Who You Gonna Call? Ghostbusters Come to Canonsburg

PHOTO COURTESY OF GRANDPA JOE’S CANDY SHOP

There’s something strange in the neighborhood.

In this case, that “something” is the Steel City Ghostbusters, and the neighborhood is Canonsburg.

On Oct. 16-17, Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop is bringing Canonsburg Ghostbusters Weekend to downtown Canonsburg. Featuring the Steel City Ghostbusters, the family-friendly event will include costumed characters, a scavenger hunt and a movie replica Ecto-1 car, “giving visitors a chance to see one of the most recognizable vehicles in pop culture up close,” according to a press release.

“We saw what happened when we brought the ducks to Canonsburg. People showed up, families had fun and there was this incredible energy throughout town,” says Christopher J. Beers, founder and CEO of Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop. 

The business owner is referencing the guerrilla marketing stunt orchestrated by Grandpa Joe’s last year, during which thousands of rubber ducks were rolled out around town over the course of four “phases,” gradually increasing in size. The grand finale saw nearly a dozen 14-foot to 20-foot-tall inflatable rubber ducks perched on downtown Canonsburg rooftops.

“We wanted to create that feeling again, but go even bigger with Ghostbusters Weekend,” Beers adds. “There is going to be so much happening throughout downtown, and we have a few surprises planned that you’re just going to have to come to Canonsburg to see.”

The festivities will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 16 and from 2 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 17. In addition to the themed activities and appearances — and a few yet-unveiled surprises — participating merchants will also be offering specials and discounts during the event.

The event builds on Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop’s growing lineup of experiential events designed to bring families into downtown Canonsburg and “create memorable reasons to explore the community,” according to a press release. The shop, which offers a range of unique gifts, an extensive collection of candies and international treats, opened its first location in Pittsburgh in May of 2012 and has since grown to have 23 locations across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, West Virginia, Minnesota and Texas.

“We love creating things that make people say, ‘We have to go see that,’” Beers says. “This is about bringing people together and creating a really fun experience right here in Canonsburg. Come downtown, bring the kids, take pictures, do the scavenger hunt, check out the car and see what surprises we have in store. There’s going to be something happening everywhere you look.”