Eugene's Halloween Downtown is slated for a return this October, and the call for eerie inspirations is open to local artists. With an impressive attendance boost last year, scaling from 5,000 in 2023 to over 11,000 visitors, the City's Cultural Services division is banking on that growth, encouraging the creative community to up the ante for this year's event. According to a report by the City of Eugene, the celebration expanded significantly last year and needs fresh horror to fill more than a dozen downtown blocks.
David Dickinson, Senior Downtown Events and Permit Coordinator, and Kerry Weeks, Production Coordinator, are spearheading the initiative for more engagement and interactivity at this year's Halloween fest. "Eugene is a goldmine of creative talent, and we're hoping to provide an opportunity for that talent to coalesce around," Dickinson told the City of Eugene.
Submissions for these installations are due by Aug. 25. Artists and dreamers of all ghastly trades – performers, visual artists, musicians, and more – are called to submit ideas that promise to terrify and entertain. Weeks said that there are no boundaries to what may be considered, looking forward to unique and original ideas. He added, "I find that the best submissions come when people are drawing from their own experience, and they have that deep connection of what they want to share," in a statement obtained by the City of Eugene.
For those needing assistance or looking to network, Cultural Services will host a session on July 31 at 5:30 p.m. at Whirled Pies, where staff will help with applications and facilitate idea-sharing among creatives. Voting on the installations will occur on Oct. 25, with the winners not only receiving a Candy Corn Crown and Scepter but also the opportunity to lead next year's Halloween Downtown Pet Parade.
In reflecting on the event's potential, Weeks envisions Halloween Downtown as a platform celebrating local talent. “I see Halloween Downtown becoming a platform for artists to be as creative as possible to create a container that is safe and welcoming and creepy and fun,” she expressed, according to the City of Eugene.
