DEADWEIRD: Here’s what’s happening during Deadwood’s two-day Halloween event

Photo Courtesy: Historic Deadwood website

DEADWOOD, S.D. – Things are getting weird in Deadwood this weekend. The two-day event Deadweird begins Friday night and for all of the night events you must be 21 or older.

“It’s incredible what people will bring to the event,” Sarah Kryger, event coordinator of the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce, said. “Your alter ego comes out and you could be somebody else for one night. That’s why I love it because I could be someone different every year.”

Friday, Oct. 28

• The Monster Ball kicks off the two days of festivities.
• 6-10 p.m. at the Saloon 10.
  • There is live music by Cowardly Lions and a People’s Choice Costume Contest. Winners of the contest will be announce at 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 29

• A Trunk or Treat, which is the only family-friendly event, lets anyone get treats from vehicle trunks.
  • 3-5 p.m. at the Days of ’76 Event Complex
• The Costume Contest and Party follows the trunk-or-treating with a DJ and dancing.
  • 6-10 p.m. at the Franklin Hotel

Costume Contest & Prizes

Registration for the contest will be at Outlaw Square, before the contest starts at 6 p.m., Saturday. People must be 21 or older to participate.

• Judging for the single costume contest will be at the Silverado
• Judging for the group costume contest will be in the Franklin Hotel

Winners will be announce at 9:30 p.m. at the Franklin Hotel. There is $10,000 in cash and prizes for the winners of the costume contest.

Some Deadweird Stories

“When I was Bartholomew from Spaceballs, I had these ears that were controlled by brainwaves,” Andy Mosher, executive director of Deadwood Alive (a.k.a. Con Stapleton), said. “So, if I was sad, they drooped down. If I was happy and excited, they popped up. It was really amazing. I did not even get considered for one of the prizes.”

“I think one of the funniest things that ever happened to me on Halloween was when I was a homeless person,” Travis Pearson, a.k.a. Wild Bill Hickok, said. “I had my hair all messed up and my jacket on and some ripped-up sweatpants. Then they were just dirty and grungy, sticks in my hair and stuff. My mom and dad came to town and wanted to take me to dinner. So, my mother kept going, ‘I can’t believe you’re dressed like that.’ I said, ‘it’s Deadweird. Everybody will be dressed up.’ We go out to The Lodge to have dinner.

“Not a soul in there had a costume on. Just me as a homeless person. My mom’s just freaking out and I’m telling her, ‘you’re looking real humanitarian here, mom. You’re taking this guy out to dinner, this homeless man.’ There’s five of us. The place is packed. There’s only a table for four. So the other four people sit around the table and I sit off to the side just a little bit.”