The pre-Halloween haunts are now hanging out their hat, and their head if they still have one, to harangue you, with a Witch’s Night Out — warlocks are apparently out of luck, although they can walk the street beside you, though she just might pass you by — on Thursday, Oct. 22, when things and heads really start rolling.
(I was caught in a burning ring of fire, the circling flames lift my smoldered hat higher. Then rims settled for grab globs by Godiva, so she came a horseback witch attired.) So this is a night not only of bad lyricism and sometimes Yankovic but when all good witches crawl about and prowl for goodies, no matter what they wear. My fave is the headless witch outside an art gallery that is made largely of hay bales, but still complete with pointy hat. Also on this weekend, feed the world’s boundless hungry, and drink the big Beer City’s bounty of brew.
What was formerly a small business crawl takes place from 3-7 p.m., then later revelers and those reeling in their witching skills, will see prizes rendered at Max’s Social House, with things maxing out and a grand prize given at 7:30 p.m. There will also be other installments of the prize pazzoolla with a witch’s costume contest.
While out prior, those in costume and out can purchase a $20 donation and get a bag into which they can ply and toss treats from businesses around the town. For a five spot you can get chances for other trick-or-treating treasures. Among those shops with giveaways is one of the downtown’s newer ones, with a site also in North Hudson, the One Drop Refillery, (you can read a full advertorial about them on this site in coming days), which is open in its midst the entire time you witches crawl about.
On both Friday and Saturday starting early, you can give hungry kids living in the world’s worst areas a needed treat, by packing food bags at the St. Croix Valley YMCA through an event sponsored by the organization Feed My Starving Children. Packers of all abilities are being welcomed, five years old and up, in this alternative to trick or treating.
On those same two days live from Milwaukee at 7 p.m. comes the start of the World Series, beamed direct from beer city to a beer hall near you. If the Series progresses far enough, stories will follow.
On Saturday, Oct. 24, there is the trail to walk at the Hudson library, although not scary, as such costumes are not encouraged. It consists of the usual tricks and treats, and crafts too, and assorted family fun. (Boo, we want the death metal that is becoming increasingly popular these days, if only at those shows and the internet.) But first, W.A.L.K. not with Pantera or WASP, but at the library from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with not the wantonly wicked, but with the (killer costumed) kids. Get the a.m. and p.m. right, as we are not strolling until near bar time.
Drink in the holiday just a bit in advance at Kelly’s Pub on the following Thursday, with a representative of the Castle Danger brewing company. on Nov. 29, drink up between 5-7 p.m. The 7 O’Clock hour seems to rein things in across Thursdays. But you can take in for a good (better) cause a meat raffle too, (going an hour more), then dress like an Irishman or woman even after.
At the Phipps Center For The Arts, running through Nov. 1 along with exhibits by Chris Mars, formerly of the band The Replacements, (featured elsewhere on this site), and Tim Byrns, are items done by decades-long local barkeep Jeremy Jones, in particular one showing what looks like a cupcake cone topped by five heads of Jones himself stacked like ice cream on each other to make up the other 55 percent of the height, the most realistic resemblence being the head in the middle. We like the other ones better. More Halloween.
But we have some sad news. (Drip tears of blood.) After a ten-plus-year-run, Mallory’s Restaurant now has had their lease up, or should we say leash up, (dogs were allowed?), per a sign on the door that’s just been issued. The bench in front has been removed, and Hudson no longer has an official heated rooftop patio, and you couldn’t beat the $3 beers for happy hour. Customer reviews generally agreed that the food was good but prices high. If you happen to be out and about for witch’s night out, and have an existing gift certificate, check the sign on the door for how to get a refund.