Skelebration offers family fun

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Halloween fun and giant skeletons will again greet eventgoers at the Downtown Skelebration in St. Clair Shores this year.

Amy O’Brien-Kravitz, sales manager at Roy O’Brien Ford, said the Skelebration is a family-friendly Halloween celebration. Activities for kids start at noon and run until 3 p.m. on Oct. 26.

The downtown is located along Greater Mack Avenue from Nine Mile Road south to the Nine Mack Drive and Cavalier Drive intersection.

“They shut the street down at noon and it stays closed until 10 p.m. because the Skelebration is followed by (the) social district,” O’Brien-Kravitz said.

O’Brien-Kravitz said the celebration is all about the kids until 3 p.m. The event has a pumpkin patch, trick or treating, a DJ, magic shows and more. Downtown businesses will also feature holiday specials and seasonal festivities. Around 2:30 p.m., there will be a costume parade traveling through downtown and ending at the pumpkin patch. The pumpkin patch itself is for children 12 and younger who can receive a free pumpkin while supplies last.

Ashley Budnik, owner of Strong Roots Family Chiropractic and a member of the 9-Mack Merchants Association, said the businesses on Greater Mack will hand out candy and the businesses that are on the Nine Mack side will have a trunk or treat activity.

“It’s just a really fun little day for the kiddos and families,” Budnik said.

Budnik said there will be a dog costume contest and performances from two local dance groups.

“They usually perform every year,” Budnik said. “Try and get the audience involved and just have a fun time.”

She added the dancers will lead the kids down to the pumpkin patch to pick out their pumpkins.

“It’s always great to see all the kids dressed up and having a good time,” Budnik said. “And even the parents. I think that it’s just a good time and it’s a safe way to go trick or treating without having to be worrying about cars and all the things that come on a normal Halloween night.”

Budnik said no alcohol consumption is allowed during the Skelebration hours.

O’Brien-Kravitz said the event is free and that the most important aspect to remember is the timing. The social district after the Skelebration runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“Folks can either stay the whole day or they can come back in the evening,” O’Brien-Kravitz said.

The district will feature food trucks, live entertainment and more.

O’Brien-Kravitz said the attendance has grown every year since they started it, and a lot of people have fun. She said it gets better and better every year and that it’s her favorite event.

“Who doesn’t love a fun fall event, and it’s all free,” O’Brien-Kravitz said.