ATHENS, GA—The 11th annual Wild Rumpus Parade & Spectacle will take place in various locations in historic Athens, Georgia, on Friday, October 25th and Saturday, October 26th. This year’s theme is “FLOW-R POW-R”. This Halloween celebration has grown into a substantial fundraiser and one of the biggest holiday festivals in the Southeast; it includes free and ticketed special events (some preceding the weekend event), live music, street performers, and a free, all-inclusive, family-friendly COSTUME PARADE through the streets of downtown enhanced by Athens-area bands along the route. 

The Wild Rumpus is a charitable event channeling profits from fundraising to local non-profit organizations that work for the betterment of the community. This year's beneficiary is Athens' beloved artist and musicians' resource, Nuçi's Space, an organization with a focus on musicians whose mission is to prevent suicide, advocates for and helps to alleviate the suffering for those living with a brain illness, and fights to end the stigma of mental illness.

Athens Mayor, Kelly Girtz, comments, "In the ten years that the Wild Rumpus has channeled this energy into a parade and public gathering it has become the season highlight of our downtown community. Seniors, children, students, professionals, locals and visitors all have such a great time creating and witnessing all manner of costumes. Events like this draw the entire community together, and demonstrate the warmth, creativity, and unity that is a hallmark of Athens' character."

The schedule for this year’s Wild Rumpus & Spectacle “FLOW-R POW-R” is as follows with all events subject to change:

Thursday, September 26th, 6-8 p.m.-- The opening of “Fun” @ Hotel Indigo Athens Art Gallery, 500 College Ave”—“FUN” is an art exhibition featuring works by Brittainy Lauback, Neil Hancock, Jolene O'Brien, Kim Truesdale, Katherine Miele, Hannah Betzel and Marla Star.  Music will be provided by DJ John Kiran Fernandez. Specialty cocktails will be available with proceeds benefiting Wild Rumpus and Nuçi's Space.  Admission is FREE.

Friday, October 18th, 12-3 p.m. –The Monster Mash, The Foundry, 295 E. Doughtery Street--Halloween party for families and young people includes a haunted house, arts & crafts, music, performances, games and FUN for all ages!  Tickets are $8 (13 and up), $6 (6-12 years), and free for children 5 and younger thefoundryathens.com

Friday, October 25th @ 8 p.m. – The Kickoff Party, The Foundry, 295 E. Doughtery St.--A costume bash featuring live music from spook-tastic rocker, Unknown Hinson, Shehehe, and Andrea & Mudd. This event is open to patrons 18 and older. Doors open at 6 p.m.  Tickets are $10 for students (with valid I.D.), $15 in advance and $20 at the door.  Reservations for tables & VIP packages are also available.  thefoundryathens.com

Saturday, October 26th @ 8:45 a.m.-- "Wild RUN-pus" 5K Race and Fun Run For Kids, Creature Comforts Brewing Co., 271 W. Hancock Ave.--A free 4 block fun run for young folks begins at 8:45 a.m. The 5K run begins at 9 a.m. Registration for the 5K is $30 and includes medal, breakfast & 1 beer for runners 21 and older.  Register online at wildrumpus.org/5K or morning of the race beginning at 7 a.m.

Saturday, October 26th @ 5-8 p.m.-- The RUMPUS RALLY, Creature Comforts Brewing Co., 271 W. Hancock Ave.--Pre-parade gathering with live music from Athens’ favorites: Elf Power, Calico Vision and Chief Rocka. This is FREE and open to patrons of all ages. For the event, Creature Comforts will be releasing an exclusive, limited holiday-themed "Dracula's Blood" Transylvania Weiss Beer brewed with passion fruit, cocoa nibs, hibiscus and lactose.

Saturday, October 26th @ 8:30 p.m.-- WILD RUMPUS PARADE, Downtown Athens--This FREE parade, open to all ages, begins at Creature Comforts on the corner of W. Hancock Ave. and Pulaski St. and ends on College Ave. in front of Athens’ City Hall Attendees are encouraged to dress in costume and anyone dressed in costume may walk in the parade.  There will be live bands en route including: SHΛKTi, Motorhead 2X, Caulfield, El ChupaSKAbra, Fish Bug, Cabbage Looper, In Sonitus Lux, Carla Le Fever and The Rays, Family Recipe, Flamethrowers, and Ad Blanco.  The parade culminates with a Circus-like Dance Party in "Rumpusland" with music from Booty Boyz DJs, fire performances from Athens Burn Collective, trapeze performances from Canopy Studio, and a second music stage from Rabbit Hole Studio with performances by White Rabbit Collective, and Athens hip-hop heavyweights LG, Kxng Blanco, and Seline Haze.

Saturday, October 26th @ 10 p.m.--The Royal Rumpus Ball --Georgia Theatre, 215 N. Lumpkin St.-Creature Comforts Brewing Co. and Zero Mile presents Boombox, an electronic blend of soulful rock and blues based dance music incorporating backbeat, psychedelia and funky house sounds.  Support TBA.  This event is open to patrons 18 and older.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 day of show.  The Georgia Theatre Rooftop will feature Booty Boys at 10:30 p.m. Event is open to patrons 21 and over.  Admission is $5.  georgiatheatre.com.

Saturday, October 26th—Various venues/times/ages restrictions and ticket prices:

40 Watt Club, 285 W. Washington St.-The Kourtesans; Caledonia Lounge, 256 W Clayton St--Monsoon, Five-Eight, Nihilist Cheerleader; and Flicker Theater and Bar, 263 W Washington St-- Surface to Air Missive, Laser Background & True Blossom.

This year's Wild Rumpus Parade & Spectacle is supported by Athens Downtown Development Authority, Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau and The Classic Center Authority for its appeal as a tourist attraction for legendary arts hub, Athens, GA. In conjunction with the Wild Rumpus weekend, special hotel deals and weekend packages are available at four of Athens’ best hotels: The Graduate Hotel, Hyatt Place Athens, Hotel Indigo, and Georgia Gameday Center. Patrons are encouraged to make reservations early as rooms are limited. Visit wildrumpus.org/wheretostay for details.

The Wild Rumpus & Spectacle "FLOW-R POW-R" is made possible by these partners and sponsors: Athens Downtown Development Authority, Creature Comforts Brewing Co., Athens Life Unleashed, Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau, The Classic Center Cultural Foundation, The Graduate and The Foundry, DePalma's Italian Café, The Grill, Hyatt Place Athens, Hotel Indigo, Georgia Gameday Center, Rabbit Hole Studios, Barberitos, Old Guard Graphics, The Barbara and Frank Rice Memorial Fund at Athens Area Community Foundation, RubySue Graphics, Hotel Indigo, Sexy Suz Couples Boutique, The Hanmer Family, Flagpole, BED Productions, APEX Signs, Neal and Pat Priest, Sharon Dahlhaus, Sister Louisa's Church, Synovus Bank, Canopy Studio, Amici Cafe, MTI Baths, Matilda Jane Clothing, The Uncommon, Michelle Roche Media Relations and more.

All events Wild Rumpus & Spectacle events will take place rain or shine.

For more information on Wild Rumpus Parade & Spectacle events, hotel packages, and interactive parade route map please visit wildrumpus.org.

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Please direct all media inquiries to:

Michelle Roche Media Relations

706-206-5552

michelle@michelleroche.com