EVENTS
Halloweenapalooza is one of those "kitchen sink" events. We fill it up with lots of fun things so that there is something for everyone.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
(Subject to change)
FRIDAY THE 9TH (5-11 PM)
5:00-11:00 PM: FILM FESTIVAL (Produce Iowa Theatre)
Short horror films from all over the world will be screened over the two days. Blocks A, B, and C will play Friday night.
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5:00-11:00 PM: VENDORS & CELEBS (Lobby)
Different vendors selling all sorts of fun and Halloween-related goodies will be set up throughout the lobby. Celebs will be taking pictures and signing autographs.
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5:00-7:30 PM: BLOOD DRIVE (Zombie Lounge)
Blood... and brains. Give it.
5:00 PM: CRAFTING HOUR
Little and big kids will have the opportunity to do some fun paper craft projects to kick off Friday's events. From pumpkins to spider webs, all the materials will be included; all you need to do is bring your imagination!! (Ages 5-12)
*In the Meet Ottumwa Event Room
6:00 PM: AUTHORS: THE PRODUCTION
Last year, we pulled back the curtain on the creative process. This year, Bret Royer is taking the conversation to the next stage with THE PRODUCTION — a brand-new panel discussion at Halloweenapalooza 2026! Join Bret and the panel as they dig into what it actually takes to move a project from an idea on the page to something happening in front of the camera.
*In the Meet Ottumwa Event Room
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7:00 PM: LIVE PODCAST - CRACKTASTIC PLASTIC
Cracktastic Plastic is bringing the toy talk to Halloweenapalooza with a LIVE podcast recording! Join Jason, Elgn, and Mike as they dive into the wild world of action figure collecting, from vintage favorites to the newest toys hitting shelves. With collections spanning Transformers, Masters of the Universe, G.I. Joe, M.A.S.K., Batman, Star Wars, and plenty more, the crew mixes nostalgia, collector stories, laughs, and plenty of plastic-powered opinions. Whether you’re a lifelong collector or just love geeking out over cool toys, come hang out with the Cracktastic Plastic crew and be part of the show!
*In the Meet Ottumwa Event Room
8:00 PM: SPOOKY SPLATTER SHOWDOWN
Assemble a team of four or find new friends to join your team for a thrilling paint relay! Each team will have 5 minutes to strategize their painting masterpiece before each member takes a 10-minute turn to create their part of the artwork. The catch? Each painter will work individually, unable to see what the others are creating until the final reveal. All supplies will be provided. Watch the teams' creative process unfold and witness the unique and surprising results.
*Sponsored by the Ottumwa Area Arts Council.
*In the Meet Ottumwa Event Room
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9-10:30 PM: TRIVIA W/INSANE MIKE
Test your trivia knowledge with Insane Mike. He'll be leading trivia games and contests for about 90 minutes. There will be prizes and fun things.
*In the Meet Ottumwa Event Room
11:00 PM: AFTER PARTY
Keep the fun going after Halloweenapalooza with the Friday night After Party at Old School Pizza & Pub! Starting at 11 PM, enjoy free arcade games, pinball for just $.50–$1, 16 taps of ice-cold beer, RTDs, and a menu of fun foods.
*305 E Main St
SATURDAY THE 10TH (Noon-Midnight)
Noon-8:00 PM: FILM FESTIVAL (Produce Iowa Theatre)
Short horror films from all over the world will be screened over the two days. Blocks D, E, F, and G will play throughout Saturday.
Noon-8:00 PM: VENDORS & CELEBS (Lobby)
Different vendors selling all sorts of fun and Halloween-related goodies will be set up throughout the lobby. Celebs will be taking pictures and signing autographs.
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Noon-8:00 PM: DEADLY DEER CAMP ESCAPE ROOM
(Zombie Lounge)
Experience thrilling adventure at the Deadly Deer Camp Escape Room, where your wits will be tested as you uncover chilling secrets in the heart of Halloweenapalooza. Team up with friends to solve puzzles and escape a spooky camp setting that's perfect for adrenaline seekers and Halloween enthusiasts alike. Join us for a night of unforgettable fun and immersive storytelling that captures the spirit of the season! SIGN UP HERE!
*Each session is 25 minutes with 5 minutes to reset for the next group
**Maximum of 10 people per session
***This is an additional ticket to your admission ticket
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12:00 Noon: CRAFTING HOUR
Little and big kids will have the opportunity to do some fun paper craft projects to kick off Saturday morning. From pumpkins to spider webs, all the materials will be included; all you need to do is bring your imagination!! (Ages 5-12)
*In the Meet Ottumwa Event Room​
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1:00 PM: MAGIC SHOW - WILLIAM THE CONJURER
William the Conjurer is a professional magician who has been wowing audiences since he was a little kid. William has styled his show to be more like that of the classic greats of magic. Though not old-fashioned, William's show evokes the bygone era of the "Gentleman Magician", where the job of the magician was to entertain and astound, not to shock and embarrass his audience.
