As part of our Downtown Romeo Attraction Strategy, we developed a unifying theme to promote the charm and history of our beloved community: “Return to Romeo.” It’s a call to return to timeless traditions, to heart and home, to warm smiles and open doors, to everything simple and kind. Our kickoff event, Witches & Warlocks: Return to Romeo, launches this new campaign. Strategically scheduled alongside the already iconic Tillson Street experience, the event is designed to draw those visitors into the heart of downtown.
To further expand our reach, we’ve introduced a World Record attempt, curated to attract guests from neighboring communities and beyond; encouraging them to linger, explore, and make a full day of their visit to Downtown Romeo.
Terror on Tilson Street
Tillson Street in Romeo, Michigan, is part of the village’s Historic District, known for its well-preserved Victorian and Gothic Revival homes dating back to the mid-19th century. Originally a quiet residential street that reflected Romeo’s 1800s growth as a lumber town, it later became famous for its elaborate Halloween displays. According to HOUR Detroit Magazine, the tradition began when resident Vicki Lee, whose birthday falls on Halloween, decorated her home and inspired neighbors to join in. Over the years, what started as a small neighborhood activity grew into “Terror on Tillson Street,” transforming the block into a month-long Halloween attraction with intricate handmade themes ranging from haunted houses to pirate ships to circus clowns to western saloons. The event is entirely resident-organized, open to the public, and attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year.
Today, “Terror on Tillson” is as much about community as it is about Halloween. Neighbors collaborate on set design, animatronics, and props, working together to outdo previous years while keeping the event family-friendly and free. It has also become a charitable effort, with t-shirt sales and donations supporting local scholarships, school programs, athletic fees, the Wounded Warrior Project, and organizations like Kids Kicking Cancer. The combination of historic architecture, creative displays, and a strong sense of neighborhood spirit has made Tillson Street one of Michigan’s most beloved seasonal destinations, drawing visitors from across the state and beyond. Inspired by the residents of Tillson Street, we are planning a spooky event for Downtown.
Witches & Warlocks: Return to Romeo
Currently, the Guinness World Record holder for largest gathering of people dressed like witches is 1607 people, which happened in 2013 in Sort, Spain, on November 16, 2013.
And we want to beat it.
We are calling all witches, warlocks, and magical folk of all kinds to descend upon our charming village for a gathering like no other. On October 25, 2025, from 1 PM to 5 PM, we’ll come together for dance competitions to “Thriller,” broom relays, a magic show, and the grand finale: the Witches & Warlocks gathering from 4:00 to 4:10 PM to break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Witches. To be counted, participants must wear a black pointed hat, a black cloak or dress, and carry a broomstick, whether real or a prop. All ages are welcome, and the event is family-friendly and free to attend.
This enchanting day will be filled with costumes, cauldrons, spellbinding fun, and even drone coverage to capture the magic from above. Whether you want to dress as a witch, warlock, wizard, or something in between, as long as you are in official witch attire (a pointed hat, a cloak, and a broom), you will help us cackle, conjure, and cast our way into history. Follow our Facebook page for updates, sneak peeks, and registration details, and get ready to make your mark in the record books. Witches and warlocks, it is time to return to Romeo!
