Do you believe in ghosts? You just might after spending a night in the haunted Moonville Tunnel. Midnight at Moonville is an annual one-day family-friendly fall festival featuring a Haunted Trail, wagon rides to the nearby ghost town of Ingham Station, dramatic storytelling, regional craft vendors, souvenirs, historical presentations, music performances, roaming spooks, and much more. The night ends with an interactive demonstration of paranormal investigation techniques hosted by a respected research group.
The 2023 event will be held Saturday, October 14 from 3 p.m. to midnight. Parking will be at two locations this year. The main parking area is at 71815 Shea Road, McArthur, Ohio 45651. The second location is at Uncle Buck’s Riding Stable and Dance Barn, 73930 Buck Lane, New Marshfield, OH 45766. Wristbands are required for entry. The admission fee is $5 per person (children age 12 and under are free); there is no additional parking fee, although the Vinton County Wrestling Team will be collecting donations there. Transportation shuttles will run continuously between all festival areas. Most activities and entertainment are free. For more information, contact the Vinton County CVB at 740-596-7077 or director@visitvintoncounty.org.
Music Schedule
At Moonville Tunnel:
3:00-4:30 – Andy Milliken
4:45-6:15 – Micah Ian Kesselring
6:30-8:15 – Caitlyn Kraus Trio
8:30-10:30 – Poverty String Band Trio
At Uncle Buck’s Riding Stable and Dance Barn:
3:00-4:15 – Wevo
4:30-7:00 – Woodpickers
7:30-9:00 – Shaun Booker Dammit Band
9:30-11:00 – The Wild Honeybees
With band introductions by local comedian Carlin Hagerty!
Festival Schedule
3:00 p.m. – Event opens (music, storytelling, and tarot card reading starts, Little Monster Contest registration begins at parking, Shea Farmhouse vacation rental open house)
4:00 p.m. – Little Monster Contest at Shea Farmhouse (parking area)
6:00 p.m. – Wagon rides to Ingham Station ghost town begin
8:00 p.m. (or after dark) – Haunted Trail opens
8:30 p.m. – Crowning of Miss Moonville (tunnel stage)
11:00 p.m. – Paranormal investigation demonstration by P.R.I.S.M.
Midnight – Festival ends
Sponsors
Classic Brands
Hammond Hardware and Lumber
Hampton Inn Athens
Uncle Buck’s Riding Stable and Dance Barn
The Miss Moonville Pageant is sponsored by:
Wicked Sensations Tattooing & Body Piercing
Spring Street Sports
The Mill House Flowers & Gifts
The Little Monster Contest is sponsored by:
Skin Hooked Tattoo & Body Piercing
Special thanks to A.T. Hoy Transportation, Walker Farm, Vinton County EMS, Vinton County Sheriff’s Office, Zaleski Volunteer Fire Dept., and all our volunteer staff members!
Volunteers
We are in need of volunteers to staff Midnight at Moonville. If you would like to help, simply fill out the online application. Volunteers get some nifty perks, including:
- Free admission to the festival
- Free snacks and drinks
- Free t-shirt of your choice
Event Map
Tips for Attending
- Arrive early and follow the signs to the designated parking area on Shea Road
- There will be some walking over rough terrain, so wear comfortable shoes
- Bring a flashlight; the event organizers will also have some available for sale
- The event is in a rural area, so cell phone and Internet service is not reliable
- Bring cash and checks to buy food or merchandise, as credit card services will be unavailable
Vendors
At the Parking Area:
- The Rolling Pin Mobile Kitchen (pulled pork, loaded nachos, hot dogs, chili dogs)
- The Sugar Cookie Sisters (royal icing sugar cookies)
- Psychedelic Fibers (tie dye and patchwork clothing)
- Kallikae Creations (laser-engraved items/signs, cutting boards, keychains)
- Racheal Richardson (assorted common-rare houseplants)
- Starner Gemstones (chakra, healing crystals, minerals, jewelry, gemstones)
- Robin’s Tees (paranormal t-shirts, décor, and accessories)
- Let’s Glow Crazy! (LED masks and merchandise, cryptid plushies)
- Local Author Bryna Butler (YA and middle grade paranormal books)
- Survive on a Look (survivalist-themed jewelry)
- Steffie’s Sparkles (handmade jewelry, accessories, and décor)
- Crystal’s Dying Arts (oddities, curiosities, bone art, jewelry)
- Kirt Brooks (artist)
- Paul and Elyse Rimola
- More to be announced!
