Historic Midway Village attracts 5,000 to annual Halloween event

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Thousands of trick-or-treaters flocked to the historic village at Midway Village on the last Saturday before Halloween, enjoying a day filled with festive activities.

The annual All Hallow’s Eve event at Midway Village attracts about 5,000 attendees each year, marking its 37th celebration this year. Community sponsors transform the village with decorations, offering a variety of activities such as crafts, wagon rides, games, and food.

“This village is tucked away here in the woods,” said Luke Fredrickson, Marketing Director at Midway Village Museum. “We’re right in the middle of town basically but a lot of people just drive by on Guilford and Perryville and forget that this is back here, so this is a good chance for people to learn and remind themselves the village is here and we do a lot of stuff here year round.”

The event serves as a reminder of the various offerings at Midway Village throughout the year. It has become a significant tradition in Rockford, bringing the community together to celebrate the Halloween season.

The next event planned at the village is the Peaches Playdate, scheduled for next spring, continuing the tradition of engaging community events at the venue.

With its rich history and community involvement, Midway Village continues to be a focal point for local celebrations, drawing thousands each year to enjoy its unique charm and festive spirit.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WTVO. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WTVO staff before being published.