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Halloween is on a weekend this year. Scary. So how will you party on? Here are a pile of them to choose from, where you can go with your costume. (And an aside: Breaking news that Elvira has reinvented herself. Maybe you will see her out and about)!

The day before Halloween itself is the time to strut your stuff at area costume contests, and the unholy trinity of such parties is in downtown New Richmond. Here’s the lowdown on what’s happening their and elsewhere on Oct. 30:
— Known for the most haunted of Halloweens, the hallowed howl at the Wild Badger, despite the timing of Daylight Savings lasts well after dark from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and thus is called Afterlife. So much so there’s no need for an afterbar. Its draw can be expoused by its featured music group, Anxiety, (the only time of year this is a good thing). Also on tap is InkJunk1, with four artists on board.
— On the same block, Mallards at 230 Knowles Avenue will have best costume and $500 in prizes. The live (as opposed to dead) deejay will be on all the way from 9 p.m. to last call, and you never know that last song might be the length of Stairway to Heaven. They boast “SVE and Shelby at bar.” Bar none. And add four drink specials including Jaeger and Fireball.
— Across the street at Bobcats, the venue will have all the same things you expect of a Halloween costume contest party. And a chance to party with Heather and Kaylee. What does that entail? Check it out.
— Pretty good for just a short jaunt cross-country. When going to T-Buckets, you can earn far more than $10 a mile!
But first there’s the power hour from 8-9 p.m. At 3-for-1, that’s a drink every 20 minutes for one low price. Then three more hours of fun with jello shots and snacks. Then the aforementioned witching-hour costume contest at midnight. Waiting for you is a tab of $250 for first place, $100 for second and a $50 bar tab for third.
— The people at The Bungalow Inn in Lakeland are the true veterans of such costume parties. Their time-tested holiday musicians — on Saturday being The Drive — know just the right mix to pump up the crowd prior to judging, and those who come in costume also have time on their side, in a good way. And their special of spirits for Halloween is second to none. Combine this with their Bungalow Idol musical excursions, typically held in January, and you have a party, now or then.
— Besides prizes for best costume, the drink specials at Nutty Squirrel are — just nutty. So Prince is not the only one sporting a symbol. Squirrel (symbol) Shots, rails and domestic bottles go for only $2 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. And you have until 11 p.m. to be there in-costume and win, and get squirrelly with their shots for two hours after that.
— Muddy Waters in Prescott can get you going sooner than most with their costume judging, around 9-9:30 p.m. (The party itself starts on the backwaters patio at 5 p.m.) This way there’s no pressure if banking on winning that big prize, and you can just relax for the rest of the evening, or kick up your heels somemore. There will be no feeling of blues on that night, at this landmark blues club.
— Up the road in Ellsworth, the Gaslite Bar and Grill also can’t wait to get going with their party and costume contest, as the Kevin’s Cousin Band (she’s pretty even if not undead) is starting the music at 8 p.m.
— At Ziggy’s in Hudson there is a band, Rough House, and you can come dressed — even if a bit rough-shod or grungy as they take all comers — as your favorite rock star (your choice broadly) for a shot at prizes.
This does not even mention what’s to behold, and be had, at Dick’s and the Smilin’ Moose …
And still, even now, the coolest costumed creatures careening from the ceiling on Friday night are at Guv’s in North Hudson.

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