10/12/2026
Halloween Happenings will feature multiple artists demonstrating their talents around the Halloween theme. Donna Gearhart will share how she creates Halloween decorations, Julie Lehmer will create and sell Halloween-themed jewelry, Katie Bupp will demonstrate making linocuts with pink pearl erasers, Brenda Hartman will paint masks, Kim Morrow will coordinate an interactive art stand that involves attendees, and some artists will work collaboratively on bean art. Food will be available for purchase while supplies last. There is no admission fee to enjoy the market house activities.
Just outside the market house, attendees may enjoy our Halloween Car Show. Select car enthusiasts will have their vehicles on display on Third Street between Cherry Street and Locust Street which will be closed to active traffic for this event. Some vehicles may be decorated for the holiday. Attendees may view the vehicles free of charge, but all are invited to purchase tickets inside the Historic Columbia Market House so they may cast their vote for their favorite car. The Halloween Car Show will run from 3:00 to 5:45PM, with the car show winner announced inside the market house at 6:00PM. If you would like to participate in our Halloween Car Show, a car registration form is here:https://edfd86aa-26cc-4c8a-b5c0-dc12f211f053.filesusr.com/ugd/3cc784_4f5f6da8983b43f48179dbf66597b804.pdf
The third feature of Halloween Happenings is the Decorating Contest. Since the call for properties to participate exceeded expectations, the number of entered properties competing now stands at 20! Halloween Happenings attendees who purchase tickets will be given the list of addresses to view and vote upon. Only the outside decorations on the front of each property may be considered when driving past to determine which one wins a vote. The committee recommends that our ticket holders view these properties between 5:00 and 7:45PM when it is darker to enjoy the maximum effect of the decorations. All should return to the market house to cast their votes by 7:45PM to allow time to tabulate the results. The winner of the Halloween Decorating Contest will be announced at 8:00PM.
As a bonus, all ballots for the Halloween Car Show and the Halloween Decorating Contest will be mixed together, with one name drawn from all those who voted during the day. Someone’s vote will pay off in a gift certificate awarded to the winner of the Lucky Voter prize.
Ticket packages costing $10 include a ballot for the Halloween Car Show, a ballot for the Halloween Decorating Contest, and a list of the addresses of properties participating in the contest. Families may be interested in the family package for $25. This package includes 3 ballots for the Halloween Car Show, 3 ballots for the Halloween Decorating Contest, and a list of the addresses of properties participating in the contest. Ticket packages may be purchased on 3 dates at the Historic Columbia Market House: Thursday, October 22, from 4:00PM to 6:00 PM; Saturday, October 24, from 9:00AM to 1:00PM; and Sunday, October 25, beginning at 2:30PM. Tickets may be reserved ahead of time by calling the Create Columbia event line at 223-246-7271. These pre-paid ticket packages may be picked up at the market house on the event date. Cash, check, credit card, or Venmo may be used to purchase tickets.
This event is made possible through sponsorships by the Columbia Fraternal Association, the Columbia American Legion Post #372, Foresters of America No. 235, and Kleen-Rite Corp.
