From samples and stories to music and food, there will be plenty on tap downtown Friday night during the second Seymour Main Street Ghouls and Goblets.
Participants may walk to various businesses to sample local and regional beer and wine. Ghoulish tales will be offered every hour beginning at 6:30 p.m. at some of the businesses.
The event is slated from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and will feature 10 breweries and wineries, spooky stories, live music and food trucks.
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Participants can show up beginning at 5:30 p.m. on the first floor of the former PNC Bank building on the southwest corner of Chestnut and Second streets, where they can pay for admission and receive a Seymour Main Street tasting goblet and the bracelet.
A bracelet is required to participate in the event, and maps will be given to show all locations and wineries.
Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Advance tickets may be purchased at Seymour City Hall or online at seymourmainstreet.org.
Pints of beer also will be available for purchase at some locations but must be consumed before leaving the store.
The 10 breweries and wineries that will be served at the local businesses is double the number that participated a year ago.
Joining first-year participants Chateau de Pique Winery, 450 North, Butler Winery and Salt Creek Brewery are Ertel Winery, Upland Brewery, Bare Hands Brewery, Hunter’s Ridge Winery and Mallow Run Winery. Carson’s Brewery has backed out of the event for the moment, but organizers are looking at options.
Becky Schepman, executive director of Seymour Main Street, said she invited more breweries and wineries this year in an effort to make lines for sampling a little shorter.
“I knew we might have a bigger crowd this year since it was a little more established, and I want to make sure we didn’t have a lot of long lines,” she said. “My goal was to double to make sure we could spread everyone out.”
New this year is music at One Chamber Square, where Hickory Rose will play from 6 to 9 p.m. That location also will offer beer from Salt Creek Brewery and food by Nacho Mama’s and TJ’s Barbecue.
Schepman said those who attended the event in 2017 will notice a larger coverage area, as it uses areas downtown that are north and south of Tipton Street.
“Last year, it was more central, and this year, we have a winery in the Vehslage Building and then another at Dr. Nate Otte’s office,” she said, adding the layout accomplishes the organization’s mission better of serving the downtown district.
Stories will be told by John Rothring at the Vehslage Building; Dr. Nate Otte, Dr. Nate Optometrist; Tricia Bechman, Greater Seymour Chamber of Commerce; and Paul Sullivan, Greemann’s Furniture.
Schepman would not share what the stories will detail but said some will include tales about the buildings themselves.
“Some are relating them to what has happened in the downtown, so they will be a local side to the stories,” she said. “They’re more truish to the buildings.”
Rails Craft Brew & Eatery and Reno’s Cigar & Martini Lounge will be open after the event and will have Ghouls and Goblets glasses, Schepman said.
“We’re hoping people stay downtown after the event, too,” she said.
While the event is for attendees to enjoy, it also aims to educate people about what downtown Seymour has to offer.
“When they’re at this event, they may see a parking lot by This Old Guitar, one behind the library or another tucked somewhere else,” she said. “I think with this event, people will realize how easy it is to navigate downtown.”
Or participants may find something they would like to purchase while visiting one of the businesses.
“They may go to 450 North and see something they like at Tiemeier’s Jewelry,” she said. “Or maybe this store has plus sizes or something along those lines or I could get my phone fixed downtown.”
The idea is for next time they need something, they will think about downtown Seymour first, she said.
“We are happy to get involved with any activity that gets people to visit local small businesses,” said Jackie Hare and Josh Leonard from Indiana Farm Bureau, who is sponsoring the event. “It’s a night of Halloween fun for adults, but it’s also a great opportunity to showcase local shops and hopefully help attract new customers to the hosting locations.”
The event is conducted in conjunction with the organization’s Scarecrow Stroll, which challenges downtown stores to decorate their own scarecrows and display them outside their businesses.
Schepman said 26 businesses are participating, and the public is invited to vote for their favorite by casting a ballot inside a participating business.
The event celebrates Downtown Business Development Week, which is this week, and the scarecrows will be on display until Oct. 31. A winner will be announced and will have their name put on the traveling plaque and be treated to lunch.
The Scarecrow Stroll also has drawn the attention of Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, who will see the scarecrows Friday as part of a contest Seymour Main Street entered and won.
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What: Seymour Main Street Ghouls and Goblets
When: 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday
Where: Various locations downtown Seymour
Cost: Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door; advance tickets may be purchased at Seymour City Hall or online at seymourmainstreet.org; pints of beer also will be available for purchase at some locations but must be consumed before leaving the store
Location;Brewery/winery
Stacy’s Stitching (Vehslage Building);Ertel Winery*
Urban Farmhouse;Chateau de Pique Winery
Lea Boutique;Brewery/winery to be announced
TekHead;Upland Brewery
Tiemeier’s Jewelry;450 North
Dragonfly Boutique;Bare Hands Brewery
Greemann’s Furniture;Butler Winery*
Chillicen;Hunter’s Ridge Winery
Dr. Nate Optometrist;Mallow Run Winery*
One Chamber Square;Salt Creek Brewery, food and live music
Greater Seymour Chamber of Commerce*
*indicates story location
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