*In the Meet Ottumwa Event Room
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2:00 PM: A ROTTEN FESTERING MAKEUP FX DEMO w/NERO OF BAT BRAIN STUDIOS
Get ready to get gross! Join Nero of Bat Brain Studios for A Rotten Festering Makeup FX Demo, a live look at the nasty art of practical horror effects. Watch as Nero transforms ordinary flesh into something gruesome, gory, and gloriously rotten while sharing tricks of the trade along the way.
*In the Meet Ottumwa Event Room
3:00 PM: THE EVOLUTION OF ZOMBIE MAKEUP
From pale faces and simple scars to gruesome prosthetics and full-on undead transformations, zombie makeup has come a long way. Join Justin Beahm for The Evolution of Zombie Makeup, a fascinating look at how the walking dead have changed on screen over the decades and how makeup artists helped shape some of horror’s most iconic zombies.
*In the Meet Ottumwa Event Room
4:00 PM: Q&A w/JEREMY PALKO & GINO CROGDALE
Step into the world of The Walking Dead with Jeremy Palko and Gino Crognale for a special live Q&A! Hear behind-the-scenes stories, memories from the set, and what it was like helping bring the zombie apocalypse to life. Bring your questions and get ready for an inside look at one of television’s most iconic horror series.
*In the Meet Ottumwa Event Room
5:00 PM: Q&A w/MIGUEL A. NÚÑEZ JR.
Spend some time with Miguel A. Núñez Jr. for a live Q&A covering his unforgettable roles in two beloved horror classics, The Return of the Living Dead and Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning. Hear stories from the set, memories from his career, and what it was like becoming part of two legendary horror franchises. Bring your questions and join the conversation!
*In the Meet Ottumwa Event Room
6:00 PM: Q&A w/KEN FOREE
Join horror icon Ken Foree for a live Q&A spanning a legendary career in the genre! From Dawn of the Dead and Leatherface to Halloween and The Devil’s Rejects, Ken has been part of some unforgettable moments in horror history. Hear behind-the-scenes stories, career memories, and answers to your questions from one of the genre’s most recognizable stars.
*In the Meet Ottumwa Event Room
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6:00 PM: ZOMBIE WALK
Meet outside at the main entrance in your best living dead costume (or any costume really) and prepare to walk the streets of Ottumwa!!
*This is a free event, costume awards given out after
**At 5:00 PM, FX Artist will be applying zombie makeup outside BVC for free
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7:00 PM: BRINGING BACK OLD TIME RADIO HORROR
Turn down the lights and tune in to a nearly lost form of storytelling! Join David Detlefs of Vagrant Fear for Bringing Back Old Time Radio Horror, a behind-the-scenes look at creating thrilling audio dramas in the tradition of classic radio. David will explore everything from selecting and adapting stories to casting, acting for audio, sound effects, and post-production—plus how radio-style horror differs from performing on stage or screen. He’ll also share how Vagrant Fear is bringing this unique art form back to life in the community before opening the floor for your questions.
*In the Meet Ottumwa Event Room​​
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8:00 PM: COSTUME CONTEST
(Produce Iowa Theatre)
Sign up at the front desk to enter the costume contest. Show your stuff! There will be prizes for Best Adult, Best Teen, Best Child, Best Couple/Group, Best in Show!
*Line up at 7:30
**The Costume Contest is sponsored by Ottumwa Radio.
8:45 PM: AWARDS SHOW
(Produce Iowa Theatre)
See who wins Best Short and Runner-up, Audience Choice, Best Kill, Halloween Spirit, and the Andy Wassom One-Liner. Trophies will be given out!
9:15 PM: SAM REZZ PERFORMANCE
(Produce Iowa Theatre)
Known for her captivating blend of sideshow and ground circus acts—including stilt walking, juggling, hula hooping, and more—Sam will take the stage for a thrilling performance.
10:00 PM: ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW
(Produce Iowa Theatre)
The event concludes with everybody's favorite audience participation movie Rocky Horror Picture Show. Bring your own props or we'll also have survival kits available for purchase at the main table. You don't want to miss this!!
*No glitter or confetti
VENUE
Doors will open 30 minutes early. So 4:30pm Friday and 11:30am Saturday.
With every paid entry you'll get a wristband or stamp that will allow you to come and go to all the events all day and night.
PHOTOS
We love capturing memories too, but please be respectful and ask permission before taking photos of guests, vendors, or costumes.
FOOD & DRINKS
There will be food and drinks and adult beverages available for purchase too. So please don’t bring in outside food and drinks.
VENDORS
Bring lots of cash! But there is also an ATM on site when you run out!