GREENFIELD — Even in the face of intense interrogation, Denna Gundrum was tight-lipped about the details of “Nightmare on Main Street.”
“It’s not your typical Halloween event,” she hinted. “it’s more than just a party and dinner — it’s shenanigans, games, prizes.”
Hosted by the “We’ve Got Your Back” committee — an organization of merchant-members of the Greenfield Area Chamber of Commerce — “Nightmare on Main Street” will open its creaky, squeaky doors at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at Bradley Hall, 2 W. Main St.
The haunted evening begins with “small bites,” otherwise known as appetizers. At 7:30 p.m., the door to the dining chamber — which will remained locked until…the time is right, Gundrum said — opens and the creatures (the guests) will be allowed in by the Lord and Lady of the Manor.
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Gundrum, owner of Penny’s Florist and president of “We’ve Got Your Back,” refused to reveal the identity of the Lord and Lady but she did spill the beans on the dinner — two entrees: “Franken-loin” (a pork loin) and “Breast of Bat” (rosemary-encrusted chicken breast.) Dinner will be buffet-style, but desserts will be served to tables.
Gundrum returned to her vow of silence when it came to the venue’s décor, but she did promise an extraordinary atmosphere — even on the lower level of the three-story building.
“The thing that’s so over the top that people will be amazed by will be the decoration,” Gundrum said. “We really want to go for the wow factor.”
Gundrum and her team of 20 volunteers who love Halloween have been working on the details for “Nightmare on Main Street” for nearly a year. It takes a village, Gundrum said. The motto for the group is “Mindfully knowing where your money goes after it leaves your wallet.”
“We’re educating the community on the importance of shopping locally,” Gundrum said, “so we can give back to local non-profits. COVID-19 is not helping us a bit, but our non-profits need our help now more than ever.”
Gundrum came up with the idea for an adult Halloween event three years ago. By the time 2020 rolled around, it was an idea whose time had come.
“It’s something the community has never done before,” Gundrum said. “A lot of people enjoy this holiday. It’s a time when adults can become kids again and escape the reality of 2020.”
Tickets for the event are available for $100 at Penny’s Florist (1311 W. Main), the Greenfield Area Chamber of Commerce (1 Courthouse Plaza) and online at Eventbrite.com (search Nightmare on Main Street — Halloween Costume Ball, Dinner & Dancing).
“It’s an event,” Gundrum says. “We went all out. Hors d’ oeuvres, a drink voucher, a top notch dinner, Darry Hood as DJ, shenanigans, games, prizes.”
Among the aforementioned games and shenanigans being planned by the committee is something Gundrum calls “the ‘It Won’t Bite You’ Box.” Guests brave enough will don gloves and insert a hand into the box — for 45 seconds — which is filled with a variety of sight-unseen Halloween items. Then the courageous participants in this spooky version of Feely-Meely will then have to write down all the things they can remember they touched while rooting around in the box.
Attendees are also strongly encouraged to come in costume. Prizes will be awarded for individual as well as couples costumes. Throughout the evening of games and contests, more than 100 prizes will be awarded.
The proceeds from this year’s event will go to benefit the Hancock County Senior Center with a portion also going to the Hancock County Boys and Girls Club. The committee plans to repeat the event next year, selecting two different beneficiary non-profits.
For those on the fence about the event, Gundrum promises hand sanitizer, masks and social distancing. And the ticket includes a drink voucher.
“You won’t regret it,” Gundrum said. “If you love Halloween and you want to do something fun with a purpose, this is the event you want to go to. You’ll have a blast, and the money you spend goes to help people right here in Hancock County.”
