Fort, surrounding area gets ready to trick or treat

By Chris Spangler

Halloween is creeping up, 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. 30.

• Trunk-or-Treat will be held at Jones Park from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, 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 be 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 event is being organized by the Fort Atkinson Kiwanis Club.

• The Friends of Haumerson’s Pond organization is holding its Haunted Halloween Hike Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28 and 29.

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. 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.

• At 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, the public is invited to the Haumerson’s Pond warminghouse to carve pumpkins for display at the Haunted Trail during the weekend.

Carvers may take the pumpkin seeds home with them.

• 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. 30.

It will take place in the lower parking lot in front of St. Paul’s Daycare.

There is no cost, but attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable items for the Fort Atkinson Food Pantry.

• The Rockwell Elementary School Parent-Teachers Organization is sponsoring a Halloween party Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The Halloween-themed event will feature music, the Scholastic Book Fair and Rocky Rococo’s pizza.

Jefferson

• The City of Jefferson has scheduled trick-or-treating from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30.

• The Humane Society of Jefferson County will host a Trunk-or-Treat from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. This is for humans only, as costumes can be scary for pets.

There will be crafts and activities on hand.

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 Monday, 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. 27, along the entire Main Street corridor.

Trick-or-treating, games and activities will be taking place at various locations,. 

• The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library in Whitewater has a couple Halloween activities slated this week.

From 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, middle and high school students may create Frankentoys by deconstructing and then reassembling toys to create their own monster using sewing and hot glue. There also will be a Halloween movie and spooky snack.

Then from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, youngsters and teens are invited to put the finishing touches on their costumes by making duct tape accessories.

• The Whitewater Arts Alliance is featuring “Hallow’s Gala” through the end of October. 

The exhibition is on display for in-person viewing at the Whitewater Cultural Arts Center, 402 West Main St., and virtually. It will remain available for in-person viewing until Sunday, Oct. 30.

The exhibition is free and open to the public. 

The exhibition will be available online for virtual viewing from Oct. 29-Nov. 27, and will include exclusive virtual-only pieces.

In addition, the Whitewater Arts Alliance will be holding a Hallow’s Gala reception, Friday, Oct. 28, between 6 and 9 p.m., at the Cultural Arts Center. Reception-goers will find live music and a costume contest, along with the announcement of award winners chosen from within the pool of artists exhibiting work in the Hallow’s Gala exhibition.

Those participating in the costume contest can win prizes, including “Best Adult Costume,” $75, and “Best Kid Costume,” open to children 12 and under, $25.

Participating artists in the exhibition also will win prizes, including “Best of Show,” $150, and “Viewer’s Choice, $50. Those voting for the viewer’s choice recipient may cast one vote each, with all votes tallied at 7:30 p.m.

Winners in both contests will be announced during the reception at 8 p.m.

The cost of an adult ticket to the reception is $8 at the door. Tickets for children ages 5-12 are $2 each. There is no cost of attendance for children under the age of 4.

Attending the reception also is free with the purchase of a black light painting kit. Kits cost $25 each.

To purchase tickets online or learn more about purchasing black light painting kits or costume contest participation, visit: https://www.whitewaterarts.org/hallows-gala-2022.

Milton

• Trick-or-treating in Milton is slated for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31.

• The Milton Public Library will hold a Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead celebration from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Palmyra

• Trick-or-treating will take place in Palmyra from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.

• A Halloween parade will start at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. 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. Monday, Oct. 31.

• A Charity Haunted House is taking place from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28 and 29, at 305 Milwaukee St. in Johnson Creek.

Partnering with the School District of Johnson Creek, the event presented by TNT Terror costs $10 cash per person. All proceeds will go to the Johnson Creek Education Foundation, Johnson Creek Historical Society and Johnson Creek schools.

The haunted house is recommended for ages 12 years and older.

• The Johnson Creek Public Library will hold Halloween storytime at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27. Children may attend in costume if they wish.

Lake Mills

• The City of Lake Mills has no official trick-or-treating time. However, a police spokesperson said traditionally, children go out between 6 and 8 p.m. on Halloween proper, which this year is Monday, Oct. 31.

Cambridge

• Cambridge trick-or treating takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.

• There will be a costume parade and Trick-or-Treating Trail from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 29, at Veterans Park.

Costumed youngsters of all ages should meet in the parking lot behind Badger Bank at 10 a.m. to line up for the 10:15 a.m. parade. That will be followed by trick-or-treating at downtown businesses.

• A Halloween Costume Dance is slated for 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at the Cambridge Area Youth Center, 211 South St.

Ixonia

Trick-or-treating takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, in the Town of Ixonia.

• The Town of Ixonia is hosting a Fall Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, with vendors, Touch a Truck and a costume contest.

Waterloo

• Trick-or-treating in Waterloo is set for Sunday, Oct. 30, from 2 to 5 p.m.

Watertown

• Watertown will hold trick-or-treating Saturday, Oct. 29, from 4 to 7 p.m.  

• Pumpkin Palooza starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at 519 E. Main St.

Event highlights include horse-drawn wagon rides ($3 per person), seasonal store specials, a spooky storytime and Main Street trick-or-treating (1 to 3 p.m.). The Watertown Players will present “Living Statues on Main Street.”