CANCELED: [Cancelled] HAUNTED VEX U Robotics Competition Signature Event

Agenda

SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Last updated: August 1, 2025

Sunday, October 26th

Times are in CST and are subject to change as we get closer to the event.

• 7:30 – Doors Open   |   Check-In and Inspection Begin   |   Skills Opens
• 9:45 – Check-In & Inspection Closes   |   Driver's Meeting
• 10:00 – Qualifications Begin
• 12:00 to 1:00 – Lunch Break
• 1:00 to 2:30 – Qualification Matches & Skills Resume
• 2:45 to 4:00 – Eliminations
• 4:00 – Awards

Volunteer

Volunteers are essential to a successful tournament. Please consider volunteering for our High School event in the two days before - we are going to be offering discounts to teams who provide volunteers for Friday and Saturday of the High School event. There are volunteer positions available at all levels of experience.

Volunteer sign up links will be available closer to the event.

Emergency/Bad Weather Policy

In the event of bad weather, updates will be made via email.

Refund and Payment Policies

If the Event Partner cancels the event: 

Refunds will only be made if the event is canceled. Refunds will not include the $10 processing fee assessed by Robot Events for processing.

If a Coach/Mentor completes registration for the event and then chooses to withdraw or not attend:

Registrations will not be refunded for teams that register but choose not to come. 

Payment is required to be submitted by September 26th. Any teams added after September 26th will have one week from their registration date to complete payment. If you need special payment accomidations, please email [email protected] 

Date: 26-Oct-2025

Travel Info

How to Get to Owensboro, KY
Owensboro is located in western Kentucky along the scenic Ohio River. It's well connected by road and air, making it very accessible.

Drive Times from Major Cities
Owensboro is within a manageable drive from several major cities:

• Louisville, KY – 1 hour 45 minutes (107 miles)
• Nashville, TN – 2 hours (123 miles)
• St. Louis, MO – 3.5 hours (217 miles)
• Indianapolis, IN – 3 hours (181 miles)
• Evansville, IN – 45 minutes (42 miles)
• Cincinnati, OH – 3 hours 15 minutes (186 miles)

Airport Options
Owensboro is served by a regional airport and is also close to several major international airports:

• Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport (OWB)
  Offers daily commercial flights (primarily to Chicago O'Hare via Contour Airlines) and private charters. A great option for regional travelers or those connecting through a hub.
• Evansville Regional Airport (EVV) – 45 minutes away
  Offers more flight options including direct routes to Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, and more.
• Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) – 1 hour 45 minutes
  A full-service international airport with major carriers and a wide selection of domestic and international flights.
• Nashville International Airport (BNA) – 2 hours
  Ideal for travelers seeking competitive pricing or international routes, with dozens of direct flights across the U.S. and abroad.

What to Do in Owensboro

• Volunteer at the High School event - think if it as recruitment for your 2026-2027 VEXU team!
• Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum – Dive into Kentucky’s musical roots with exhibits, live performances, and educational experiences.
• Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn – A legendary stop for slow-smoked mutton, pork, and burgoo, a regional stew unique to western Kentucky.
• Smothers Park – Voted one of the best riverfront parks in America, featuring fountains, playgrounds, and walking trails.
• Western Kentucky Botanical Garden – Perfect for a peaceful stroll through themed gardens and seasonal blooms.

Where to Stay
We're partnering with Visit Owensboro to secure hotel room blocks at five conveniently located hotels. Click on the "Hotel Bookings" tab for details.

For more details about the area, visit: visitowensboro.com

Webcast

Follow our YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/@hauntedsignature

Livestream Link - TBD

Judging Format

All In-Person Judging - The Team Interviews and Engineering Notebooks will be judged in person during the event.

• All teams will receive at least one interview in the pit. 
• ALL notebooks Deadlines to be announced

Signature Event Early Bird Policy

1. All Signature Events will have a specific Early Bird Registration that is independent of all local/regional Early Bird systems.

2. Each team starts the season with three (3) opportunities to register during the Signature Event Early-Bird period.

3. A Signature Event Early-Bird opportunity is not taken away if a team registers for a tournament hosted by their school or organization (where the team’s coach is the Event Partner).

4. If a team registers during the Standard Registration period, a token is not taken away.

5. The official Signature Event Early Bird policy can be found in the RECF Library.

6. To find out how many Signature Event Early Bird tokens your team(s) have remaining, select the "My Teams" option in RobotEvents.

Social Media

Instagram

• HAUNTED Signature (@hauntedsignature) • Instagram photos and videos

Discord

• ​https://discord.gg/zkFHjGXHAJ

YouTube

• https://www.youtube.com/@hauntedsignature

Evening Fun at Holiday World

This year, Holiday World is thrilled to welcome teams from the VEX Robotics Competition Signature Event HAUNTED, held just a short drive away from the Owensboro Convention Center in Owensboro, Kentucky. After daily robotics matches conclude, teams are encouraged to make the easy evening trip to Holiday World to enjoy exclusive Halloween-themed entertainment and unwind with fellow competitors.

Holiday World (HolidayWorld.com) in Santa Claus, Indiana, transforms into a festive, family-friendly Halloween destination during its annual Happy Halloween Weekends, running from late September through late October. This seasonal event blends the park's beloved rides with a variety of Halloween-themed attractions, ensuring fun for guests of all ages.

Evening Thrills & Entertainment for Teams

• All rides remain open, including fan favorites like:
  • The Raven, The Legend, The Voyage, Thunderbird, Good Gravy!, and Gobbler Getaway
     
• Happy Halloween Attractions
  • Kitty’s 3D Candy Farm: A colorful, non-scary walkthrough experience
  • SCAREbnb: A silly spooky funhouse
  • Corn Maze, 3D Adventures, and Carnival Chaos: Perfect for team bonding and fun after a long competition day
     
• Special Evening Shows
  • Halloween in the Sky Drone Show: Every Saturday night, over 400 illuminated drones fill the sky in a stunning Halloween-themed display.
  • HAUNTED Team Nights: Teams visiting from the VEX event can enjoy additional surprises and entertainment in the park after matches wrap up.
• Event Info
  • Costumes: Teams and guests may wear family-appropriate costumes (no full-face masks or weapon props)
  • Tickets: Available online at HolidayWorld.com, and we'll soon be posting a link for discounted tickets!

This collaboration between HAUNTED and Holiday World gives robotics teams the chance to cap off their competition days with thrilling rides, spooky fun, and a one-of-a-kind Halloween celebration. It's the perfect blend of brains and thrills!

Hotel Bookings

Teams are not required to stay at specific hotels, but we have secured discounted room rates at the link below:

https://linktr.ee/ROBOTICSHAUNTED

Discount Tickets to Holiday World

Holiday World has extended special ticket pricing for our competitors!

Saturday, 10/25 at $29.99 per person
Park Hours: 11:00 to 10:00 CT

Sunday, 10/26 at $29.99 per person
Park Hours: 11:00 to 6:00 CT

The link to purchase tickets will be posted soon! Stay tuned.

Waitlist

0 teams are on the waitlist for this event.