Halloween events at various locations promise variety and fun

In 1822 Thomas Jefferson wrote to a friend that "there is not a young man now living in the United States who will not die a Unitarian."  Maybe Jefferson will get his wish once revelers experience the mirthful fun at the upcoming Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth's carnival this Halloween.

"We've got a haunted house that's new this year," said Julie McDonnel, who is a carnival volunteer for the church's event. "That was organized by the kids in the religious education program along with adults and kids from our whole congregation. We've got fortunetellers, dart throw, ring toss and a whole bunch of games.  We're making bat mobiles this year and hat-making along with a good, old-fashioned cake walk."

Other churches are offering their touch to the Halloween event list this year as well.

Pilgrim Congregational Church will transform itself into Hogwarts Academy, based on the J. K. Rowling "Harry Potter" series. You can eat at the Three Broomsticks Tavern, get candy at the Joke Shop, or join in an elf sock race. 

Our Savior's Lutheran Church will offer "Trunk or Treat" in the church parking lot where children can go to trick-or-treat car to car.

In Rice Lake Township, volunteer firefighter Lyle Johnson has been helping out for the past several years with the Rice Lake Fire Department Auxiliary Halloween carnival, sometimes in a big way. "The first couple of years they encouraged the firemen to dress up," Johnson said. "I put on full turn-out gear that didn't belong to me with a woman's mask and the helmet, air packs and everything and came to the fire hall. People couldn't figure out who I was because I wouldn't talk. After about an hour I was so hot I had to start stripping down because I was burning up and laughing inside my mask."

The Rice Lake event Halloween carnival started about 12 years ago as a community event to get children off the street when inclement weather presents itself and to provide safer conditions for children.

So, whether you're a child, an adult, or both, there's something for you in Duluth this Halloween.  

Halloween Happenings

Saturday, Oct. 29

Hartley Nature Center Howl-O-Ween

10 a.m. to noon or

1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

$15 per family

3001 Woodland Avenue

Registration required: (218)724-6735

hartleynature.org

UUCD Carnival

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Unitarian Universalist

Congregation of Duluth

835 W. College St.

(218)724-0308, uuduluth.org

Sunday, Oct. 30

Trunk or Treat, Meet from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. in Room 104, First United Methodist Church (Coppertop)

230 E. Skyline Parkway (218)727-5021

fumcduluth.com

Trunk or Treat and

Pumpkin Parable

3 p.m., Lincoln Park

Community Church

2202 W. Third Street

(218)722-4141

lincolnparkcommunity.com

Trunk or Treat,

4 to 5:30 p.m.

Glen Avon Church parking lot, 2105 Woodland Avenue

(218)724-1604

glenavonchurch.org

Hogwarts Halloween Party

5:30 to 8 p.m., Pilgrim Congregational Church, 2310 E. Fourth St., (218)724-8503 pilgrimduluth.org

Monday, Oct. 31

Trunk or Treat, 4 to 5 p.m.

Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 4831 Grand Avenue

(218)624-3648

oursaviorsduluth.org

Haunted Halls at the UMD

5 to 7 p.m., Check in at Ianni Hall lobby, 506 Niagara Court. Non-perishable food donation encouraged.

(218)726-8830

d.umn.edu/news/2010/

October/21.html

Rice Lake Fire Department Auxiliary Halloween

Carnival, 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Donation to food shelf requested. Rice Lake Fire Department, 4051 Martin Road