For quite a few years, Company Brewing has brought Nightmare on Center Street to its Riverwest home — an event that wrapped live music, fun activities and of course beverages in a Halloween package. This year, the event itself will get dressed up a little differently for the occasion by becoming a block party on the adjacent Fratney Street.
The all-day happening starts at 11 a.m. this Saturday, Oct. 28, and runs well past midnight with a lineup of events that gets a little more grown-up as things move along.
The first few hours are family-friendly, kicking off with a kids and pets costume contest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will also be a giant inflatable trampoline park for anyone with littles (or maybe just anyone who enjoys a good bounce) and a trick-or-treating opportunity. For that last one, those in costume can shout the operative phrase at any beer, snack, food or other vendor to receive something in their pumpkin bucket or other receptacle.
The earlier phase of the party from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. also includes tunes from DJ Fuzzy Logic and the Big Style Brass Band, a makers and vintage mini-market, a food tent and brunch specials inside Company.
During that portion, those of proper drinking age can start crushing some creative selections, none more so than a station that allows you to combine the brewery’s Pink Guava Gose with any of four homemade beer syrups fashioned after four classic Halloween candies: Gummy Worms, Fun Dip, Peach Rings and blue Jolly Ranchers. On top of that, there are a couple “blood bag” cocktail concoctions (one for adults and another that’s safe for kiddies), a bottled glittery shot and three one-off beers — Pumptoberfest, Citra “Hop Rocket” Poor Farm Pils and Coffee Blond.
After the clock hits 9 p.m., there’s a $10 cover for a music lineup heavy on bands putting on their best “other bands” costumes. Phasing starts things off at 9:30 p.m. as Blink-182, Turn N Fire will perform as Lady Gaga at 10:15 p.m., Widacre will do Deftones at 11 p.m., and Freak on a Leash Fellowship will lead a late-night DJ dance party starting at midnight.
Company Brewing has set up two Facebook event pages with more information: one for the general Nightmare on Center Street, and another for the kids and pets costume contest.
