Spooky Fun Awaits as Little Chicago Big Scare and Scare on the Square Take Over Downtown Kenton on Halloween

KENTON, OHIO — This Halloween, historic downtown Kenton will come alive with a unique combination of history, mystery, theatrical entertainment and community celebration as Little Chicago Big Scare and Scare on the Square: Monster Mash take over downtown on Saturday, October 31, 2026.

Presented through a collaboration between Revitalize Kenton, the Hardin County Historical Museum, and Scary on Cherry, the evening will showcase the creativity, history and community spirit that make Kenton a distinctive destination in northwest Ohio.

LITTLE CHICAGO BIG SCARE: WHERE HISTORY MEETS HORROR

6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | $15 Admission | Recommended for Ages 10+

Little Chicago Big Scare invites participants to step back in time and experience the darker, more mysterious side of Kenton’s history through an immersive, five-checkpoint Halloween adventure.

Rather than a traditional haunted house, this experience uses historic buildings, downtown streets, theatrical performances and interactive storytelling to transport guests into another era.

Participants will travel through downtown Kenton, encountering themed scenes, mysterious characters and unexpected surprises along the way.

One featured experience takes visitors inside a Prohibition-era speakeasy at 1 N. Detroit Street, where a lively poker game, musicians and flapper dancers recreate the sights and sounds of the Roaring Twenties.

The adventure also incorporates the Hardin County Historical Museum and the creativity behind Scary on Cherry, connecting local history with imaginative Halloween entertainment.

Each checkpoint contributes to an experience designed to entertain, surprise and introduce visitors to downtown Kenton in an entirely new way.

SCARE ON THE SQUARE: MONSTER MASH

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Downtown Kenton

Running alongside Little Chicago Big Scare, Scare on the Square: Monster Mash brings additional Halloween excitement to the heart of Kenton’s historic courthouse district.

The celebration provides another opportunity for residents and visitors to gather downtown, enjoy the Halloween atmosphere and participate in an evening dedicated to community fun.

Together, the two events create a Halloween destination with experiences for different interests and age groups.

THREE COMMUNITY PARTNERS, ONE SHARED VISION

The collaboration between Revitalize Kenton, the Hardin County Historical Museum and Scary on Cherry demonstrates how community organizations can combine their individual strengths to create memorable experiences.

Revitalize Kenton brings its commitment to downtown revitalization, business enhancement and community engagement.

The Hardin County Historical Museum contributes a connection to the people, places and stories that have shaped the community.

Scary on Cherry brings creative technology, immersive lighting and imaginative Halloween entertainment to the collaboration.

Together, these organizations are helping transform familiar downtown spaces into attractions that celebrate Kenton’s past while creating new reasons to visit its historic district.

BUILDING TOURISM THROUGH CREATIVE PLACEMAKING

While Halloween provides the occasion, the vision extends beyond a single evening.

Events like Little Chicago Big Scare demonstrate how historic buildings, local talent, creative technology and community partnerships can work together to attract visitors, encourage downtown exploration and support economic development.

By turning existing spaces into unique experiences, Kenton continues to demonstrate the possibilities of creative placemaking — using the character and assets of a community to create destinations that people want to experience.

The event also provides an opportunity to introduce visitors from surrounding communities to Kenton’s historic architecture, downtown businesses and growing calendar of community activities.

MAKE KENTON YOUR HALLOWEEN DESTINATION

Residents and visitors throughout Hardin County and the surrounding region are invited to experience Halloween in downtown Kenton on Saturday, October 31.

Event Information

Little Chicago Big Scare

* Saturday, October 31, 2026

* 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

* $15 admission

* Five immersive checkpoints

* Recommended for ages 10 and older

Scare on the Square: Monster Mash

* Saturday, October 31, 2026

* 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

* Historic Downtown Kenton

For additional event information, visit www.scarekenton.com.

ABOUT THE PRESENTING ORGANIZATIONS

Revitalize Kenton is a community-focused nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening downtown Kenton through revitalization, business enhancement, community partnerships and initiatives that encourage economic vitality.

Hardin County Historical Museum preserves and shares the history and heritage of Hardin County, connecting residents and visitors with the stories, artifacts and experiences that have shaped the region.

Scary on Cherry is a creative Halloween attraction associated with the Draper Family Light Show, using imaginative displays, lighting technology and immersive entertainment to bring unique seasonal experiences to the community.