All Hallows Illumination of Ypsi’s Frog Island Park returns after two-year hiatus

After a hiatus in 2024, hundreds of jack-o-lanterns will return to Ypsilanti’s Frog Island Park for the All Hallows Illumination of Frog Island on Nov. 1 from 6-9 p.m.

The free, family-friendly event’s main draw is its jack-o-lantern display, but it also includes music, costumes, and more. Janette Rook, former owner of The Eyrie in Ypsilanti’s Depot Town, originally created the event. It was canceled last year after her attempts to hand the event off to new organizers fell through. This year, the festival has become an official Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and First Fridays Ypsilanti event, says steering committee volunteer James Decker.

“The core of the event is when people, after Halloween, bring their jack-o-lanterns down to Frog Island so you can see everyone’s creativity in one place,” Decker says.

This year, in addition to a DJ, the Ypsilanti Youth Choir will join the event for the first time. An artisans’ market, organized by graphic designer and Holy Bones Artisan Markets co-founder Holly Schoenfield, will also feature 10 vendors offering handmade spooky goods. Also new this year is a pet parade sponsored by Depot Town Cats and Dogs.

Decker says All Hallows’ Day events sometimes occur in southern states but they aren’t common anywhere in Michigan. He says the Frog Island event is one of many things that “make Ypsilanti the unique place that it is.”

Decker says local business owners have been excited about bringing the festival back this year. He hopes the community will take ownership of the event so it doesn’t “fall on the shoulders of just one person.”

“It should be owned by the community, and the goal is for the festival to have longevity,” Decker says.

Anyone who wants to sponsor the festival can email AllHallows@FirstFridaysYpsilanti.com or call (202) 487-0969. More information and a full schedule are available on the First Fridays website and the organization’s social media channels.