Downtown Casper Hosts Second Annual Ghost Hunt

Eleven local businesses are participating in a month-long scavenger hunt to drive foot traffic.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bold vector editorial illustration of a small white ghost plushie on a rustic shop counter, evoking a community scavenger hunt. — Eleven downtown Casper businesses are participating in a month-long October ghost hunt scavenger event designed to boost local retail foot traffic. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The second annual Great October Ghost Hunt invites families to visit 11 downtown Casper businesses to find hidden plushies and collect stamps. The event aims to boost local shopping and increase foot traffic throughout the district.

Why it matters

The scavenger hunt provides a structured way to engage the community with downtown shops during the autumn season. By incentivizing visits through a grand prize drawing, organizers hope to sustain retail activity in the area.

A total of 11 local businesses are participating in the ghost hunt, while 30 total visitors will receive gift bags at the reopening of The Dreadful Bookstore.

The players

The Dreadful Bookstore

This local retailer is relocating to 148 E. Midwest Ave. and coordinating its reopening with the conclusion of the citywide ghost hunt.

Chozen Yogurt

This local business is serving as an official distribution site where participants can pick up their event passports.

Bookin' It

This local storefront is acting as a pickup location for residents looking to participate in the scavenger hunt.

The details

Families collect stamps by locating small ghost plushies hidden inside participating shops and receiving small prizes. Completed passports can be submitted for a chance to win the grand prize.

October 29, 2026: Downtown trick-or-treating and the Cauldron Crawl take place.
October 31, 2026: The ghost hunt ends and The Dreadful Bookstore holds its grand reopening.
November 5, 2026: The final deadline to submit completed event passports.
November 6, 2026: The grand prize winner for the ghost hunt will be announced.

Market Landscape

This event follows a pattern set by the National Retail Federation's consumer spending trends for October holiday events by leveraging seasonal themes to drive local traffic. It reflects a growing retail strategy of using localized, experiential marketing to compete with larger e-commerce platforms.

Residents can pick up event passports at local shops to participate in the scavenger hunt and qualify for the grand prize drawing. Shoppers planning to attend the bookstore reopening should arrive early to be among the 30 guests receiving gift bags.

The takeaway

Scavenger hunts offer a practical way for residents to explore local businesses they might otherwise overlook. By participating before the November 5 deadline, families can help support downtown retailers while competing for local rewards.