Sandusky Becomes the Halloween Capital of Ohio™

SANDUSKY, OH – Sandusky is known as a summer destination, but locals will tell you fall may be the best season to visit or live here. This year, downtown Sandusky is making that case in a big way as the Halloween Capital of Ohio™.

The Greater Sandusky Partnership, in collaboration with the City of Sandusky, has transformed downtown with fall and Halloween installations that visitors can explore now through October 31. The downtown makeover comes complete with more than 175 light poles wrapped in corn stalks, the Boy with the Boot – Sandusky’s well-known mascot – transforming into a scarecrow, and photo-ops and decorated storefronts on every block.

“Sandusky is best known for the experiences it offers during the summer, but we also embrace the fall and Halloween season. We hope these decorations give people another reason to visit downtown, support our local businesses, and experience everything Sandusky has to offer this fall,” said Tom Horsman, Communications Manager, City of Sandusky.

The transformation adds to a fall season that already draws visitors to the region. Warm days and crisp nights, local orchards and wineries, a quick ferry ride to Lake Erie Islands, and Cedar Point’s HalloWeekends and Sandusky Witches Walk® all bring autumnal magic to the lakeshore.

“Ghostly Manor Thrill Center, Sandusky Witches Walk®, Cedar Point and many others have been building Sandusky’s Halloween reputation for years, and we’re proudly building on their work to become the Halloween Capital of Ohio™. Add weather where a sweatshirt, jeans, and flip flops is nearly everyone’s ideal outfit, and October is a hard month to beat,” added McKenzie Spriggs, Sr. Director of Destination Management, Greater Sandusky Partnership.

The project was made possible by local businesses and city staff:

• The Pumpkin Lady created the pumpkin and art installation photo ops and covered the downtown light poles with corn stalks.
• Great Lakes Audio Visual projected lights, characters, and the new Halloween Capital of Ohio logo onto the side wall of the Sandusky State Theatre.
• City of Sandusky Greenhouse staff transformed the Boy with the Boot and the Frohman clock and added seasonal decor to Washington Park
• And the transformation was supported and sponsored by Sandusky Witches Walk® and The Emporium on West Market Street.

“The Sandusky Witches Walk® started with nine women and a lot of heart. Fifteen years later, it’s a festival with a mission: every ticket helps local kids, seniors, and families. Seeing downtown transformed shows what this community can do together. Sandusky, Halloween Capital of Ohio™, is a great place to call home, and we invite everyone to come celebrate and give back,” stated Mimi Chicotel, Executive Director, Sandusky Witches Walk®.

Visitors are invited to take photos and tag them #HalloweenCapitalOfOhio. For more information on visiting this fall, go to shoresandislands.com.

About Greater Sandusky Partnership
Greater Sandusky Partnership is a regional chamber and economic development organization dedicated to advancing economic prosperity and quality of life across the Greater Sandusky Region. Through collaboration with businesses, community leaders, and public and private partners, GSP works to support business growth, attract investment, strengthen the workforce, and advance initiatives that make the region a great place to live, work, visit, and invest. Learn more at www.greatersandusky.com.

Press release submitted by: 
Alissa Fisher, Director of Marketing & Communications
Greater Sandusky Partnership 

Photos by New Departure Films