In the Loop: Pre-Halloween fun heating up in Kenosha

Top 5 things to do in Kenosha this weekend:

Dia de los Muertos at Kenosha Public Museum

Dia de los Muertos

12-3 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 22)

Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave.

Learn about traditions of the holiday, celebrating loved ones through ofrendas, play Mexican games, create paper crafts for celebrating at home, and explore educational displays on community and culture by the students of Bradford. Free drop-in program for families.

More information

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Ghost Hunting at Dinosaur Discovery Museum

Ghost Hunting

9 p.m. Friday (Oct. 21)

Dinosaur Discovery Museum, 5608 10th Ave.

Join the Dinosaur Discovery Museum after hours to hear spooky stories of strange happenings, explore possible evidence of the paranormal captured by real-life ghost hunters including pictures and EVPs, and investigate the museum. Open to 16-over, participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets $12/$10 members.

More information

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The Haunted Trails of Hawthorn Hollow

The Haunted Trails of Hawthorn Hollow

7-9 p.m. Friday (Oct. 21)

Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary & Arboretum, 880 Green Bay Rd.

Join us in celebrating Halloween with the Haunted Trails of Hawthorn Hollow.

Explore the woods on this guided hike, share scary stories, local lore, and more. Tickets $15 adults/$10 for children under 12. Family-friendly event with no jump-out scary features, but recommended for ages 10 and over.

More information

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October Fest Crawl

October Fest Crawl

Through Saturday (Oct. 22)

Downtown and various locations throughout Kenosha

The October Fest Crawl Passport, presented by the Kenosha Chamber of Commerce, unlock exclusive deals at pubs and restaurants throughout downtown Kenosha, and beyond. 4-8 p.m.during the week and 2-6 p.m. Saturday. Passports $15-20.

More information

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Halloween Campfire and Hike at Richard Bong State Recreation Area

Halloween Campfire and Hike (and s’mores!)

6-9 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 22)

Richard Bong State Recreation Center, 26313 Burlington Rd.

Enjoy a spook-tacular Halloween hike down the short and sweet “Storywalk Trail”. Listen for nighttime animals like owls, bats, and coyotes, and finish with a campfire with s’mores. Meet at Shelter 1. Vehicle admission sticker is required: $8 per day for vehicles with Wisconsin plates (seniors $3)/$11 for vehicles with out-of-state plates. Annual state park vehicle admission stickers are also available.

More information

Heads Up

Kenosha native Bethany Thomas, is now a Chicago-based singer, actor and writer and recipient of a Joseph Jefferson Award and Black Theater Alliance Award, and a 3Arts Award winner in music. She brings her band to her hometown Wednesday (Oct. 19) at 58 Below, presented by KmacK Productions. Admission is $20.

The Lineup

THURSDAY, Oct. 20

Music 

Rhythm Dogs Blues Jam, 8 p.m., Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave. 

Create @theSpace Open Stage, 7-11 p.m., Kenosha Creative Space, 624 57th St. Hosted by Haven Wells. Project work and sharing 7 p.m., music begins at 8 p.m. 

Art 

Southport Quilters’ Guild: “Quilting By The Lake,” The Women’s Journeys in Fiber: “Pathways & Connections,” and exhibits by Area Artist Group and Kemper Center Artists Group, Anderson Arts Center, 6603 3rd Ave. Gallery Hours 1-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Free, donations appreciated.

Acrylics International Biennial Exhibition, Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave. This inaugural exhibition spotlights 45 paintings demonstrating the variety of subjects, styles, and techniques possible in the acrylic medium, and the diversity and skill of the featured artists. Juried selections were made by artist John Jude Palencar. Museum hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. 

Local Artist Craft Show, 4-8 p.m. 5321 26th St., featuring multi-media arts and crafts. Continues Saturday. 

Downtown Kenosha Ghost Tours

Potpourri 

Ghost Hunting, 9 p.m., Dinosaur Discovery Museum, 5608 10th Ave. Join the Dinosaur Discovery Museum after hours to hear spooky stories of strange happenings, explore possible evidence of the paranormal captured by real-life ghost hunters including pictures and EVPs, and investigate the museum. Open to 16-over, participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets $12/$10 members. 

Afternoon Movie @ Northside: “Practical Magic,” 12:30-3:30 p.m., Northside Library, 1500 27th Ave. Registration preferred but not required. 

