Halloween in Door County: Here's your kids' parties, events and trick-or-treat times
DOOR COUNTY - Costume up, get treats.
It's Halloween this coming week, with all the parties, special events and trick-or-treating for kids — and adults and pets — dressed as superheroes, athletes, celebrities, animals, monsters and other characters across Door County. Here's a quick look at area Halloween events and trick-or-treat times.
Halloween at the Y
Both Door County YMCA locations — in Sturgeon Bay and Fish Creek — hold family-friendly Halloween parties from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27.
Children and their families are encouraged to come in costume — a costume contest is taking place — and play carnival games, jump around in a bounce house, take part in craft projects, get their faces painted and snack on treats. Police and fire departments and the U.S. Coast Guard station will have displays at the Sturgeon Bay party.
The Kane Center is at 3866 Gibraltar Road (at State 42), Fish Creek; the Sturgeon Bay center is 1900 Michigan St. (at State 42/57). Admission to either party is $5 per child, whether or not they're Y members, but preregistration is required. To register or for more information, call 920-743-4949 or visit doorcountyymca.org.
Jack O’Lantern Days and Haunted Trail
Halloween festivities take place across Fish Creek for the annual Jack O’Lantern Days, which the sponsoring Fish Creek Civic Association says "puts the 'eek' in Fish Creek."
Jack O’Lantern Days takes place throughout the day Saturday, Oct. 28. It starts when kids ages 3 to 17 can make their own Halloween masks from 9 a.m. to noon during a Family Art Day at the Peninsula School of Art, 3900 County F. Supplies are provided and there is no charge to take part.
A Halloween Costume March for children, adults and pets heads through the village downtown at 1 p.m., starting and ending at Clark Park, on the waterfront at Spruce and Maple streets. Parade participants should be on site 10 to 15 minutes before the start.
Immediately after the parade, a costume contest for children, adults and pets takes place at the park, with a Kids' Halloween Party with games and more also at the park from 1 to 4 p.m.
Also from 1 to 4 p.m., trick-or-treating will take place at participating businesses throughout the village.
To get your after-dark Halloween frights, the Fish Creek Haunted Trail opens from 6 to 8 p.m. at Fish Creek Park.
The dark, wooded, haunting 1/8-mile walk starts from the town public parking lot (behind Hat Head) and winds through the trails and bridges of the park with actors providing scares along the way. It ends at the park gazebo, where the Gibraltar Booster Club will have a concession stand with hot beverages, hot dogs, popcorn and more. The trail is not recommended for ages 5 and younger. A donation to the booster club of $5 per person or $10 for families is suggested for admission.
Other events take place throughout the day, with a glass pumpkin hunt at sunrise at Burnt Bluff Stone & Glass, an open house at the Gibraltar Fire Station from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., an interactive raptor exhibit with birds from Open Door Bird Sanctuary from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Founder's Square, and a magic show by David Watkins from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Old Town Hall.
For more information on Jack O’Lantern Days, call 920-868-2316 or visit visitfishcreek.com.
Thrills & Chills
Another community Halloween party taking place Saturday, Oct. 28 is Destination Sturgeon Bay's "Thrills & Chills" with events throughout the downtown East and West Sides.
The festivities start with the annual Kids Costume Parade at 10 a.m., led out by the Sturgeon Bay Fire Department from the clock tower at North Third Avenue and Kentucky Street, heading down North and South Third avenues to Martin Park. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes. Costumed children and their families who are interested in participating should meet at the tower around 9:45 a.m.
Following the parade, Martin Park will host inflatable games for children and live music until 1 p.m.
Also after the parade, trick-or-treating at participating businesses on both the East Side and West Side, which will display a “Thrills & Chills” window decal, will run until 1 p.m.
On the West Side, Bay Shore Outfitters will offer pumpkin carving from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Kitty O’Reilly’s Irish Pub hosts a Kids Costume Dance Party from 1 to 3 p.m.
On the East Side, the Boys & Girls Club of Door County, 55 S. Third Ave., holds its annual Haunted House and Grills For Thrills fundraiser with burgers, hot dogs, beverages from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. And, the Door County Library, 107 S. Fourth Ave., will offer a variety of Halloween crafts and movies for children from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Finally, as part of the Halloween season, Destination Sturgeon Bay is holding its Spook-tacular Sturgeon Bay Scavenger Hunt. Participants can pick up a hunt map through Oct. 31 at the Destination Sturgeon Bay Welcome Center, 36 S. Third Ave., visit all the stops and drop off the completed map for a chance to win a Sturgeon Bay-themed prize.
For more information, call 920-743-6246 or visit sturgeonbay.net.
An historic Halloween, with carved turnips
For a very unique way to celebrate, the Door County Historical Society holds "Historic Spooks and Sprites," a family-friendly event from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, that leads guests on a journey through the history of Halloween and its traditions with not just treats but also fun, educational hands-on activities.
Guests can make their own historic-type Halloween crafts throughout the event, with all materials provided to create unique, spooky decorations. These include a station where they can create Victorian-style optical illusions and a chance to carve their own turnips, which the ancient people of the British Isles did to ward off evil spirits in a tradition that continued into All Hallows Eve celebrations in Ireland and other Celtic regions into the early 20th century.
A selection of vintage candies will be available for kids to experience the sweetness of Halloween traditions from years gone by.
Presentations will be given at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. on the history of Halloween, exploring the origins and evolution of the holiday and its transformation over the centuries.
Historic Spooks and Sprites takes place at Heritage Village at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay. Admission is free although donations are accepted. For more information, call 920-421-2332 or visit doorcountyhistoricalsociety.org.
