The Rock Island Downtown Alliance is excited to present Back from the Dead on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12-13. The new event promotes the diverse mix of attractions awaiting discovery downtown during the fall season leading up to Halloween.
Free trolley rides will be provided for the public to patronize spooky and not-so-spooky places throughout downtown. Activities include haunted houses and tours, tarot card readings, retail vendor markets and more.
On Saturday, Oct. 5, the Haunted Rock Island Roadhouse Paracon (Paranormal Convention) returns bigger and better this year to the Dan Vinar Furniture Co. building.
“The spooky season is an exciting time for a lot of our businesses that celebrate Halloween and host holiday-themed events,” Rock Island Downtown Alliance Executive Director Jack Cullen said in a news release. “Back from the Dead aims to give people an opportunity to get into the spooky-season spirit and discover some of the great amenities and attractions in downtown Rock Island.”
Spooky season in downtown Rock Island officially kicked off in early September with the opening of Addams Family at Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse. The fun continued Friday, Sept. 27, with the opening of Terror at Skellington Manor and Shock House Haunted House at the QCCA Expo Center.
Back from the Dead events that will hit high gear on Oct. 12-13, include:
Trolley Routes:
Saturday, Oct. 12:
- BOOtique Bash at Brick and Motor Boutique, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Free spooky gift bag with any in-store purchase.
- Wake Brewing Seven-Year Anniversary and Harvest Fest, 2-8 p.m. Live Mexican-style lucha libre wrestling, beer releases, food truck, live screen printing, music and giveaways.
- Free Tarot Card Readings at Spellbound, 4-7 p.m.
- Art Exhibition, “It’s Fine. Everything is Fine” at Quad City Arts. From 5-8 p.m. A reception will celebrate the opening of a group art exhibition.
- QC Haunts & History Tours at Second Avenue and 19th Street depart every 30 minutes from 6-8 p.m. Take a mini ghost tour and hear stories about some of our dearly departed residents. Tours are 30 minutes long. Free. RSVP. required online.
- Addams Family at Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse, 5:45 p.m. dinner; 7:30 p.m. show. Advance tickets recommended at circa21.com.
- 100 Laughs Improv Comedy Show at The Speakeasy, 7 p.m. doors open; 8 p.m. show. Cost: $10 in advance by calling (309) 786-7733 extension 2; $12 at the door (21+).
- OUTLETProgramme Presents: Maria Chavez + Bob Bucko, Jr. at ROZZ-TOX, 7 p.m. doors open; 8 p.m. show. Cost: $12 in advance at rozztox.com; $18 at the door (cash-only). Ms. Chávez is best known as an abstract turntablist, sound artist and DJ. She is the only abstract turntablist in the world who performs with a rare RAKE Double Needle. It contains two needles on one head, allowing it to read two different segments of a single record at the same time. Plus, a new set from BBJr exploring the textures of the bass clarinet using contact mics.
- Shock House Haunted House at QCCA Expo Center, 7-11 p.m. Cost: $20. Shock House is a Quad Cities top-rated dark haunted attraction unlike any other in the area.
- Terror at Skellington Manor, 7 p.m.-midnight. Cost: $25. Step into the dark side of Skellington Manor to experience “Theatre of the Macabre,” where fear and fun collide in the most exhilarating haunted manor experience of your life.
Sunday, Oct. 13
- Rock Island Artists’ Market at Skeleton Key Art & Antiques, 12-5 p.m. Shoppers will find dozens of local artists, makers, food vendors, live music and so much more; free admission.
- Eerie Emporium at Bent River Brewing Company, 12-4 p.m. The Eerie Emporium is a new Halloween/horror-themed vendor market in Bent River Brewing’s Uncommon Room. You’ll find original art, vintage items, spooky stuff and other Halloween-related items. There will also be tarot readings, a tattoo contest, the Death Mobile, a massage therapist and wandering ghouls for photo ops. Plus, there will be sweet treats and a taco truck. Free admission.
- $5 Bloody Marys with Beer Sidecar at Wake Brewing, 12-8 p.m.
- $0.75 Wings and NFL Football at Rooster’s Sports Bar & Grill, noon-10 p.m.
- Free Tarot Card Readings at Spellbound, 2-5 p.m.
- Addams Family at Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse,| 3:45 p.m. dinner; 5:30 p.m. show. Advance tickets recommended at circa21.com.
- QC Haunts & History Tours at Second Ave. and 19th St. departing every 30 minutes from 6-8 p.m. Free; RSVP required online.
- Shock House Haunted House @ QCCA Expo Center, 7-10 p.m. Cost: $20.
- Terror at Skellington Manor, 7-10 p.m. Cost: $25.
The Rock Island Downtown Alliance formed in 2023 as a joint effort between the public and private sectors to strengthen livability and quality of place in downtown Rock Island. The Downtown Alliance, an affiliate of the Quad Cities Chamber, partners with the City of Rock Island to staff, manage and implement Downtown Special Service Area (SSA) programs.