Through the Lens, 7-9 p.m., Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum School Yard Observatory, 880 Green Bay Rd. Tickets $12. 

Authtober Guest Author MP McDonald, author of “Infection – A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Novel,” , 5-7 p.m., Studio Moonfall, 5031 7th Ave. 

Lakeshore Pedal Tour Downtown Kenosha Ghost Tours, starting from Kenosha Yacht Club, 5130 4th Ave. Public and private tours available. Through Oct. 31. 

Southport Light Station Museum – Climb a Lighthouse, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, 5117 4th Ave.Free admission for the keeper’s house tour; donations are welcome. Lighthouse climb costs $10 for ages 12 and over, $5 for children 8-11 years old. (Must be 8 or older to climb.)

Loyal to the Union, Ohio in the Civil War. Explore the people and events that made the Buckeye state unique and so important to the Union cause. Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. Daily hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday.

October Fest Crawl, 4-8 p.m., Downtown and various locations throughout Kenosha. The October Fest Crawl Passport, presented by the Kenosha Chamber of Commerce, unlock exclusive deals at pubs and restaurants throughout downtown Kenosha, and beyond. Passports $15-20. 

Family 

Once Upon a Cuento (Bilingual Storytime), 9:30-10 a.m., Southwest Library, 7979 38th Ave. ¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to our storytime bilingüe. We will read libros and sing canciones! 

Preschool Storytime, 10-10:30 a.m., Northside Library, 1500 27th Ave. Designed for children ages 3-5, with 30 minutes of books, songs, fingerplays, and more during this classic storytime. 

Nature-made STEAM, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Uptown Neighborhood Library, 2419 63rd St. Let’s explore the nature around us and its potential. We’ll investigate symmetry in nature and find all that we can create with nature. Registration required. 

Jerry Smith Produce & Pumpkin Farm, 7150 18th St. Country Store and free hand-painted fall display open daily 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Paid fall activity areas (corn maze, playgrounds, hayrides, tire mountain, and more: Weekdays 4-8 p.m. $6/person, weekends 10 a.m.-8 p.m. $11/person. Children 2-under free. Concessions available: Monday-Friday 4-7:30 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. (Through Oct. 31) 

Would You Kindly? at Union Park Tavern

FRIDAY, Oct. 21 

Music 

Would You Kindly? 9 p.m., Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave. 

Sliver (80s/90s/modern rock/alternative), 9 p.m., 58 Below, 504 58th St. 

Smith-Nelson Project, 8-11 p.m., Gordon’s Sports Bar & Grill, 5703 6th Ave. 

Rough Cut, 8:30 p.m., 24’s Rumor’s Lounge, 1402 52nd St.

Art 

Southport Quilters’ Guild: “Quilting By The Lake,” The Women’s Journeys in Fiber: “Pathways & Connections,” and exhibits by Area Artist Group and Kemper Center Artists Group, Anderson Arts Center, 6603 3rd Ave. Gallery Hours 1-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Free, donations appreciated.

Acrylics International Biennial Exhibition, Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave. This inaugural exhibition spotlights 45 paintings demonstrating the variety of subjects, styles, and techniques possible in the acrylic medium, and the diversity and skill of the featured artists. Juried selections were made by artist John Jude Palencar. Museum hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. 

Theater 

Lakeside Players present “The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy,” 7:30 p.m. Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 56th St. Tickets $15 for general public, $13 for students and seniors. 

Tour Italy in Virtual Reality at the Southwest Library

Potpourri 

Kemper Haunted House, 7-10 p.m. Kemper Center, 6501 3rd Ave. “SECTOR 13” presented by Kemper Center and Kenosha County Teen Task Force, with kiddie lights-on hour 6-7 p.m. Admission $5-10. (Saturdays through Oct. 29) 

Authtober Guest Author, Debra Oas, author of “Whitewater Witch (A Cryptid Mystery),” 5-7 p.m., Studio Moonfall, 5031 7th Ave. 

Tour Italy in Virtual Reality, 2-3 p.m., Southwest Library, 7979 38th Ave. Walk-in and visit Italy from home in Kenosha through Virtual Reality. You’ll have guided tours through some of the most well known areas of Italy without needing to update a passport or book a flight. Virtual tours are approximately 20 minute experiences. 

Hallow Glow Night, 5-10 p.m., Boundless Adventures, Bristol Woods Park, 9800 160th Ave. neon lights, smoke machines, and seasonal music and trick-or-treat candy add to the  family-friendly outdoor aerial adventure park: crawl, swing, climb, balance, and zip-line through the forest. $50 for a 2-hour climb. 

