for Detroit’s first “Halloween in the D,” a citywide series of special events, haunted houses and trunk-or-treat locations at parks, recreation centers, police stations and fire houses.

Most of the events will take place on Halloween night, but others, such as parties and events at city recreation centers will take place in the days leading up to Halloween. The City first rolled out with several of these activities last year on Halloween on a more limited basis. However, community response was so strong, officials say, they decided to expand on it and make it an annual city initiative.

“We made a promise to Detroit’s children that from now on, Halloween is going to be for them,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “Halloween in the D will be the start of a very special new tradition in our city, something all Detroiters will be proud to say is especially their own.”

Events planned across the city on Halloween Night include:
• Three haunted parks at: Rouge, Chandler and Clark Parks
• A harvest fest on Woodward Avenue at Spirit Plaza
• Trunk-or-Treat events at all 12 Detroit Police precincts and other activities
• Detroit Fire Department distributing candy at fire stations
• Haunted DDOT Bus
• Halloween parties and events at Detroit recreation centers
• Three Halloween-themed houses, sponsored by the Detroit Land Bank Authority
• Also, seven community meals, one in each district, to celebrate and recruit volunteers for year-round neighborhood radio patrols October 30

“No other city in our area is going to have as much fun on Halloween as we’re going to have in Detroit,” said Group Executive for Neighborhoods, Jimmy Settles. “It is days like this that really bring a community together and the Department of Neighborhoods is thrilled to help make it happen.”

Residents’ Assistance Still Needed
While the City is taking care of most of the planning and logistics, there are still some things residents can do to support the new Halloween in the D celebration, including:
• Donate candy or volunteer to decorate your car for Trunk-or-Treat activities at police precincts
• Join or start a local neighborhood radio patrol
How to get Involved
For more information on activities or to volunteer, visit www.halloweeninthed.org or call (313) 224-4415.

Corporate Sponsors Support New Halloween Effort
Mayor Duggan thanked this year’s sponsors, who have provided $20,500 in cash and in-kind donations so far. Ford Motor Company Fund is the lead sponsor for Halloween in the D. In addition to the Ford Fund’s $5000 donation, 150 Ford employee volunteers will work at the Haunted Park at Clark Park and sort candy the week before the event. Ford Fund also is hosting a candy donation drive at 15 Ford buildings throughout Dearborn and one supplier’s location with the goal of collecting 20,000 pieces of candy.

“Halloween is an exciting time for families and children, and Halloween in the D gives everyone in the city an opportunity to come together and celebrate,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford. “Ford is proud to be a part of this event and to have our Ford Volunteer Corps support Halloween in the D.”

Other major sponsors include: Adamo, Comcast, DTE Energy, Detroit Renewable Energy, Homrich, J. Fons Company, KEO and Associates, Little Caesars Enterprises, Miller Canfield, Operating Engineers Local 324 and SER Metro Detroit.

Companies and organizations that want to sign up as Halloween in the D sponsors should send an email to kovariv@detroitmi.gov or harriser@detroitmi.gov or call (313) 224-9008.

HALLOWEEN IN THE D EVENT DETAILS

HAUNTED PARKS – Open from 5-8 PM, October 31
• Rouge Park at the Brennan pool house will be transformed into a haunted locker room, 21415 Plymouth Road.
• Chandler Park – The zombies take over as the park becomes Zombie Ruins.
• Clark Park becomes the Creepy Carnival complete with haunted house theme, clowns, scary music, etc.

HARVEST FEST – Open from 5-8 PM, October 31
• A Harvest Fest is set for Spirit Plaza on Woodward Avenue with games, music and food.

CANDY, CANDY AND MORE CANDY! – October 31
• Trunk-or-Treat events at all 12 Detroit Police precincts and other activities Oct. 31
• Detroit Fire Department will distribute candy at a number of fire stations Oct. 31

DDOT TAKES ITS SCARY TRICKS ON THE ROAD – October 31
• A haunted DDOT Bus will be stationed at the Detroit Police 10th Precinct, 12000 Livernois, joined by the roving Ghost Busters.

POLICE DEPARTMENT HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES - various dates
• In addition to trunk-or-treating, the Detroit Police Department has other activities including a Halloween party and haunted hay ride at the 12th Precinct, 1200 W. Seven Mile Road, Oct. 31; and Nevada House of Horrors at the 11th Precinct, 5200 Nevada, from Oct. 26 - 31. Go to halloweeninthed.org for details.

RECREATION CENTERS TO HOST ACTIVITIES – various dates
• The Parks & Recreation Department is planning a variety of activities for children, teens and seniors at eight recreation centers from Oct. 24 - 31. Activities include Pumpkin Plunge, Crazy Hat Bingo, costume party, carnival and a trip to Cedar Point for Halloweekend. Go to halloweeninthed.org for details.

DETROIT LAND BANK OFFERS 3 HAUNTED HOUSES – October 31 – 5-8 PM
The Detroit Land Bank Authority gets in on the action by decorating three homes with a Halloween theme for a kid-friendly experience. Refreshments and candy provided. The addresses are:
• 14259 Archdale (District 1)
• 18424 Hartwell (District 2)
• 5282 Bishop (District 4)

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