WHITING – It was a blood-sucking good time on 119th Street this weekend as the Wickedly Whiting festival celebrating all things Halloween returned with a vampire theme.
Started in 2015 by the Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce as a way to highlight the abundant fall and locally celebrated Oktoberfests, what was once a one-day festival became a two-day affair l ‘last year with the addition of Friday evening to a Saturday full of terrifying fun.
Jenn Gunter-Peddycord, chamber manager, said last year’s attendance was between 20,000 and 25,000 people, and adding an extra day gives people a chance to not have to choose just one event to attend the weekend.
He explained that the vampire theme was chosen this year to coincide with the 100th anniversary of a German silent film called “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror.”
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“It’s actually one of the first horror movies and the first kind of portrayal of vampires on screen,” Gunter-Peddycord said.
He said signs should be placed during the famous vampire party over the years, along with explanations of their significance.
“Our memories this year are more vampire-centric,” Gunter-Peddycord said.
Additional food and craft vendors compared to previous years made it necessary to extend the party an extra block as it ran along 119th Street from New York Avenue to Central Avenue.
The party was child-friendly with bounce houses, games and rides for youngsters, but those who wanted to be scared had plenty of opportunity for that too, as volunteers roamed the street in menacing costumes and Massacre Manor created a haunted house
The brother duo of Donald and Thomas Plummer own the Massacre Manor Haunted Attraction, which is a mobile haunted house they set up that includes live lights, sound, special effects and costumed actors.
It was the third time they participated in the party.
“It seems to grow every year,” Thomas said. “It’s gotten bigger. There’s more vendors this year. It’s expanded, and the crowds are great for us.”
Entertainment also included a family beer garden and costume contests for children, adults and pets.
A show that included fire breathing, sword swallowing and even a live flesh suspension act was scheduled as the grand finale on Saturday night.
New to this year’s festival was the appearance of Northwest Indiana Paranormal.
“They’re actually going to do a paranormal investigation of the local library here, Whiting Public Library,” Gunter-Peddycord said.
The cost to attend these investigations on Friday and Saturday nights was $10, with the proceeds going to the library.
Luis Ruiz of Hammond came to the festival for the first time.
“We saw that there was a costume party for pets or a costume contest, so we wanted to bring her to see if we could win,” said Ruiz.
Although her dog, Yuki, didn’t win, she got a lot of attention in her adorable skunk outfit.
Diana Davis of Hammond also made her first trip to the festival.
“I think it’s great,” Davis said. “You get to go out and meet people, see their pets and everybody else, and sample different vendors.”
Kira Andrews and Cayman Green, both of Hobart, walked down 119th Street dressed as cows while taking a break from working at one of the food trucks.
It was the first time for both of them to attend Wickedly Whiting.
“I think it’s great, but sometimes I’m scared,” Andrews said.
He specified that people in clown suits were particularly scary.
Frederick Williams of Hammond said the festival is a lot of fun for the kids, but also for the adults.
“You can relax, let your hair down a little bit,” Williams said. “I really like the beer garden, you know, and a lot of the live music acts they have every year.”
Williams’ 11-year-old son, Amon, dressed in a dinosaur costume that completely concealed his identity.
He said it felt weird walking down the street like a dinosaur.
“It feels good, but then again it feels embarrassing,” Amon said. “I don’t know why.”
John Tomczak had a full supply of scary masks to wear both while working and during breaks from working at Big Frank’s Sausage Food Tent.
He enjoyed giving people a good scare and noted how great the crowd was on Friday night.
“I think it’s a great concept,” Tomczak said. “People come together and have a good time, enjoy the spirit of Halloween.”
The Hoosier Theater on 119th Street even got into the spirit as it advertised a special screening of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” in its marquee.
Many attendees of all ages dressed up in their Halloween best as they strolled down the street to sample food or check out the various vendors selling mostly Halloween-related goods.
PHOTOS: Wickedly Whiting returns to 119th Street
Wickedly Whiting returns to 119th Street
John Tomczak worked to scare people while also working Big Frank’s sausage tent at the Wickedly Whiting festival.
Paul Czapkowicz
Wickedly Whiting returns to 119th Street
Nora Darby of Hammond dressed as a ladybug Saturday at the Wickedly Whiting Festival held on 119th Street.
Paul Czapkowicz
Wickedly Whiting returns to 119th Street
Amon Williams of Hammond dressed as a dinosaur Saturday at the Wickedly Whiting Festival held in downtown Whiting.
Paul Czapkowicz
Wickedly Whiting returns to 119th Street
A giant skeleton advertised the Massacre Manor haunted house that was a main attraction at the Wickedly Whiting festival held this weekend on 119th Street.
Paul Czapkowicz
Wickedly Whiting returns to 119th Street
Kira Andrews, left, and Cayman Green, both of Hobart, walk down 119th Street dressed as cows on Saturday as part of the annual Wickedly Whiting Festival.
Paul Czapkowicz
Wickedly Whiting returns to 119th Street
Yuki, a dog belonging to Hammond resident Luis Ruiz, was dressed as a skunk to participate in a pet costume contest held in conjunction with the Wickedly Whiting festival held this weekend on 119th Street.
Paul Czapkowicz
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