Valparaiso, IN – Gabis Arboretum at Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is celebrating the Halloween spirit with its second annual Hallo-Weekend on Oct. 6 and 7. The festivities include two nights of outdoor movies; one for adults with an add-on ghost hunting tour and one night for families with trick or treating.
Gates open at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 for a film screening of “The Conjuring.” The screening starts at dusk, which will be approximately 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults. Visitors must be 18 years or older.
Northwest Indiana Paranormal and the PNW Paranormal Club will lead a 45-minute guided ghost hunt through the arboretum woods with equipment to collect potential evidence of the paranormal. Guests can add on the activity for $10 in addition to the movie ticket. The ghost hunt tour will start around 9 p.m. after the film’s conclusion.
Gates open at 6 p.m. again Oct. 7 for a screening of “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” with screening beginning at dusk (approximately 7 p.m.). Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Kids ages 3 and under are admitted free, but will need a ticket. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in costumes and bring bags for trick or treating at the arboretum before the film.
PNW alumni are eligible for a discounted $5 admission fee for each film screening. Alumni interested in attending can contact PNW’s Alumni office at alumni@pnw.edu for a redemption code to use with ticket purchases.
All film screenings take place at Gabis Arboretum at PNW, 450 W 100 N, Valparaiso, IN.
“It’s Halloween — everyone is entitled to a fun night with an outdoor movie and a hauntingly good time full of paranormal ghosts for the adults,” said Stephanie Blackstock, executive director of Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest. “The arboretum casts the perfect backdrop to get all the spooks and Halloween treats to fill your bag of tricks. Come see how the arboretum transforms after dark and have a Boo-tiful experience.”
Snacks, beer and wine will be available for purchase with cash only from local vendors on both nights. No outside food or beverages are permitted. No dogs, except service animals, are permitted. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs for the outdoor film screenings.
For more information, visit pnw.edu/hallo-weekend and the arboretum’s Facebook page.