Beginning Oct. 25, Indianapolis City Market and Big Car Collaborative will host a weeklong series of placemaking programming and events at Indianapolis City Market in celebration of Halloween. A Heart of the Community placemaking initiative made possible by Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) and Project for Public Spaces, “Spooky Sparket” infuses the spirit of Halloween into “Sparket” through a series of community events, including catacombs tours, market house trick-o-treating, double-feature movie screenings, paranormal ghost tours and more.

A ten-week programming and community engagement intensive, “Sparket” aims to provide placemaking and other community activities to two of downtown Indianapolis’ great public spaces – Monument Circle and Indianapolis City Market. “Sparket” is generously funded through the Heart of the Community grant, a $220,000 monetary and technical support grant funded by Southwest Airlines Co. and administrated by Project for Public Spaces; that enables Indianapolis City Market and Big Car Collaborative – as partner organizations – to jointly implement plans to engage the community by reimagining historic sites as key public spaces in the “heart” of Indianapolis.

“We’re incredibly excited to be able to offer fun, lively Halloween-themed programming and events for families and guests of all ages with ‘Spooky Sparket’,” says Stevi Stoesz, Executive Director of Indianapolis City Market. “’Spooky Sparket’ is designed to celebrate the fun of Halloween by infusing evening programming into Big Car and City Market’s ‘Sparket’ placemaking initiative and continue Indianapolis City Market’s burgeoning transformation into an accessible day and nighttime cultural destination.”

KEY EVENTS AND DATES

·         IUPUI Arts & Humanities and Big Robot’s World Premier Film Screening – “The Death of the Mechanical Man”

Tuesday, Oct. 25 – Indianapolis City Market Catacombs, 7 p.m.

IUPUI Arts & Humanities in collaboration with Big Robot, unveil the world premiere of “The Death of the Mechanical Man” with a live screening and performance in Indianapolis City Market’s Catacombs. Tickets and more information available here.

·         Closing Day of Indianapolis City Market’s 19th Annual Original Farmers’ Market and Market Vendor Costume Contest

Wednesday, Oct. 26 – Indianapolis City Market, 9:30 a.m.

Indianapolis City Market will celebrate the successful conclusion of its 19th season of the Original Farmers’ Market with trick-o-treating and a market vendor costume contest. The public will be able to vote for the winning costume through an online poll. The winner receives a free vendor booth at the 20th Annual Original Farmers’ Market. The event is free and open to the public.

·         Paranormal Investigative Catacombs Demos with Other Side Paranormal Research and Catacombs Movie Screening – “As Above, So Below”

Wednesday, Oct. 26 – Indianapolis City Market Catacombs, 7:30 p.m.

Paranormal investigator Craig McCormick and Other Side Paranormal Research, will lead investigative demos in Indianapolis City Market’s Catacombs, seeking signs of paranormal activity. Demos occur every half hour beginning at 7:30 p.m. and culminate with a site-specific movie screening of the film, “As Above, So Below”. Tickets available here.

·         YELP Indy Elite Member Catacombs Dinner

Thursday, Oct. 27 – Indianapolis City Market Catacombs, 7:00 p.m.

Yelp Indy invites Yelp Elite members to an exclusive candelabra-style dinner in Indianapolis City Market’s Catacombs. Featuring an assortment of local vendors, including Smoking Goose, Tulip Tree Creamery and Cardinal Spirits, the dinner draws on the festive and spooky spirit of Halloween. More information available here.

·         Indiana Landmarks Catacombs Tours

Saturday, Oct. 29 – Indianapolis City Market Catacombs, 11:00 a.m.

Indiana Landmarks in partnership with Indianapolis City Market will lead a series of tours of Indianapolis City Market’s Catacombs, reviewing the historical, architectural and cultural significance of City Market’s Catacombs and the now demolished Tomlinson Hall. Tickets and more information available here.

·         Extended Paranormal Investigative Catacombs Demos with Other Side Paranormal Research and West Plaza Double Feature Moving Screening and Celebration – “Something Wicked This Way Comes” and “The Watcher in the Woods”

Saturday, Oct. 29 – Indianapolis City Market West Plaza and Catacombs, 8:00 p.m.

Paranormal investigator Craig McCormick and Other Side Paranormal Research, will lead an extended three-hour investigative demo in Indianapolis City Market’s Catacombs, seeking signs of paranormal activity. On West Plaza, Indianapolis City Market will screen a double feature consisting of the movies, “Something Wicked This Way Comes” and “The Watcher in the Woods”. Pumpkin steaming, trick-o-treating and other community activities will take place throughout the evening. Tickets for the demo available here. West Plaza movie screening double feature and events are free and open to the public.