DRIFTLESS - The air is crisp, the autumn sun golden, frost is beginning to settle into the valleys, and it is almost time for one of the most fun holidays of the year–Halloween.
There’s lots of local fun on tap for the beloved holiday this year, from good old trick-or-treating, to parties, haunted houses and hikes, and celebrations.
Since we went to press last week, a few more events of interest have popped up and have been added to this listing.
Gays Mills
• Trick-or-treat hours in the Village of Gays Mills have been established as Sunday, October 31, from 4-7 p.m.
• Friends of Gays Mills will offer a Halloween Party at the ‘Old Community Building’ at 212 Main Street in Gays Mills on Sunday, Oct. 31, from 4 to 8 p.m. There will be music, crafts and delightfully scary food. A free will donation to the Friends of Gays Mills is asked.
Soldiers Grove
• Trick-or-treat hours in the Village of Soldiers Grove have been established as Sunday, October 31, from 4 to 7 p.m.
• The Old Oak Inn will offer ‘The Himley Mansion Haunted House & All Hallows Eve Bash on Saturday, Oct. 30. All houses hold secrets, some eerie and sinister! Join them for a haunted house tour. Costumes are welcome, with a $25 prize for the best costume! Judging will take place at 10 p.m. Andreas Transo and Matt Shortridge will provide entertainment, with wonderful music, banter, a little spooning, and stories from the Old Country from 8-10 p.m. There will also be appetizers and specialty drinks, with a $10 cover charge. This is an adult event, so no one under the age of 18 should attend.
Mt. Sterling
• The Mt. Sterling/Utica Lutheran Churches will once again off their ‘Halloween Trunk-n-Treat’ on Sunday, Oct. 31, from 3:30 to5:30 p.m., in the Mt. Sterling Church parking lot. It is advertised as “scary, but not too scary.”
North Crawford
• North Crawford will host a ‘Haunted Walk’ on October 22 and 23, from 5-8 p.m. The walk is open to the public, and will feature different ‘scare levels.’ A free will donation is requested, with proceeds going to the Food-4-Kids program
Prairie du Chien
• Trick-or-Treat hours in the City of Prairie du Chien will be on October 31, 2021 from 5 to 8 p.m.
• Downtown trick-or-treating in the City of Prairie du Chien will take place on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 1-3 p.m., with over 30 businesses on Blackhawk Avenue participating – watch for Jack O’Lanterns in the windows of participating storefronts.
• Prairie du Chien Parks & Recreation Department is offering a Halloween Potluck Party at Hoffman Hall on Thursday, Oct. 28, beginning at noon. It is open to all ages, but costumes are required. Hoffman Hall will provide beverages, but participants are asked to bring a ghoulish dish to pass. Prizes will be awarded for the most original, scariest and goofiest costumes.
• Halls of Terror on St. Feriole Island is back this year, after a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The haunted house is open seven nights in 2021, starting on Friday, Oct. 15, and running through Halloween night, from 6 to 9 p.m.
• The Fort Crawford Museum will offer ‘Spirits of Fort Crawford on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 6-8 p.m. ,’ where participants can visit spirits from the Prairie du Chien area including a nurse, soldiers and notable citizens. Treats and tours will be offered. Cost of the tour is $10 per person – call 608-326-6960 to make a reservation.
Readstown
Trick-or-treating in Readstown will take place on Sunday, Oct.31, from 3-6 p.m.
Viroqua
• Downtown trick-or-treat hours in the City of Viroqua will be on Friday, Oct. 29, from 3 to 5 p.m., followed by community trick-or-treat starting at 5 p.m.
• Friends of Vernon County Parks and Forests will offer pumpkin painting at Sidie Hollow County Park on Saturday, Oct. 30, with painting at 2 p.m. and a guided hike at 3 p.m.
Norskedalen
• Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center in rural Coon Valley will once again offer ‘Ghoulees in the Coulees’ event, with ‘Ghosts and Toasts’ on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Among the local beers featured will be Driftless Brewing Company Beers. Participants can take a walk on the Jack O’Lantern trail, and enjoy the rest of the evening sampling craft beers and listening to live music. The cost is $35 per ticket, and reservations are required.
Muscoda
• Tiny Acres Farms is offering their first annual trick-or-treat with barn animals – ‘Boo at the Barn.’ The event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 31, from 2 to 4:30 p.m., and admission is free and open to the public. The farm is located at 26068 County E, in rural Muscoda.
