Get your spook on

Eerie and chilling events in Eau Claire sure to get locals in the Halloween spirit

Timothy Spierings

More stories from Timothy Spierings

Photo by Lauren Spierings

Eau Claire offers a variety of spooky events perfect for Halloween lovers of all kinds.

It’s spooky season once again and sometimes it can be hard to make plans to get in the holiday mood. With Halloween fast approaching, the Eau Claire community has come up with some great ways to have fun and get scared this next week.

There are activities for everyone this year — Eau Claire is pulling out all the stops. From horror movies to haunted houses, the local businesses and organizations of Eau Claire have something for Halloween lovers of all kinds.

To start, the Eau Claire County 4-H group and the Feed My People Food Bank are putting on a Haunted Barn for the community. From 7-10 p.m., Oct. 25 through Oct. 27, guests can enjoy being startled and spooked in the scary barn at 8020 Curvue Rd. As a bonus: bringing a canned food item will reduce the entry fee from $7 to $5.

If the Haunted Barn wasn’t scary enough, the Ski Sprites Water Ski Team has a terrifying hospital for locals to explore. This “premiere Halloween attraction” runs from from 7-11 p.m., Oct. 25 through Oct. 28, at 415 S. Dewey St. Thrill seekers can enter for $10. A $1 discount is available for guests who bring a food donation for Feed My People. Tickets bought in advance at any Kwik Trip in Eau Claire and Altoona are $8.

Sometimes movies are the best way to get in the Halloween spirit. The Pablo Center is kicking off their film series “With a Twist” on Halloween night with a showing of “Young Frankenstein.” The film starts at at 7:30 p.m. in the Jamf Theatre. Tickets are for sale for $7 and Reservations can be made online ahead of time. There’s nothing like a Mel Brooks film to celebrate the Halloween season.

If you don’t want to leave campus, the UW-Eau Claire International Film Series is showing the horror and comedy movie “Things We Do in the Shadows” at 7 p.m on Oct. 26 in the Woodland Theatre.

In addition, from 8 p.m. to midnight on Oct. 27, the Lookout has a Halloween Movie Marathon for UW-Eau Claire students. Screenings include the recent cinema hit of “The Quiet Place” and the 2016 remake of “Ghostbusters.”

If that’s not enough movies to satisfy a horror movie buff, Micon Cinemas Downtown is there to serve up even more spooks. To mark the end of their “Fright Month” series, Micon will be playing “The Shining” at 11 p.m on Oct. 26 and Oct. 27. Admission costs $4.

For those 21 and older, there’s a Halloween Bash from 5 to 11 p.m. on Oct. 26 at the Lazy Monk Brewery. The event includes a costume contest, live music and the release of “Monster Monk Ale.”

Starting at 8 p.m. on Oct. 27, The Plus also has a dynamic night for students of age. Working with Clear Water Comedy and Showtime Championship Wrestling, The Plus presents Fright Club. Costume contests, live music, wrestling contests and roast battles are just some of the things in store for attendees. Guests can enter for a $10 at-door fee, or a $5 fee if paid beforehand.

If all else fails, locals can stick to the classics by trick-or-treating on Halloween night. Stay spooky, but safe, guys and ghouls.

Spierings can be reached at [email protected].