In the month of October, there are many local fall activities to attend. Certain events have the added bonus of supporting student organizations and the community. Two of them are the Field of Screams Haunted Barn and Trail and Family Fun Days, both taking place at the Rockin’ T-R Ranch in Eau Claire.
Jodi Thesing-Ritter, a member of this family farm, is also the director of the Center for EDI Training, Development and Education and an instructor of Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies at UW-Eau Claire. She is also a coordinator of the Civil Rights Pilgrimage (CRP).
According to Thesing-Ritter, the Haunted Barn was started 12 years ago by her daughters and their 4-H club. They were aiming to raise money for Feed My People, a food bank program in west central Wisconsin.
“Now it has become so big that we have to involve other youth organizations and student groups,” Thesing-Ritter said. “Their brothers have followed in their sisters’ footsteps to continue the event. We have loved watching it grow each year.”
Thesing-Ritter is also an adult leader of the Pleasant Hill Go-Getters, a team manager for the Warehouse Warriors and an advisor of the 4-H Older Youth Council. All of these groups work together to execute the events and receive part of the proceeds.
The theme of this year’s Haunted Barn and Trail is based on the slasher film series, “Wrong Turn.” According to Thesing-Ritter, the barn will include different scenes from the movies.
This event will be held from 7-10 p.m. on Oct. 12, 17-19 and 24-26. The cost is $20 per person or $18 with a non-perishable food item. It is not recommended for young children.
“The Haunted Barn is the best haunted event in the area and students rave about how much fun it is,” Thesing-Ritter said. “This year we’ve expanded the event to more areas on the farm, and we can’t wait to share it with the community.”
The CRP coordinators will help out as scare actors in the barn, according to Thesing-Ritter. The team is fundraising for their 2025 trips so they can provide meals and activities for their peers. Throughout the year, they also coordinate bake sales and other events to keep the CRP affordable.
Students involved in UW-Eau Claire’s Fostering Success program will also be volunteering as scare actors for a night at the Haunted Barn, according to FranChesca Riley, the student services coordinator.
“It is my desire to give students full agency in their experience and simply assist them in creating memories and new opportunities,” Riley said. “I think I am most looking forward to watching students connect with each other as well as engage in the community.”
The Fostering Success students are working to raise money for the monthly Meaningful Meals. According to Riley, they are also aiming to receive funds for the campus store — which offers free hygiene, household and school supplies — and financial scholarships specifically for the students in the program.
The Blugold Winter Guard will also be working to raise money for their events.
Another event at the Rockin’ T-R Ranch this month is Family Fun Days, which will include games, a corn maze, a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving and painting, face painting and more.
This was added during the 2023 season to provide more day activities for families, according to Thesing-Ritter.
“UW-Eau Claire students will also really enjoy the daytime activities on Saturdays and Sundays in October,” Thesing-Ritter said. “At just $10 for admission, it is a fun way to get off campus and enjoy fall fun in the Chippewa Valley.”
This event is recommended for all ages, and children under the age of two get in for free. It will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Oct. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 and 26.
According to Thesing-Ritter, Field of Screams was able to donate 2,000 pounds of food and $5,000 to Feed My People last year, and the 4-H organizations used some of their proceeds to engage in service projects throughout the year.
“It’s a great low-cost opportunity to engage in the community,” Riley said. “Not only does the money raised go toward some incredible programs, but it is also an opportunity to network at a fun event.”
Matczak can be reached at [email protected].