Kevin Farley at the Kenosha Comedy Club

Comedian Kevin Farley, 8 p.m., Kenosha Comedy Club, Wyndham Garden, 5125 6th Ave. Tickets $25 plus fees. 

Lakeshore Pedal Tours Downtown Kenosha Ghost Tours, starting from Kenosha Yacht Club, 5130 4th Ave. Public and private tours available. Through Oct. 31. 

Southport Light Station Museum – Climb a Lighthouse, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, 5117 4th Ave.Free admission for the keeper’s house tour; donations are welcome. Lighthouse climb costs $10 for ages 12 and over, $5 for children 8-11 years old. (Must be 8 or older to climb.)

Loyal to the Union, Ohio in the Civil War. Explore the people and events that made the Buckeye state unique and so important to the Union cause. Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. Daily hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday.

October Fest Crawl, 4-8 p.m., Downtown and various locations throughout Kenosha. The October Fest Crawl Passport, presented by the Kenosha Chamber of Commerce, unlock exclusive deals at pubs and restaurants throughout downtown Kenosha, and beyond. Passports $15-20. 

Dinos in the Dark at the Dinosaur Discovery Museum

Family 

Dinos in the Dark, 6, 7, and 8 p.m., Dinosaur Discovery Museum, Bring a flashlight and walk among the skeletons of the Dinosaur Discovery Museum! The dinosaurs will come alive in the shadows as you discover their unique features with your flashlight. Advanced tickets, $5 members/$10 non-members, are necessary for this event, and there are multiple sessions per night. Recommended for ages 3+ 

Preschool Storytime, 9:30-10 a.m. and 10:30-11 a.m., Southwest Library, 7979 38th Ave. Ages 3-5. 

Toddler Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Northside Library, 1500 27th Ave. Approximately 20 minutes of stories, songs and fingerplays for children ages 1-2 and their caregivers. 

Friday Fun Day, 2-4 p.m., Northside Library, 1500 27th Ave. Relax and have fun with games, crafts, building toys, or tech. Each session will feature a different activity to drop in and try. 

Teen Craft: Pumpkin Decorating (Ages 12-19), 4:30-5:30 p.m., Northside Library, 1500 27th Ave. The library will provide the pumpkins, art supplies and some Halloween-themed background music to set the mood. Just bring creativity! Registration required. 

Small Eyes Under the Skies at Hawthorn Hollow

Small Eyes Under the Skies, 6-8:30 p.m.  Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum School Yard Observatory, 880 Green Bay Rd. Take turns looking through our 16-inch telescope at binary stars, dim planets, distant galaxies, and other sky objects. Learn about these objects, their distances, sizes, and orbits and take a tour of the night sky. Tickets $12. 

Pokemon Club, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Southwest Library, 7979 38th Ave. Calling all Pokémon trainers! Join in each month for a different Pokémon themed activity. 

Jerry Smith Produce & Pumpkin Farm, 7150 18th St. Country Store and free hand-painted fall display open daily 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Paid fall activity areas (corn maze, playgrounds, hayrides, tire mountain, and more: Weekdays 4-8 p.m. $6/person, weekends 10 a.m.-8 p.m. $11/person. Children 2-under free. Concessions available: Monday-Friday 4-7:30 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. (Through Oct. 31) 

Pat McCurdy at Wyndham Garden Kenosha Harborside

SATURDAY, Oct. 22 

Music 

Pat McCurdy, 7:30 p.m., Wyndham Garden Kenosha Harborside, 5125 6th Ave. Tickets $10 plus fees. 

Head’s All Empty (Grateful Dead tribute), 8:30 p.m., The Brat Stop, 12304 75th St. 21+ show, Tickets $10. 

Jill Plaisted (Americana), 8 p.m., Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave. 

Katy Wallner Art Exhibit at Kenosha Creative Space

Art 

A Weekend of Chaotic Bliss: An Art Exhibit. Featuring artist Katy Wallner, 5-8 p.m., Kenosha Creative Space, 624 57th St. 

Southport Quilters’ Guild: “Quilting By The Lake,” The Women’s Journeys in Fiber: “Pathways & Connections,” and exhibits by Area Artist Group and Kemper Center Artists Group, Anderson Arts Center, 6603 3rd Ave. Gallery Hours 1-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Free, donations appreciated.

