Taking a break from the too-many-to-count October festivals in our city, the folks at BarFly Ventures are hosting a fall version of their Irish on Ionia party with a nod to the electronic music scene of West Michigan as they debut Halloween on Ionia.
BarFly and McFadden’s Irish Saloon will stage their event on Ionia Avenue between Weston and Oakes Streets to host its massive street party.
The first 1,000 individuals who download the new HOI2013 App on iTunes or Google Play and complete their ticket purchase will receive a VIP wristband. These mristbands will garner the ticket holder early access to the event’s VIP Pre-Party, which will begin at noon on Saturday and feature drink specials and an appearance by DJ OBJ.
If you do not have a smart phone, no worries; you can bypass the new HOI2013 app and get tickets at the Grand Rapids Brewing Company, Stella’s Lounge, HopCat, HopCat – East Lansing, and online at ticketweb.com. A limited number of tickets will be sold the day of the event for $15.
This new app not only gets you a few great perks (and I am guessing BarFly a few stats about you in the process), but the app will be the easiest way to vote in the costume contest where the public will begin voting every hour on the hour starting at 7 p.m. for the best costume. Again, if you do not have the app, there will be voting stations set up around the venue for the public to cast their ballot.
The winner of each heat will be awarded $1,000. Finally at midnight, the five winners will take the stage and the overall best costume, based on crowd applause, will receive an additional $1,000.
Appearing on stage this year at the inaugural HOI will be DJ Flipside, Mixin’ Marc, Alex Peace, Alexander B2B Subtractive, Biff Tannen, Drill Team, DJ Slim Tim, Kalendar, and headliner Anthony Attalla.
No worries if you have concerns over the dropping temps this weekend. Shane of BarFly assures us that they will have plenty of heaters to roast partygoers in their tents. This also means you do not have to edit your creative use of your exposed skin for your costume, Tarzan and Miley “Wrecking Ball” Wannabees. Shane says have fun, get creative and don’t worry about the risk of hypothermia.
As with every street party from BarFly, there will be signature and tasty Stoner Tacos (meaty and veggie options) along with a few featured items from HopCat and Grand Rapids Brewing Company. All this good grub can be washed down with a Perrin Brewery beer or a Budweiser or an Angry Orchard Cider. They even will bring back the wildly popular Irish on Ionia’s Hammerschlagen Games.
If you plan to compete in the contest this year, the event organizers ask that you please be sure to sign up between 2 and 6 p.m. The hourly judging begins at 7 p.m. and goes on until the grand finale voting round and top prize for best costume being determined finally by attendee’s applause at Midnight.
Just get there and dance the day and night away with 7,000 of your closest friends dressed to impress in their Halloween best!
Admission: $10 in advance, $15 at the door as available.
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