Eleven years ago, the downtown merchants in the city of Woodstock decided to host a trick-or-treating event in the City Park. Their goal was to provide a safe and secure Halloween alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating. What started out as a quaint and casual evening has blossomed into one of the Woodstock’s most favorite parties of the year … KidsFest!
Halloween night now welcomes several thousands of our younger ghouls and goblins for an evening of fun, music, games, food, inflatables, magic, juggling, costumes and candy! Adults now join the party by dressing up as their favorite characters, and they have as much fun as the kids! Momentum Church is on-hand to provide free face painting for those who want to join in on the spirit of the event. They also make free balloon animals!
A highlight of the evening is the costume contest. Each contestant receives a number as they march across the stage to show off the latest costume trends such as Harry Potter, Pokémon, WWE wrestlers, Frozen as well as traditional costumes like witches, vampires, princesses and ghosts! Old and young compete for trophies representing the funniest, scariest, cutest and overall best costume of the year. Either as a participant or an observer, this is THE place to people watch and enjoy the start of the autumn season.
Of course, what is a holiday without traditions? Over the years, kids have come to love the fun of the Stringed Apple Game and, our Mayor’s favorite, the Pumpkin Bowling Game. Some prefer the loud bang as they play the Balloon-Blaster Race, while others like to watch the skills of Tim the Magician and Adam the Juggler. DJ Ronnie spins the tunes of our favorite Halloween-themed songs that will have you singing right along!
We are happy to host this event in the new Amphitheater at City Center on the lower level of The Park at City Center — the site of the old City Hall complex, police station and Woodstock’s first hospital named Cherokee Atomedic. We know visitors will enjoy this new addition to the city for years to come. Stop by for our public preview event on October 25th, from 6:30-8:30 pm.
KidsFest is always on the day of Halloween, October 31st, unless it falls on a Sunday, in which case, the event will be held on Saturday, October 30th. The event runs from 3:00-7:00 pm. Come out for a howling good time!
to your business!