Acrylics International Biennial Exhibition, Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave. This inaugural exhibition spotlights 45 paintings demonstrating the variety of subjects, styles, and techniques possible in the acrylic medium, and the diversity and skill of the featured artists. Juried selections were made by artist John Jude Palencar. Museum hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. 

Local Artist Craft Show, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 5321 26th St., featuring multi-media arts and crafts. 

Theater 

Lakeside Players present “The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy,” 7:30 p.m. Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 56th St. Tickets $15 for general public, $13 for students and seniors. 

Haunted Simmons at Simmons Library

Potpourri 

Kemper Center Haunted House, 7-10 p.m., 6501 3rd Ave. “SECTOR 13” presented by Kemper Center and Kenosha County Teen Task Force, with kiddie lights-on hour 6-7 p.m. Admission $5-10. 

The Haunted Trails of Hawthorn Hollow, 7-9 p.m., Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary & Arboretum, 880 Green Bay Rd. Celebrate Halloween with the Haunted Trails of Hawthorn Hollow.Explore the woods on this guided hike, hear scary stories, local lore, and more. Tickets $15 adults/$10 for children under 12. Family-friendly event with no jump-out scary features, but recommended for ages 10 and over. 

Haunted Simmons, 7-9 p.m., Simmons Library, 711 59th Pl. Is Simmons Library home to the supernatural? This is an updated, spooky version of KPL’s behind-the-scenes Simmons tour, complete with staff reports of ghostly happenings within our historic building. This self-guided tour involves significant stair climbing and includes timed exhibits and an exploration map. All sessions are the same on both days. Please register for one session only. (Registration full, join waitlist HERE

Comedian Kevin Farley, 8 p.m., Kenosha Comedy Club, Wyndham Garden, 5125 6th Ave. Tickets $25 plus fees. 

Meet and Greet with Lisa Maristatter at Blue House Books

Meet and Greet with Lisa Maristatter, author of “Tiny Tin House,” 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Blue House Books, 5915 6th Ave. 

Authtober Guest Author, Ties that Bind Publishing, 5-7 p.m., Studio Moonfall, 5031 7th Ave. 

Southport Light Station Museum – Climb a Lighthouse, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, 5117 4th Ave.Free admission for the keeper’s house tour; donations are welcome. Lighthouse climb costs $10 for ages 12 and over, $5 for children 8-11 years old. (Must be 8 or older to climb.)

Loyal to the Union, Ohio in the Civil War. Explore the people and events that made the Buckeye state unique and so important to the Union cause. Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. Daily hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday.

Lakeshore Pedal Tours Downtown Kenosha Ghost Tours, starting from Kenosha Yacht Club, 5130 4th Ave. Public and private tours available. Through Oct. 31.

October Fest Crawl, 2-6 p.m., Downtown and various locations throughout Kenosha. The October Fest Crawl Passport, presented by the Kenosha Chamber of Commerce, unlock exclusive deals at pubs and restaurants throughout downtown Kenosha, and beyond. Passports $15-20. 

Kenosha HarborMarket, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 2nd Avenue at 56th Street and Place de Douai. (Outdoor season through Oct. 29)

Kenosha Public Market, 9 a.m- 2 p.m., 625 52nd St. adjacent to Veterans Park. (Outdoor season through Oct. 29)

Clean-up and Costumes in Uptown

Family 

Dia de los Muertos, 12-3 p.m., Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave. Learn about traditions of the holiday, celebrating loved ones through ofrendas, play Mexican games, create paper crafts for celebrating at home, and explore educational displays on community and culture by the students of Bradford. Free drop-in program for families. 

Halloween Campfire and Hike (and s’mores!), 6-9 p.m., Richard Bong State Recreation Center, 26313 Burlington Rd. Enjoy a spook-tacular Halloween hike down the short and sweet “Storywalk Trail”. Listen for nighttime animals like owls, bats, and coyotes, and finish with a campfire with s’mores.  Meet at Shelter 1. Vehicle admission sticker is required: $8 per day for vehicles with Wisconsin plates (seniors $3)/$11 for vehicles with out-of-state plates. Annual state park vehicle admission stickers are also available. 

