Here is a listing of some of the best Halloween partying to be done in Hudson and the surrounding area:

— Why enter the Halloween costume contest, or just watch the fun, at Ellie’s on Main on Saturday night? Owner Gregg Ellstrom says there are no shenanigans, and people say they like the bouncers and how they conduct themselves in what is a fun and friendly atmosphere. The big patio, complete with roof and bar, doesn’t hurt either.
Prizes for costumes get into triple digits: $100 cash for first, $100 bar tab for second, and $25 cash for third. The deejay again will determine the winners, based on crowd reaction, near the end of the evening.
Last year, there were 25 to 30 contestants, and the place was very near capacity all night, as people checked out the costumes. Check with the deejay to register.
— In the party at Guv’s Place, which gives the option of a Friday night contest, about 90 percent of the people typically show up in costume and its packed.
The band Off the Record will play from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., and prizes are given by categories such as best costume or most creepy attire; the exact types of categories differ each year and are finalized on the night of the party.
Prizes are in cash or bar tabs, some are given out to patrons selected at random, and there are drink specials.

— Manager Chuck McGee said Halloween parties at Dibbo’s, for $400 in prizes, are fun because people are very bold and often sexy in how they dress up, and can be quite creative — or downright weird, in a good way. It’s obvious that they put time and energy into making the costumes. We both remembered the guy at a Dibbo’s party who dressed up as a “shower,” complete with a curtain hung by rings encircling his head and a faucet right next to his nose. And there always seems to be someone dressed as a member of KISS, and they do it well because they already have the gear, or as a Playboy Bunny.
The band Gel will play all during the Saturday night party. They are veterans at Dibbo’s, having been booked regularly for years, and play a wide variety of ’90s and current rock, without relying too much on the overplayed standards. Think Fuel, Weezer, Bush, Candlebox, Disturbed, Nine Inch Nails and Green Day. They always bring a crowd.
Dibbo’s encourages people to put that effort into making costumes with prizes that include $250 for best costume, $100 for second and $50 for third. There is no cover charge and there of course are Halloween Horror drink specials.

— Trips to Cancun, Hawaii and Vegas and big cash prizes are on tap at the annual Halloween Bash at Junior’s Bar and Restaurant in River Falls on Saturday, starting at 9 p.m. and hosted by radio station KDWB in a 21-and-over event. Fifteen dollars gets patrons all they can drink on rails and selected taps.
The sexiest costume wins the trip to Cancun, and the best costume a trip to Hawaii, with the second place finishers in each category also going to Vegas, and three winners chosen at random during the course of the evening getting trips to Vegas, as well. The best group gets a $500 bar tab.
Join Crisco and KDWB, and indulge in some of thousands of jello shots for $1 each. There is free “wop” when you walk in the door, while it lasts. Junior’s is at 414 S. Main St. in River Falls.
— The New Skinny, a rock band of Hudsonites, will play at the Halloween Party at Dick’s Bar on Saturday with a Superheros theme, and drummer Brando got in the act early last weekend by donning a flowing and flaming red cape with a Jagermeister logo. That should fly well and give Superhero status in St. Croix County, a place where more Jag is consumed per capital then anywhere else in the country. A costume party will be offered. Then next Wednesday on Halloween itself, music will be provided by Brian Naughton.
— An appearance by Live Mix 105 radio is a highlight of the free pumpkin party at Camp St. Croix on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There also are many other activities, including horse drawn wagon rides and pony rides, petting zoo, a magician and pumpkin decorating. At 11:30 a.m. there is a pet costume contest, and at noon the kids get their costume contest.

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