Number of Halloween events on tap is almost scary

Halloween takes center stage in Port Washington and throughout the county this weekend.

The final farmers market of the season will be held on East Main Street between Wisconsin and Franklin streets in downtown Port Washington from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. A band will be on hand to entertain those attending.

Port Main Street Inc.’s annual Harvest at the Market celebration will be held in conjunction with the event.

An apple pie contest will be held at 10 a.m. with entries judged by Janet Trzecinski and Linda Gottlieb, locally recognized bakers. After the judging, the remaining pie will be served to people attending the market.

The winning entry will earn a $50 Main Street gift certificate, with second and third place entries receiving $30 and $20 certificates, respectively.

The recipes for the winning entries will be published in Ozaukee Press.

Although people are encouraged to register for the contest in advance, entries will be accepted on Saturday. Entry forms are available at visitportwashington.com or Port Main Street Inc.’s Facebook page.

Participants should submit their recipe with their pie, but not place their name on the recipe.

Children will also find plenty to do at the event.

Youngsters, who are invited to attend in costume, may bob for apples, enjoy pumpkin bowling and carve jack o’lanterns in the alley between Vines to Cellar and One Wag pet shop.

They are also invited to trick or treat at participating downtown stores from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stores that are participating will have a picture of pumpkins on their doors or windows.

In addition, they may participate in a 1 p.m. costume contest at Sherper’s. The store will also hold a Dog-A-Ween costume contest, with owners able to bring their costumed pets to the shop from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and their photos will be taken. The pictures will be posted on the store’s Facebook page, where visitors can vote on their favorites.

Youths can continue their Halloween fun during the community trick or treat.

The City of Port Washington has designated trick-or-treat hours from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday.

While many children will be looking for candy, students from Lincoln Elementary School will also carry orange donation boxes and collect money for UNICEF.

In the past, students have collected more than $1,200, and this year the school’s goal is $1,500.

High schoolers will also be trick or treating for the hungry, collecting nonperishable food items that will be given to local food pantries.

There aren’t universal hours throughout the county. In Grafton, trick or treat will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, and in Fredonia youngsters can trick or treat from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday. 

In addition, the Fredonia Fire Department will hold a brat fry at its station from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Sunday is the designated trick or treat day in Saukville and Belgium, where costumed youngsters will visit houses from 4 to 7 p.m.

Residents who have treats to give out are asked to turn on their front lights to let children know they are home.