YPSILANTI, MI - After a successful first year, Ypsilanti's glow in the dark dance party is returning downtown as Halloween approaches.

WonderFool Productions, the producers of Ann Arbor's FestiFools and FoolMoon events, has teamed up with the Ypsilanti community to host a month of art-making and community workshops leading up to the second Ypsil GLOW event at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 27 along North Washington Street between Pearl Street and Michigan Avenue.

Windows are decorated by regional artists or by owners of the storefronts, event producer Adriana Zardus said, while the downtown block is lit by glow-in-the-dark materials offset by black light stations. The event also features dancing, DJ music, interactive art activities and street performances.

After around a dozen businesses decorated their windows for the inaugural event, Zardus said around 25 business storefronts in the downtown area will glow up with window displays this year.

"We're trying to highlight - pun intended - the best of Ypsi and really have the art bring to life the culture and potential business development downtown," she said.

Zardus said businesses saw the positive impact of having their storefronts exposed during the first event, with one empty storefront eventually being rented out after an intriguing interactive storefront was decorated by artist Oona Goodman.

"Normally that window is dark and people just walk right by it," Zardus said. "After the event, the landlord of the building kept getting calls asking about what was going on in that space. About a month after the event the space had been rented."

Those looking to create their own glow in the dark attire or accessories can do so during During free GLOW drop-in workshops, which are held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 15 and 22 at the Riverside Arts Center.

Those participating in the Ypsi GLOW event should bring their illuminated creations to Cultivate Coffee and Taphouse at 6:15 p.m. on Oct. 27 to join in the processional from Depot Town, through Riverside Park, culminating downtown.

Ypsi GLOW is funded by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, Washtenaw County Convention and Visitors Bureau and a Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs mini grant.