Jack-O-Lantern Jaunt & Halloween Haunt, Mukwonago

Jack-O-Lantern Jaunt & Halloween Haunt, Mukwonago is BACK in 2023!! The Jaunt/Haunt returns to Field Park in Mukwonago as in years past on Friday, October 13 from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm each day.

Returning for its 20th run, the Jaunt/Haunt has grown to be the community’s premier family event of the season. Organizers have expanded the attractions in the park over the years while keeping admission prices low and opting for decorations and themes that are suitable for even the youngest visitors. The cost is $2 for adults, $1 for children 12 and under, and free admission for babies – with additional donations to support local projects welcome.

For two nights, the paths of the park will be lit up by hundreds of carved pumpkins. Local businesses, groups, and organizations supply the jack-o’-lanterns and create the displays as a fun and inexpensive way to promote themselves in the community. Anyone is welcome to bring carved pumpkins to the park on October 15 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tea lights will be provided, but all businesses and groups are asked to set up their own pumpkins. Displays should include a sign with the name of the business or group. There is no fee to set up a display, with the only cost of participating being the supplies used to create a display. Those wanting items from their display must return to the park at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday to gather the items. Volunteers will dispose of any pumpkins left behind.

Volunteers will also transform the park’s pavilion into a not-so-haunted house complete with a story and cast of characters. Each day at 7 p.m., a double feature of quasi-horror films by Christopher Mihm will be shown in the park. This year’s movie title is “The Day the Earth Almost Abruptly Ended”. Anyone wanting to see the movie is asked to bring chairs. Other event activities include face painting, games, crafts, and fun photo opportunities. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase from a local Girl Scout troop as well as Scott’s Dog House and Sugar Spun Cotton Candy.

The entire event is planned and staffed by local volunteers, with all proceeds from this year’s Jaunt/Haunt staying in our community to fund the many causes supported by the Rotary Club of Mukwonago as well as Life’s Connection.  Presenting sponsors of this year’s event are the Rotary Club of Mukwonago and Citizens Bank.

With our thoughts turning to cooler weather, we are busy preparing for the Jack-O-Lantern Jaunt and Halloween Haunt!

Now in its 18th year, the Jaunt/Haunt has grown to be the community’s premier family event of the season. Low admission prices coupled with attractions and decorations suitable for kids of all ages make it a popular destination. And each year, we work to make the event bigger and better with the goal of raising funds for worthy local causes.

But, we need your help to make sure this year’s Jaunt/Haunt is a success! The entire event is put on by volunteers, including the people who carve the pumpkins to be displayed in the park. You can be a part of it all by bringing carved pumpkins to Field Park on Friday, October 15th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Not keen on carving a pumpkin? Pumpkins decorated otherwise are welcome as well. We will provide tea lights for all carved pumpkins. We do ask all businesses, groups, and organizations to set up their own displays and include a sign to label their displays. This year, we are also asking those with pumpkin displays to consider handing out candy or other treats as we will be encouraging kids who attend to trick-or-treat through the park.

There is no fee to display your pumpkins. The only cost you incur by participating is on the supplies you use to create your display. If you would like items from your display back after the event, they must be picked up from Field Park on Saturday, October 16th at 9:30 pm. We’ll be happy to dispose of any pumpkins left behind.

As in years past, three traveling trophies will be awarded – one for the best business display, one for the best civic organization display, and one for the best youth group display! We will also recognize the winners on the Rotary Facebook page.

All proceeds from this year’s Jaunt/Haunt will stay in our community to fund causes supported by the Rotary Club of Mukwonago as well as Life’s Connection. Cost-effective corporate sponsorships are also available with sponsors receiving recognition at the event, on the event website, and in social media posts.

Thanks,

The Jack-O-Lantern Jaunt Committee

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About:

The Jack-O-Lantern Jaunt was started in 2003 by Joline Palatino and Linda Forster, local sisters who wanted to raise money to replace the roof on the Red Brick Museum in Mukwonago. The Jaunt later teamed up with the Rotary Club of Mukwonago’s Halloween Haunt. Together the events have raised thousands of dollars for many causes in the area.

*Please dress for the weather as the event will not be cancelled due to rain.

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