Our Guide to Trick or Treating

Compiled by Northwoods News Staff

 

“Once a year

When the leaves are brown

October 31st rolls around

Kids come out when the sun goes down

You know they’re comin’

When you hear this sound

 

Trick or treat

Trick or treat

Give us something good to eat

If you don’t hee hee hee

We’ll put snails upon your feet

Trick or treat

Trick or treat

We love candy oh so sweet

Each and every Halloween

We all say trick or treat”

(From “Trick or Treat,” by Andrew Gold)

 

While it’s challenging to pinpoint the precise origins of the Halloween tradition of trick-or-treating, historians point to All Souls’ Day celebrations in first century England during which “Poor people would visit the houses of wealthier families and receive pastries called soul cakes in exchange for a promise to pray for the souls of the homeowners’ dead relatives. Known as ‘souling,’ the practice was later taken up by children, who would go from door to door asking for gifts such as food, money and ale.”

As cultural traditions evolved over the centuries and were transported across the Atlantic Ocean, trick-or-treating came to hold a prominent place in American culture by the early 1950s. There are comics and cartoons from this time of the Peanuts gang and Donald Duck and his nephews going door to door in costume.

It is estimated that Americans spend over $2.6 billion each year on candy for Halloween. In addition, over $3 billion is spent on costumes for the holiday.

In need of some inspiration for your Halloween attire? Ranging from a chick magnet to a plant lady, here are 75 last minute DIY costumes that Good Housekeeping has rounded up. If you’re planning on spending a quiet night in at home, Taste of Home has 34 candy recipes you can try, including ‘scary eyeballs’ and ‘potato chip clusters’.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, here is our guide to Northwoods trick- (and trunk-) or-treating events.

 

Arbor Vitae:

Town of Arbor Vitae Trick or Treat

Sunday, October 31st

At participating Arbor Vitae residences.

4:00 to 7:00 pm

 

Boulder Junction:

Boulder Junction In-Town Trick or Treat

Saturday, October 30th

At participating Boulder Junction businesses.

2:00 to 4:00 pm

 

Boulder Junction In-Town Trick or Treat

Sunday, October 31st

At participating Boulder Junctions residences.

4:00 to 7:00 pm

Contact: Boulder Junction Chamber at (715) 385-2400 or boulderjct.org.

 

Crandon:

Crandon Trick or Treat

Sunday, October 31st

4:00 to 6:00 pm (at participating residences.)

 

Eagle River:

Hallowfest

Saturday, October 30th

223 East Wall Street

Eagle River, WI 54521

12:00 to 2:00 pm

Come for an afternoon of ghoulish fun: treasure hunt, costume contest and a Halloween themed movie accompanied by soda and popcorn. This event is free for children up to 15 years of age who will also receive free popcorn and soda. The event is sponsored by the Eagle River Business Association and Vilas Cinema. For more information, email grandmastoybox12@gmail.com or call Kathy at 715-477-2227.

The City of Eagle River does not set specific Halloween Trick or Treating hours. City residents that wish to participate in trick or treating, please leave a porch light on. Trick or Treaters, please only go to residences with a lit porch light! – Eagle River Police Department

 

Lake Tomahawk:

Trunk or Treat at Sloan Community Center

Sunday, October 31st

7246 Main Street

Lake Tomahawk, WI 54539

2:00 to 4:00 pm

The Town of Lake Tomahawk trick-or-treating hours are also 2:00 to 4:00 pm. For more information, please contact Linda Penno at 715-383-9188 or pennolinda@gmail.com.

 

Land O’ Lakes:

Ely Memorial Church: Trunk or Treat

Sunday, October 31st

Ely Memorial Church

4302 County Road B

Land O’ Lakes, WI 54540

4:00 to 5:30 pm

Families are invited to bring their young children to go trunk-to-trunk for treats in the church parking lot.

 

CAMPFIRE BOO BASH at the Library

Sunday, October 31st

Land O’ Lakes Library

4242 County Road B

Land O’ Lakes, WI 54540

4:30 to 6:00 pm

Enjoy a campfire with s’mores and hot dogs, ghost stories, jokes, games, and tricks and treats too! Attendees are advised to dress for the weather. For more information, call 715-547-6006.

 

Manitowish Waters:

Trick or Treat with Trunk or Treat at Koller Park

Saturday, October 30th

County Highway W

Manitowish Waters, WI 54545

12:00 to 2:00 pm

There will be trunk-or-treating in Koller Park and trick-or-treating around the downtown area at participating local businesses. For more information, call 715-543-8488

 

Minocqua:

Minocqua Treat or Treat

Sunday, October 31st

4:00 to 6:00 pm (at participating Minocqua businesses.)

4:00 to 7:00 pm (at participating Minocqua residences.)

 

Phelps:

Phelps Booster Club: Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 30th

Phelps School Lower Parking Lot

4451 Old School Road

Phelps, WI 54554

2:00 to 5:00 pm

 

Town of Phelps: Trick or Treat

Saturday, October 30th

At participating businesses and residences.

2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

 

Presque Isle:

A Spooktacular Shantytown

Sunday, October 31st

Pipke Park – Highway W

Presque Isle, WI

5:00 to 8:00 pm

Activities held at the new all-outdoors location at Pipke Park include trunk-or-treat around the pond. Haunted ice shanties with refreshments provided. This event is hosted by St. Rita’s Church, Presque Isle Lions and the Presque Isle Fire/EMS Department. For more information, call 715-686-2910.

 

Rhinelander:

Friendly Village Trick or Treat

Friday, October 29th

900 Boyce Drive

Rhinelander, WI 54501

4:00 to 6:00 pm

Staff and residents will be passing out candy in the Friendly Village parking lot.

 

Downtown Trick or Treat

Saturday, October 30th

Downtown Rhinelander

2:00 to 4:00 pm

Brown and Davenport Streets will be blocked off during this time to keep the community safe. All participating businesses will have a paper pumpkin in their window.

Trick or Treating will take place from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. For more information on having a safe Halloween, contact the Rhinelander Police Department at 715-365-5300.

 

St. Germain:

St. Germain Lions Club Drive Thru Trick or Treating

Saturday, October 30th

Sentry Foods

474 WI-70

St Germain, WI 54558

6:00 pm

 

Town of St. Germain Treat or Treating

Sunday, October 31st

At participating St. Germain residences.

3:00 to 7:00 pm

 

Sayner:

Trunk-N-Treat

Saturday, October 30th

Plum Lake Library Parking Lot

4:00 to 6:00 pm

For more information, call 715-542-2020.

 

Three Lakes:

Three Lions Club Halloween Party

Sunday, October 31st

Three Lakes High School

6930 W. School Street

Three Lakes, WI 54562

5:45 to 7:00 pm

There will be a costume contest at the Three Lakes School Commons at 6:00 pm. Prizes will be awarded for the scariest, prettiest, funniest and coolest costumes. To enter the pumpkin carving contest, have your carved or decorated pumpkin(s) at the Three Lakes School Commons by 5:45 pm. For more information, call 715-546-3344.

 

Woodruff:

Town of Woodruff Trick or Treat

October 31st

At participating Woodruff residences.

4:00 to 7:00 pm

 

Check out hauntedwisconsin.com for more spooky happenings.