Findlay Market is offering several ways to enjoy spooky season, including a costume and candy drive, dog costume contest, food tours and the chance to trick-or-treat at the historic Over-the-Rhine market on Halloween.
Costume & Candy Drive
From now until Thursday, Oct. 23, Findlay Market is collecting new and gently used costumes and sealed bags of candy that will be distributed for free to area children and families for Halloween. Last year, the community donated 750 costumes — all of which were claimed in just 45 minutes at the pickup event — as well as 12,000 pieces of candy. The market hopes to collect even more this year.
To help support the drive, Findlay Market says you can drop off any gently used or new costumes at its Market Center, organize an office drive, donate funds to help purchase costumes and candy or donate an item from its Amazon Wishlist. You can also email kshouse@findlaymarket.org to coordinate a donation pickup.
The Costume Pickup event will happen on Sunday, Oct. 26, starting at 11 a.m. All are welcome to pick out a free costume, and there will be costumes of all sizes, from infant to adult, while supplies last. Makers Bakers Co. and ETC Produce & Provisions will also team up to host their annual “Nightmare on Elder Street” haunted tent on the north side of the market.
You can learn more about the Costume & Candy Drive here.
Halloween Bites & Delights Tasting Tour
On Saturday, Oct. 25, Findlay Market will host a special Halloween-themed tasting tour from 2-3:30 p.m. The tour will stop at six Findlay Market businesses for dishes and drinks, including:
- Bouchard’s Pasta: Lasagna
- Dojo Gelato: Choice of gelato
- Gibbs Cheese: Fudge
- Makers Bakers Co.: Jalapeño focaccia BLT
- Maverick Chocolate Co.: Mini chocolate bar
- Wendigo Tea Co.: Choice of tea
There are only 12 spots available for this tour, and tickets are about $45, with fees. You can purchase yours here.
Trick-or-Treat
Findlay Market’s merchants will dress up and pass out candy to kids in costume on Halloween from 4-6 p.m. All families, school groups and neighbors are welcome to join and there will also be free, family-friendly activities from local community organizations.
Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest
Your pup can get in on the Halloween fun at Findlay Market on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 4:30-6 p.m. with the Howl-O-Ween costume contest at Jane’s and Elm & Elder. Three judges will score each dog’s costume based on cleverness, creativity, the ability to keep the costume on as
Intended (best of luck, dog parents) and an overall “cuteness factor” (10-out-of-10s all around).
First place will receive a year’s worth of free food from Pet Wants, and second and third places will receive $30 and $20 gift cards to Pet Wants, respectively. ‘Howl’ever, all participants are really winners and will be awarded with a treat.
The contest only has 30 spaces. You can sign your dog up here.
Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine. More info: findlaymarket.org.