The Ridges' Halloween Hike
The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor will host its annual Halloween Hike from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28.
Special Halloween-themed stations that highlight the Ridges' creepy critters and spooky sights will be placed along its Hidden Brook Boardwalk, which is ADA-compliant and wheelchair accessible. Hikers can learn about Door County’s bats, spiders, carnivorous plants and more as they meander down the path, and those who make it to the Upper Range Light should prepare themselves for a ghostly encounter.
The event is appropriate for families of all ages. Flashlights will be provided for the hike and costumes are encouraged.
Founded in 1937 as Wisconsin’s first land trust, the Nature Center at The Ridges Sanctuary is at 8166 State 57, Baileys Harbor. Admission for the Halloween Hike is $8 for adults, $5 for children and Ridges members. Hikers can preregister at the event website or pay at the door. For more information, call 920-839-2802 or visit ridgessanctuary.org/event/halloween-hike.
Trick-or-Treat Petting Zoo
DENN gifts and antiques shop and creative market, the only business building built from shipping containers in Door County, invites kids and adults to come in costume for its annual Trick-or-Treat Petting Zoo from 10 a.m. to noon (or until the candy is gone) Sunday, Oct. 29.
Guests can get up close with animals in Halloween costumes from Wilson’s Wish Animal Sanctuary, including a goat with a wheelchair, and track down treats at candy stations around the large property. Other children's activities will be available. Costumes are encouraged but not required.
In keeping with the seasonal spirit, DENN also has what is believed the only outdoor escape room in the Midwest (it's the last day it is open this season), a 12-acre corn maze with 11 games inside that determine your path, and a pumpkin patch. There is an admission charge for the escape room and maze, and guests should wear appropriate footwear and dress for the weather. Mauricio's food truck will be on hand with Mexican food until 3 p.m.
DENN is at 2050 County DK, south of Sturgeon Bay. For more information, call 920-335-0020 or visit dennshop.com.
Ghost Ship
The U.S. Coast Guard's Sturgeon Bay station presents its annual Ghost Ship, with local Coast Guard members creating haunted rooms on its cutter Mobile Bay that guests will need to pass through.
The Ghost Ship will be open Tuesday, Oct. 31. Times are from 5 to 6 p.m. for a lighter fright for younger children, 6 to 8 p.m. for the big scares for older kids and adults. The boat will be docked at the pier at Sawyer Park, just south of the Maple-Oregon Bridge in Sturgeon Bay. Admission is free, although donations of nonperishable food items for local food banks are appreciated; last year's Ghost Ship received more than 600 pounds of food donations. Parental guidance is required for ages 12 and younger; hot chocolate and candy will be available on the pier.
For more information, call 920-743-2646.
Community Halloween parties for kids
A number of other communities in Door County host special Halloween parties for children and families.
The Egg Harbor Business Association sponsors its annual Halloween Safe Walk from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. Children can trick-or-treat at participating businesses in the village, which will be indicated by signs in their windows. For a list of businesses or more information, call 920-868-3717 or visit eggharbordoorcounty.org.
The Sister Bay Lions Club holds its annual post-trick-or-treat Halloween party with face painting, games, prizes and cookies from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Sister Bay-Liberty Grove Fire Station, Mill Road. It's the longest-running community event for the local club, which held its first one in 1952. For more information, call 262-617-8158.
While trick-or-treating is going on, the Baileys Harbor Community Association holds its annual Halloween Fun party for little ghosts, ghouls and other costumed creatures from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31. The party includes games, prizes, fresh local cider, Halloween cookies and pictures with witches, all at the Toft House, 8061 State 57. For more information, call 920-839-2366 or visit baileysharbor.com.
Kids in far northern Door County can trick-or-treat from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31 at "Let the Ghoul Times Roll," a Halloween party at The Vault popcorn and treats shop, 12046 State 42, Ellison Bay. Halloween games with prizes will be held. For more information, call 920-854-3130.
The community is invited as Hope United Church of Christ hosts its annual Halloween Pizza Party from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31. Guests of all ages can relax with pizza, apple slices from Fellner's Orchard, lemonade and activities. Costumes are encouraged.
Hope Church is at 141 S. 12th Ave., Sturgeon Bay. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. For more information, call 920-743-2701 or visit the "Hope UCC Sturgeon Bay" Facebook page.
Scary trolley rides
Door County Trolley offers several different spooky tours throughout the season.
It offers Ghost Tours aboard the "Trolley of the Doomed" at 6 p.m. from Oct. 23 to 25. Oct. 29 to 31 and Nov. 4 – the Oct. 26 to 28 tours are sold out – and a Murder & Mayhem Tour at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 23, 25, 28 and Nov. 4 (ages younger than 9 not allowed). The Haunted Pub Crawl is sold out for the season.
Tours depart from the trolley station, 8030 State 42, one mile north of Egg Harbor. Seating is limited and reservations are strongly recommended. For prices and reservations, visit doorcountytrolley.com and click on "Tours" at the top of the homepage; for more information, call 920-868-1100.
Trick-or-treat times
Following are the official community trick-or-treat hours in Door County. Treats distributors should turn on their porch lights to let people know they're handing out goodies.
Jacksonport: 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31
Sister Bay: 3:30 p.m. to dusk Oct. 31
Forestville: 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31
Sturgeon Bay: 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31
Baileys Harbor: 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31
Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or cclough@doorcountyadvocate.com.
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This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Here's your Halloween events and trick-or-treat times in Door County
