Halloween Attractions in and Around Whitewater Wisconsin

Rumor has it that Whitewater Wisconsin once used to be home to a coven of witches and that our local university was previously a school for the paranormal. None of this has been proven fully, as the rumor goes, the town council destroyed all evidence that any of this existed. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater did write an article in their paper the Royal Purple regarding some of the spooky folklore and legends of Whitewater's early years. The Morris Pratt Institution did once reside in Whitewater and did study the paranormal, and late Sundays nights, the school was known to practice séances. The school left Whitewater in 1946 but rumor has it that haunting in some of the dormitories and wings of the University still exist today. In 1970 on Halloween, a young woman's grave was disturbed and the coffin was found on the university grounds. Strange lights have been reported to been seen over the cemetery, underground tunnels are claimed to have been for witches to move throughout the town without being discovered and rumor has it witches still meet throughout the town of Whitewater. The most intriguing bit of folklore is regarding a book that is stored at the university's library under lock and key. The story goes that people who read this book went crazy and four people to kill themselves after reading it. So with the given rumors of Whitewater, wouldn't you think Halloween would be a big deal, with festivities, haunted houses, parties and all the other fun stuff that comes with Halloween? It should be a happening spot, but it isn't.

Whitewater Halloween consists of Trick or Treating and a Youth Halloween Party at the Downtown Armory on October 31 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The youth party consists of games and prizes for preschool to elementary aged kids and the cost is one canned good per child to go to the food pantry. Great cause, but no fear factor for adults.

So where does one go for a good haunting on Halloween around here; it's like anything remotely close to resembling haunting in Whitewater is taboo. Well, you can go to the Whitewater-University of Wisconsin if you dare, after hours, and hang out at the Center of Arts where it is claimed that strange noises and occurrence happen, or Clem Hall and listen to ghostly footsteps running the halls, ghostly laughs and chatter. In the Delta Zeta house you can listen to the creaking staircase but not see anyone walking on it, or in Fricker Hall observe the ghost of a previous student wandering the basement, or lastly, the Knilans Hall and meet the ghost of the old librarian who died there just a few years ago. Mind you, they are not open to the public just to wander, so you are entering on your own accord and risk spending your evening behind bars. So where can one go for a ghostly good time and not end up in jail? Well, the surrounding towns have picked up where Whitewater has dropped the ball. Here is a list of events happening in near proximity of Whitewater Wisconsin.

Eagle Wisconsin is housing for the first time ever a Pumpkin Party on October 25^th. There will be food, music, food drive, pumpkin contest and the Eagle historical Society will be presenting a display of Halloween costumes from 1970's era. This event is for all ages. Although this would be great to take the kids to, it doesn't pack much if any spook factor. You can read more about this event at http://www.eaglehistoricalsociety.org/index.html.

Now, shooting for a higher level of spook factor, Janesville Wisconsin houses the Fright Factory, a haunted house. The dates Fright Factory is open are October 3, 4, 10, 11, 17-19, 24-26, 29-31 and November 1^st . Admission is $8.00. A guaranteed fright you will not want to miss, Fright Factory gives you something to make the hair stand up on the back of your neck and give you the chills that Halloween is made for. For more information visit http://rockaquajays.org/.

Now Eugster's Farm Market and Petting Farm is not your typical petting farm. They put on the Eugster's Fall Festival, have 2 corn mazes (one 2 acres the other is 8 acres), a haunted machine shed, the Screamy Scary Silo (great for preschoolers), the petting farm, wagon rides, and great food. They are open 7 days a week from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and are located at 3865 Highway 138 in Stoughton, Wisconsin. For more information about Eugster's Farm visit www.eugsters.com.

For 11 years, Fright Hike has been scaring people who dare walk the one-mile trail. Fright Hike is located at Lapham Peak State Park in Delafield Wisconsin. The hike is open on October 31^st and November 1^st and admission is $5.00 for anyone 6 years old and up. For more information on this unique Halloween Hike, you can visit http://www.frighthike.com/frighthike_002.htm.

I guess it's not important that Whitewater doesn't go all out on Halloween; some feel like the town has a spooky aura to it year round as it is. Nevertheless, whatever you find yourself doing this Halloween, have a frightening ghoulish time!