04/14/2026
Like many great ideas, Fright Noise was inspired by something we saw elsewhere. A group in Boerne, Texas created a fun and unforgettable “run” that was perfect for couch potatoes and anyone not interested in a serious competitive 5K. Their Boerne 0.5K was built around fun and raising money for local charity.
After reading about it, I started thinking about how that idea could be adapted into something more meaningful here. The goal was to create an event that would remember those we have lost, celebrate life, and raise money for organizations devoted to mental health awareness and su***de prevention.
At first, we kicked around the logistics. Should it be held in July, around Dwight’s birthday? Could it be called the Clodhopper 0.5K? Or would it make more sense to hold it in October, tying it to the season and to the time when Dwight would DJ as Fright Noise? In the end, October felt right. The weather can be unpredictable, but Dwight loved Halloween, and the name carried the spirit of the event.
The inaugural Fright Noise was held on vacant town property off Broad Street, with New Oberpfalz Brewing serving as our home base. The turnout was strong, the response was positive, and it became clear this was something worth continuing.
Two years ago, we moved the event to Griffith Central Park, giving us more room to grow. The new location has allowed us to expand with vendors, display tables, music, and community participation. Even with that growth, the highlight remains the 0.5K “run.”
Fright Noise is intentionally short and accessible. It does not take up an entire afternoon, but it still creates space for connection, remembrance, laughter, and conversation around mental health and su***de prevention. Most importantly, proceeds continue to support organizations doing meaningful work in those areas.
This year’s Fright Noise will be held on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Griffith Central Park. Pre-race festivities will begin around Noon, with the 0.5K run starting at approximately 1:30 p.m. We look forward to another great day with vendors, mental health organizations sharing resources, musical entertainment, and a community coming together for a purpose that matters.
