Joanne Williams
Editor
(Joanne Williams/TCJ – Pay no attention to the space ship on the Courthouse Square on Labor Day Weekend, in fact, there will be aliens crawling inside the museum as well as part of The Festival of Oddities.)
It is happening again, and this time aliens are taking center stage at the 17th annual Festival of Oddities.
Why not? The festival, which these days draws close to 20,000 over a two-day period, this year Sept. 4 and 5, is meant to showcase the odder things in life.
There are similar festivals in Michigan, one of the earliest was held at the Turner-Dodge House in Lansing, but this one has blossomed into a monstrous menagerie of stranger things.
One of the reasons for the Charlotte location is the historic 1885-Courthouse Square Museum, a cavernous building of mysteries itself.
Almost two decades ago, then Museum Manager Julie Kimmer saw the potential for success with such a dramatic backdrop.
She also had some experience in all things spooky – she and husband Dan, were owners of the “Halloween House” in Charlotte for almost 30 years.
The stately home at the corner of Lovett and Pleasant was bedecked and bedazzled into a macabre and entertaining Trick or Treat stop every Halloween, with the help of family and friends.
Now coordinating the Festival is Jennifer Carpenter. Her Scream Queen Productions puts the polish on promotions and entertainment. The author and podcaster hosted Demented Mitten Tours as well.
For two days, the Courthouse Square is packed with vendors, food, entertainment, and folks from all over with an interest in oddities from aliens to reptiles, costumes and unique creations.
“We also have support from our neighbors,” Kimmer said, as the First Congregational Church and Needful Things sponsors vendors and more, and parking can be fittingly found at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
The event is a fund-raiser for the Museum. A low admission cost allows folks to go inside for a peek at what might lurk in every nook and cranny.
The Festival also helps support other non-profits through sales and donations, including Helping Hands Food Pantry, Saved by Zade, the Epilepsy Foundation and Rescue Reptiles.
There is no admission charge to roam the square and surrounding grounds.
A separate Ghost Hunt is being sponsored on Sept. 5 to help raise more funds for the Museum. Crossroads for Curiosity, a paranormal media group, will be leading the way through the Courthouse.
Kimmer said the Festival has been a positive one for those involved, with a “welcome feeling” for all, including people watchers.
The Festival of Oddities is one of almost 30 festivals that takes place in Charlotte annually. It is on the cusp of a similar event, Shadow Season, which offers special seasonally-themed offerings from Oct. 3-31. This year’s theme is “The Reaper Calls.”
There is something to be said about this spooky theme. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent $13 billion on Halloween, second to Christmas spending.
Historian Bill Loomis, in a Michigan Public Radio interview, said Michigan has long been a fan of the harvest event.
It became more well observed, in the mid 1800s, when Scottish and Irish settlers brought their customs, based in church and harvest celebrations, to the Midwest.
Ghost stories, sweet treats and tricks have always been a part of the festivities.
