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Posted Oct 29, 2009; 3:57 AM
From haunted houses to parties, have a ghoulish Halloween By Keith Uhlig Wausau Daily Herald
There are haunted houses, Halloween skating parties and ghost tours. There are costume contests, live music and Halloween specials in just about every nightclub, bar and tavern. There are houses decorated to the hilt for the holiday. Once a minor holiday celebrated by kids in Casper and Batman costumes, Halloween has evolved into a full-fledged celebration that brings out people of all ages. Consumers are expected to spend an average of $56.31 on Halloween this year, according to the National Retail Federation. That's down about $10 per person from last year, mostly because of the ragged economy, but total spending is expected to reach $4.75 billion. "My opinion is that it's because it's fun, quite simply it is," said Clint Zoromski, 38, of Tomahawk, the owner of Halloween Express in Wausau. The freedom of Halloween, the wide open interpretation of the holiday appeals to Zoromski. "You put a lot of effort into a costume," he said, "or you can make it simple." Mary Hoffmann, 48, of Wausau has loved Halloween since she was a kid. She was the middle sister, "caught between the princess and the prom queen," Hoffmann said. "The only interests that weren't used yet were monsters." Hoffmann's Wausau home is filled to the gills with spooky Halloween items such as a casket, a life-sized vampire and "I don't know how many skeletons I have," she said. "There's always the scary stuff. Scary stuff is great as long as you know you are safe," Hoffmann said. Northcentral Wisconsin will be filled with scary stuff for young and old alike this weekend. Here's a list of some: What: St. Therese Catholic Church Holiday Party When: 6 p.m. to Where: St. Therese School Building, 112 W. Kort St., Schofield Cost: Free Contact: 359-8621 More info: Party is open to all youths from seventh-grade through high school. Wear your best costume, but remember this is hosted by a church, so dress appropriately. Prizes will go to the most elaborate, funniest and creepiest costumes. What: Fright Nights at Pride Manor's Haunted Graveyard When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. to Where: Corner of Merrill Avenue and Tomahawk Avenue in Tomahawk Contact: 715-453-5334 What: "Trauma" haunted house When: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday Where: IROW warehouse at the intersection of McIntosh and Bellis streets Cost: $7, $3 gets another trip through More info: The Wausau Area Jaycees organize this hospital-themed haunted house. Contact: 842-2688 What: Galloway Haunted House When: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday Where: 1600 Highway 49, Galloway Cost: $5 More info: This is Galloway's sixth annual haunted house. Everyone receives candy, and there will be a drawing for a signed Packers football and other prizes. What: Trunk-to-Trunk Treating When: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday Where: Trinity Lutheran Church parking lot, 107 N. State St., Merrill. Contact: 715-536-5255 What: Safe Kids Halloween Party When: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday Where: Woodson YMCA, 707 Third St., Wausau Cost: Free and open Contact: 261-6500 What: Kronenwetter Lions Club Halloween Party When: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday Where: Kronenwetter Municipal Center Cost: Free Contact: 693-6457 or 432-1607 More info: For kids 12 and younger. Costume contest at 6 p.m. Games, prizes and candy. • * * What: Trick-or-treat at Cedar Creek Mall When: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday Where: Cedar Creek Mall stores Cost: Free Contact: 355-0011 More info: Stores in the mall will be open for kids to trick or treat. What: Trunk-or-Treat When: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday Where: Key to Life Community Center, 3915 Sandy Lane, Weston Cost: Free Contact: 359-5451 More info: Local individuals, businesses and organizations will have their cars decorated for the event and offer candy out of their trunks. Prizes will be awarded for best cars and best costumes. A free chili supper will be provided by members of St. Peter Lutheran Church in the Community Center. Please bring nonperishable food items for donation. What: Ghost Tours of downtown Wausau When: Tours leave approximately every 15 minutes starting at 6 p.m. (to 7:30 p.m.) on Saturday Where: 400 block of Third Street, downtown Wausau Cost: $5 per person, children 6 and younger free. More info: Members of the Wausau Paranormal Research Society relate historical information and stories about Wausau's ghostly past and present. Contact: www. What: Mosinee Area Optomist Club "Vampires and Werewolves" scavenger hunt When: Children ages 3 to 11 can start anytime from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. It takes about one hour to complete. Where: River Park, Mosinee Cost: $5 per child Contact: 693-3957 More info: Children will complete nine tasks such as making a secret magic potion and playing a human Whack-a-mole game. Costumes are welcome. "We're scary, but not really, really scary," said club member Donna Brod. |
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