Mickey the Fox Snake Encounter, 2-3 p.m., Richard Bong State Recreation Area, 26313 Burlington Rd. Learn all about snakes and watch as the education snake Mickey is fed, and even get the chance to hold or touch Mickey. Meet in the Visitor Center Auditorium. Vehicle admission sticker is required: $8 per day for vehicles with Wisconsin plates (seniors $3) / $11 for vehicles with out-of-state plates. Annual state park vehicle admission sticker is also available.

Preschool Play Lab: Pumpkin Play, 11 a.m.-noon, Northside Library, 1500 27th Ave. What can you do with a pumpkin? Make them into geoboards, tinker with them, and roll, weigh, or lift them! For ages 3-5. 

Family Storytime, 10:30-11 a.m., Simmons Library, 711 59th Pl. The whole family is invited to storytime! Come read stories, sing songs, and have fun.

Clean-up and Costumes in Uptown, 9 a.m.-noon, 2225 63rd St. Students receive a costume for helping with a neighborhood clean-up (materials provided). Presented by Kenosha Police Department and Kenosha Playspace. No registration needed, but a sign-in will be provided at the event. 

Jerry Smith Produce & Pumpkin Farm, 7150 18th St. Country Store and free hand-painted fall display open daily 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Paid fall activity areas (corn maze, playgrounds, hayrides, tire mountain, and more: Weekdays 4-8 p.m. $6/person, weekends 10 a.m.-8 p.m. $11/person. Children 2-under free. Concessions available: Monday-Friday 4-7:30 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. (Through Oct. 31) 

SUNDAY, Oct. 23 

Music 

Cy’s Piano Jams, 4-7 p.m., Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave. 

Art 

Southport Quilters’ Guild: “Quilting By The Lake,” The Women’s Journeys in Fiber: “Pathways & Connections,” and exhibits by Area Artist Group and Kemper Center Artists Group, Anderson Arts Center, 6603 3rd Ave. Gallery Hours 1-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Free, donations appreciated.

Acrylics International Biennial Exhibition, Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave. This inaugural exhibition spotlights 45 paintings demonstrating the variety of subjects, styles, and techniques possible in the acrylic medium, and the diversity and skill of the featured artists. Juried selections were made by artist John Jude Palencar. Museum hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. 

“The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy” at the Rhode Center for the Arts

Theater 

Lakeside Players present “The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy,” 2 p.m. Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 56th St. Tickets $15 for general public, $13 for students and seniors. 

Potpourri 

Southport Light Station Museum – Climb a Lighthouse, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, 5117 4th Ave.Free admission for the keeper’s house tour; donations are welcome. Lighthouse climb costs $10 for ages 12 and over, $5 for children 8-11 years old. (Must be 8 or older to climb.)

Loyal to the Union, Ohio in the Civil War. Explore the people and events that made the Buckeye state unique and so important to the Union cause. Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. Daily hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday.

Lakeshore Pedal Tours Downtown Kenosha Ghost Tours, starting from Kenosha Yacht Club, 5130 4th Ave. Public and private tours available. Through Oct. 31. 

Wilmot Flea Market, 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Kenosha County Fairgrounds, 30820 111st St. Family-friendly, open-air market with free parking and concessions. Admission $2 for adults, $1 seniors and kids 6-14. Kids 5-under admitted free.

Slightly Spooky Simmons at Simmons Library

Family 

Slightly Spooky Simmons, noon-4 p.m., Simmons Library, 711 59th Pl. Looking to join in the spooky season of fun with a family-friendly atmosphere? Join us to explore the ghost tales of Simmons Library, sure to delight and entertain children of all ages. Costumes are encouraged! All sessions are the same on both days. Registration is not required, but available. 

Sunday Storytime, 2 p.m., Blue House Books, 5915 6th Ave. A. Special guest storytellers read books and sharing activities.

Jerry Smith Produce & Pumpkin Farm, 7150 18th St. Country Store and free hand-painted fall display open daily 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Paid fall activity areas (corn maze, playgrounds, hayrides, tire mountain, and more: Weekdays 4-8 p.m. $6/person, weekends 10 a.m.-8 p.m. $11/person. Children 2-under free. Concessions available: Monday-Friday 4-7:30 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. (Through Oct. 31)

To submit an event to Kenosha.com’s “In the Loop,” please email Laura@Kenosha.com with details and contact information.

Laura Marran

After two decades in journalism, Marran earned her Master’s degree in Exceptional Education from UW-Milwaukee and has served as a special education teacher with Kenosha Unified School District since 2006. A Marquette University School of Journalism alum, Marran has lived in Kenosha since 1987.

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