At Moonville Tunnel:
- Zaleski Volunteer Fire Dept. (chili, chicken noodles, grilled cheese, coffee, hot chocolate)
- The Dough Maker (pulled pork, BBQ, pizza, hotdogs, beverages)
- Royal Treats Food Truck (bourbon/teriyaki/BBQ chicken, deepfried Mac & Cheese/pickles/cheesecake)
- Johnny Wontons (Cajun and Creole cuisine wontons)
- Amy Noble (apple/peach dumplings, iced/hot coffee, fresh apple cider, lemonade)
- Granni Janni’s Kettle Corn (kettle popcorn)
- Cain’s Creations (homemade fudge and sweets)
- Frost Bite (freeze-dried candy)
- VCMS Cheerleaders (bake sale fundraiser, drinks, raffle)
- Pat and Jannette Quackenbush (Haunted Ohio/Moonville ghost books, creepy art)
- Wicked Whimsies (handcrafted goods, crocheted stuffies, resin, paintings, cryptids)
- Nadine’s Nook (polymer clay figurines, laser-engraved items)
- High Tech Homesteaders (freeze-dried candy, herbal tea, crafts, resin/concrete products)
- Breanna Francis (car freshies, hangers, keychains, pens)
- Amy Zimmerman (handmade keychains, souvenirs, candles)
- Cindy Tolliver
- The Pretty Peculiar (art prints, pins, earrings, keychains, stickers, 3D prints)
- Miranda Miller (tarot card reading)
- Twisted Willow Traders (handmade bigfoot/alien jewelry, handmade leather/casket silver earrings)
- Kelly Yoho (wire-wrapped jewelry)
- Hammond Hardware (Halloween and fall décor, souvenirs, cryptid merch, vintage candy)
- Crescent Moon Crafts (handmade jewelry, tiaras, costume accessories, crafts, mystical items)
- Dan’s Woodworking & Crafts (scroll saw art, wood crafts)
- Janelle Nuzum (jewelry, macramé, wire trees)
- Snazzle Dazzle (custom designer tumblers and cups, car scent freshies)
- Angela McFadden (can koozies, tacpins, keychains, magnets)
- CC’s Custom Gifts (custom t-shirts and cups)
- Loafcraft (mystery boxes, jewelery, spell jars, stickers)
- Let’s Glow Crazy! (LED masks and merchandise, cryptid plushies)
- Tricksy Design Shop (epoxy tumblers, pens, dog accessories)
- R Creations (tumblers, glasses, souvenirs, license plates, puzzles, resin crafts)
- Stretchies & More (Handmade stretch jewelry, painted bricks/slates, dragon items)
- Serpent Bones Carving (CNC-carved Moonville/King Hollow/Mothman wood artwork)
- Sherwin Sketch (cryptid art prints, cards, trinkets)
- Blissfully Blessed 333 (handmade jewelry, blacksmith items, event-themed pieces)
- Zoetic Connections (crystals, figurines, spheres, towers, fossils, handmade jewelry)
- The Makers Loft (handcrafted jewelry made from recycled items, collector spoons, leather belts)
- Whimsical (crystals, handmade jewelry, fossils)
- More to be announced!
At Uncle Buck’s Riding Stable and Dance Barn:
- Lady Buck Saloon (homemade food, craft beer, local wine)
- Dye and the Family Stone (tie dye clothing)
Food and merchandise vendors are needed for Midnight at Moonville! Download a vendor application here:
Vendors may also use festival artwork for creating merchandise: