By Chris Spangler
Halloween is near, and Fort Atkinson-area residents can celebrate that haunted holiday in a variety of ways.
The following outlines trick-or-treating hours and other Halloween-related activities throughout greater Jefferson County.
Fort Atkinson
• Trick-or-treating will take place in Fort Atkinson from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31.
• Trunk-or-Treat will be held at Jones Park from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31.
Individuals and organizations will be distributing candy to costumed attendees. There also will be concessions sponsored by the Fort Atkinson Generals and music.
Police and fire personnel will on hand.
Attendees are asked to park their vehicles in the parking lot near Jamesway Avenue, across the street from Jones Dairy Farm.
In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the Fort Atkinson High School commons.
• The Dwight Foster Public Library will be hosting a jack-o-lantern contest for children and adults.
Participants should bring their jack-o-lantern to the Fort Atkinson library anytime on Monday, Oct. 25. Judging will be done Tuesday and winners in each division will be notified Wednesday, Oct. 27.
Prizes will be awarded.
All pumpkins must be picked up by 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28.
• St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School have slated a walk-up or drive-through Trunk-or-Treat from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31.
It will take place in the lower parking lot in front of St. Paul’s Daycare Center and feature a free raffle for prizes and children’s activities.
There is no cost, but attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable items for the Fort Atkinson Food Pantry.
• The Friends of Haumerson’s Pond is holding its Haunted Halloween Hike Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22 and 23.
From 6 to 9 p.m., the family-friendly event will take place at the Haumerson’s Pond warminghouse and Bark River Nature Park trails, located at 550 N. Fourth St. East in Fort Atkinson.
A donation of at least $2 per person is suggested.
Along with the traditional Haunted Trail, there will be a kid-friendly trail, children’s craft table, fortune teller and bonfire. Food and hot beverages will be available for purchase.
People are asked to park on South Fourth Street and in the middle school parking lot. Parking will be prohibited on Zida Street.
• First United Methodist Church has planned a Trunk-or-Treat from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31. In its lower parking lot, there will be a hot drink station, pumpkin decorating and cars for trunk-or-treaters to visit.
Jefferson
• The City of Jefferson has scheduled trick-or-treating from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30
• The Jefferson Chamber of Commerce will hold its first-ever Boo Bash from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20.
Trick-or-treaters may visit businesses displaying Boo Bash window signs.
Persons are invited to stop at the chamber of commerce tent and more businesses in the Firehouse Alley parking lot for additional fun.
The first 250 children in costume will receive a free trick-or-treat bag.
Those who bring in a nonperishable food item for the Jefferson Food Pantry will receive candy.
• The Humane Society of Jefferson County will host a Trunk-or-Treat and music outdoors from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. This is for humans only, as costumes can be scary for pets.
There is no cost to attend; however, guests are urged to give a cash donation or items on the shelter’s wish list.
Whitewater
• Whitewater will hold trick-or-treating Sunday, Oct. 31, from 4 to 7 p.m.
• The Whitewater Chamber of Commerce is holding Ghouls Night Out from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, in downtown Whitewater.
Activities include a Trunk-or-Treat, costume contest, bounce house, crafts, games, spooky stories, a scavenger hunt and lots of treats.
• The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library in Whitewater will feature local author Leann Schwandt Lehner on Friday, Oct. 29.
“Spooky Storytime,” will be held outdoors at 11 a.m., at which time Schwandt Lehner will read her book, “The Twelve Days of Halloween.”
Copies of the book will be available for sale and the library will be offering “goodie bags to go.”
Attendees are encouraged to wear a costume.
• Hauntingly intriguing might define many of the pieces found this month at the Whitewater Arts Alliance.
A collaboration between the Whitewater Arts Alliance and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the show features eight area artists and, collectively, 21 pieces of their work.
The show is on display to the end of October both virtually and at the Cultural Arts Center gallery, 402 W. Main St., Friday through Sunday, from 2 to 4 p.m. Those interested in viewing the show virtually can visit the art alliance website: whitewaterarts.org.
The public is asked to wear masks when visiting the Cultural Arts Center regardless of vaccination status.
• Whitewater Family Church will present its Game On! Halloween Maze from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31.
The public is invited to enjoy the indoor board game-themed maze, games, hot drinks, popcorn and candy.
Attendees are asked to follow CDC guidelines and COVID-19 precautions.
The church is located at 1540 W. Walworth Ave.
• Halloween Bingo for seniors takes place from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Whitewater.
Bingo will be played upstairs in Berry Hall. Snacks will be served.
Attendees may wear a costume or come as they are.
Milton
• The Milton Public Library will hold a Halloween Storywalk from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25, at Crossridge Park.
• Trick-or-treating in Milton is slated for 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31.
Palmyra
• Trick-or-treating will take place in Palmyra from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30.
A Halloween parade will be held at 3:30 p.m. Participants should line up at the fire department.
Johnson Creek
Trick-or-treating in the Village of Johnson Creek is slated for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31.
Lake Mills
• Lake Mills’ Witches Night Out will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27. Costumed youngsters are invited to trick-or-treat at participating downtown businesses.
Cambridge
• Cambridge will hold a Halloween parade and Trick-or-Treating Trail from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 23, at Veterans Park.
Children of all ages and their families are invited to show off their Halloween costumes in the parade around the park, which will be followed by trick-or-treating at downtown Cambridge businesses.
Parade participants should meet in the parking lot behind Badger Bank at 9:45 a.m. to line up to walk in the 10 a.m. parade.
• A Halloween party is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, at the Cambridge Youth Center, 211 South St.
Ixonia
Trick-or-treating takes place from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, in the Town of Ixonia.
Waterloo
• Trick-or-treating in Waterloo is set for Sunday, Oct. 24, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Watertown
• Watertown will hold trick-or-treating Saturday, Oct. 30, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Above two photos: In keeping with the spirit of Halloween, these friendly ghouls wave to the neighbors from their vantage point near the corner of Robert and Taft streets. Chris Spangler photos.
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