RHINELANDER/NORTHWOODS AREA - Your kids could soon be eating frightening amounts of candy… That means you should take a moment to review some safety guidelines on how to keep Halloween spooky, but safe.


Conventional wisdom says, don't take candy from strangers. On Halloween the rules change, but you shouldn't throw caution to the wind, things can get downright scary if you're not careful.


"They're too excited about the candy and getting to the next house, they don't think to look before crossing a street. So, yes I think parents and drivers need to be extra cautious," said Tara Fredrick, a mother and day care provider in Rhinelander.

Dark clothes and costumes put kids more at risk. Police recommend carrying flashlights and keeping kids close at hand. If you're not with your child, make sure they stay with a group and you know where they are

"Older kids you should have a route set up where you know they're going to be and if they're not home at a certain time, we can retrace the route they were supposed to take," said Al Elvins, Tomahawk Police Chief.

If you hand a kid candy, chances are they'll eat it right away. Make sure they don't, and make sure you check it over first.

"We do go around to the families houses and we go to the grandmas and the aunts and uncles and they get a lot of candy from them so they're good to have some treats right away, and then that night, my husband and I can sit down and check over the rest of the stuff," said Fredrick.

And don’t forget about your pets. Halloween might be too scary for them.

“We’re recommending leaving pets at home because of strange costumes, things like that. If you have people coming to your house maybe have the pets out of reach, again it could scare them,” said Jeff Melau with the Rhinelander Police.

A number of Northwoods communities are holding Halloween celebrations this weekend.

In Rhinelander 50 downtown businesses will participate in trick-or-treating on Saturday October 27th from 2 to 4 p.m. Participating businesses will have an orange pumpkin in their window, and hand out candy to children. Door-to-door trick-or-treating will be on Halloween from 4 to 7 p.m.

Trick-or-treat in Tomahawk this Saturday, October 27th from 2 to 4 p.m. in the downtown area. There will also be two free matinees at the Tomahawk Cinema, with one in the morning and one at 1:30 p.m. There will also be a “Ghoulish Lanes” themed event at Striker’s Bowling Alley. City wide trick-or-treating will take place only on Saturday October 27th from 2 to 5 p.m.

Pine Lake Fire Department will host their Haunted Hall on Saturday October 26th from 5 to 8 p.m. at 4197 River Rd. Come for games, hot dogs and cake. Admission is free but they’re asking for donations of non-perishable food items for the food pantry.

Trick-or-treating in Sugar Camp will take place on Sunday, Oct. 28, from 5 to 8 p.m.

At the Three Lakes school the Lions Club will host a Halloween party starting at 6 p.m. Children should meet at the winery and then will parade to the school for the party. Trick-or-treating city-wide will take place after the party.

Trick-or-treat in downtown Minocqua on Wednesday October 31, from 3 to 6 p.m. City-wide trick-or-treating in Minocqua, Woodruff and Arbor Vitae is from 3 to 7 p.m.


Lake Tomahawk is holding the Children’s Halloween social on Saturday October 27th from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Sloan Community Center. There will be games, a coloring contest, crafts, candy and more. Those contributing a non-perishable food item will be eligible for a special drawing. Town-wide trick-or- treating will take place from 4 to 6 p.m.

The St. Germain, the Lions Club will host a Halloween party at the community center on Saturday October 27th at 6 p.m. The annual Oktoberfest is also on the 27th at the Black Bear Lodge from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come for a craft show, hay rides, pumpkin painting, door prizes, German food and polka music.

Manitowish Waters is holding a Kornstalk Karnival is planned on Friday, October 26th from 5 to 8 p.m. at the North Lakeland School. Come for a kids costume parade, concessions, treats, raffles and old-fashioned carnival games. Trick-or-treat at Manitowish Waters businesses on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. The Lions Club will also have a tent with bags of goodies for the kids.

Wausau Center will have Halloween in the mall on Wednesday, October 31st from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Children of all ages are welcome. Teens and adults should not wear any masks or makeup that covers the face.

Story By: Kailey Burton