KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Just in time for the Halloween season, the second annual SkeleTour will be starting in Downtown Kalamazoo this week.
The Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership announced Wednesday that this year, the event is sponsored by Metro Toyota, and will feature 52 one-of-a-kind life-size skeletons that reflect local businesses and organizations.
Spanning along Michigan Avenue, the Kalamazoo Mall, Rose Street and Portage Street, skeletons will be displayed for people to snap a “skelfie” with, and a special display will be on the North Kalamazoo Mall near the Radisson Plaza Hotel. Other features, such as cornstalks on light poles, will also be on display.
The installation will be complemented by a series of socially distant events and activities for a range of different audiences.
“This year, SkeleTour is an at-your-own-pace, month-long, downtown experience for all ages,” Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership Events Director Sue Huggett said in a statement. “This year will feature lots of activities that allow the community to enjoy the festive fall season downtown while being safe.”
The first day of SkeleTour 2020 in Downtown Kalamazoo will feature a performance by the Skeletones. (Photo provided by the Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership, Photographed by Fran Dwight).
A list of scheduled activities can be viewed below:
October 2 – The kick-off day will feature a performance by The Skeletones on the Kalamazoo Mall from 5 – 8 p.m.
October 3 – West Michigan Beer Tours will host “A Walking Tour of Downtown Kalamazoo Breweries,” which will feature stops at three featured breweries. Learn more here.
October 6 – Activities for kids will include Scary Hair appointments, which allow kids to get the scariest, silliest hairstyles imaginable. These Scary Hair appointments will be free of charge at Blush Salon and Spa.
October 7 – On Wednesday, October 7, Bates Alley will host a performance by the Western Michigan University Jazz Band, Grayson Nye Quartet. Music begins at 5:30 p.m.
October 10 – West Michigan Beer Tours will host a second “Walking Tour of Downtown Kalamazoo Breweries.” Learn more here.
October 14 – On Wednesday, October 14, Bates Alley will host local high schoolers performing tangos, movie music and Celtic tunes. Music begins at 5:30 p.m.
October 17 – West Michigan Beer Tours will host a third “Walking Tour of Downtown Kalamazoo Breweries.”
- Additionally, in lieu of the Trolley of Terror, which will not be running this year due to COVID-19 concerns, the City of Kalamazoo Parks and Recreation Department is presenting a Family Movie night at 3 p.m. October 17 at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place. The featured film is Hotel Transylvania, and will be shown outdoors at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place. Register here.
- A Pumpkin Carving Demonstration will also take place from 2 – 5 p.m., featuring artist John Angevine.
October 19 – Residents can sign up for the SkeleTour Bar Crawl Passport, sponsored by Discover Kalamazoo, and be entered to win Downtown Dollars. Participants can use a new digital passport and partake in skeleton-themed drink specials from 17 downtown restaurants and bars. With the Central Commons Refreshment Area launched in downtown Kalamazoo, citizens can buy a drink and walk through downtown checking out skeletons. Bar Crawl Passport launches on October 19.
October 24 – West Michigan Beer Tours will host a “Halloween Beer Tour.” Costumes are encouraged and prizes will be awarded to the favorites. Learn more here.
Further information about the Skeletour can be found at this link.
