Following Halloween Loop gunfire, this weekend's Ugly Sweater Crawl in Wilmington is on
Six weeks after gunshots rang out at Kelly's Logan House during Wilmington's Halloween Loop, Loop series organizers are hosting their next event this weekend: the Ugly Sweater Crawl.
It will be the first Loop event since the 39th annual Halloween Loop ended in late October with the arrest of a New Castle man, accused of firing a gun on the front patio of the Logan House during the costumed bar crawl.
The organizers of the Loop series -- Out & About magazine -- say they never considered canceling the annual Christmas bar crawl, which has morphed from a Santa-themed event to one that asks participants to wear ugly Christmas sweaters.
"This was always a go," Jerry DuPhily, Loop organizer and publisher of Out & About, says of the Ugly Sweater Crawl.
RELATED: He was inches away from the gunfire at the Logan House as the Halloween Loop ended
All 10 bars that were originally signed up to participate in the Ugly Sweater Crawl are still on board, including the Logan House.
The event starts Friday, 8 p.m. at Catherine Rooney’s, Chelsea Tavern, Dead Presidents, Ernest & Scott, Gallucio’s, Grotto Pizza, Kelly’s Logan House, Timothy’s Riverfront, Trolley Square Oyster House and Trolley Tap House.
It costs $5 to enter any of the clubs, but there's no cover if you wear an ugly Christmas sweater or Santa hat.
Even though the Logan House is on the Ugly Sweater Crawl, the historic bar and restaurant immediately pulled out of future Halloween Loops following the gun incident, which occurred in the early morning hours of Oct 28.
Joe Mujica, Logan House's general manager, says, the bar is participating because the Ugly Sweater Crawl is traditionally a calmer event that benefits the Wilmington Children's Chorus.
"It's hard to say no to helping out a charity," Mujica says.
A meeting between Loop organizers, city officials and police about the future of the popular Halloween bar crawl is expected to happen after the new year.
"Fortunately we have a lot of time between now and Halloween," DuPhily says.
And while he's not 100 percent sure the Halloween Loop will reach its 40th anniversary next year, it seems likely.
"People value the Halloween Loop tradition and what it means to the city, showcasing the nightlife that we have," he says. "There aren't many nightlife traditions in this state that has 40 years of history, so you certainly don't walk away from something like that quickly."
DuPhily says he looks forward to examining the event with city officials, ready to do whatever he can to enhance security after hearing new recommendations from Wilmington Police.
"There isn't any intention of canceling it right now," he adds. "Nobody is thinking we can't do a Halloween celebration in the city anymore."
Even though the meeting hasn't happened yet, Wilmington Mayor Michael Purzycki signaled support of the Halloween Loop's continuation through a statement by his deputy chief of staff for policy and communications John Rago immediately following the incident.
“It is very disturbing that one person’s actions can cast doubts on the future of an annual event that has been as popular, well-attended and non-eventful as this one," Rago stated. "However, what happened over the weekend gives everyone a chance to review the circumstances and determine the best way to move forward."
Police say that one person is 25-year-old Tyler Vega of New Castle -- the man arrested at the Logan House in connection with the gunfire.
Vega remains imprisoned in Wilmington's Howard Young Correctional Institute on $100,000 cash bail after being peppered with an array of gun charges. He was ordered to have no contact with alleged victims and stay at least five blocks away from Trolley Square if he makes bail.
His charges include possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, possession of a weapon with an obliterated serial number, reckless endangering first degree, receiving a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm while under the influence.
Vega's trial date has not yet been set.
Video of the incident shows Logan House bouncers trying to control a brawl that had broken out on the patio when three shots were fired, sending costumed revelers scrambling.
An off-duty former Logan House bouncer who just happened to be on the patio at the time is seen immediately running up to Vega and subduing him with the help of other bouncers in the video.
"It was a scary, tragic thing," DuPhily says. "The silver lining is that nobody got hurt."
Contact Ryan Cormier of The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier), Twitter (@ryancormier) and Instagram (@ryancormier).
IF YOU GO
What: Ugly Sweater Crawl
When: Friday, 8 p.m.
Where: Ten participating bars including Catherine Rooney’s, Chelsea Tavern, Dead Presidents, Ernest & Scott, Gallucio’s, Grotto Pizza, Kelly’s Logan House, Timothy’s Riverfront, Trolley Square Oyster House and Trolley Tap House.
Cost: $5. No cover if you wear an ugly Christmas sweater or Santa hat. Cover proceeds go to the Wilmington Children's Chorus.