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There are a few things happening in the area around Halloween time.

First and foremost, Chisago City is hosting its annual Falloween Festival on Saturday.  This is the 12th year the city has put on this wonderful family-friendly Halloween event. Make sure you come dressed in your costumes, because everyone else will be wearing theirs.  There are tons of events for the kids to take part in. There will be trick-or-treating, a magic show, wagon rides, a magic pumpkin hunt,  maze, face painting, music, crafts, games and a haunted house that is geared towards younger children.

The festival begins at 2:30 p.m. at Ojiketa Regional Park in Chisago City and runs until 4:30 p.m.  The event is free, BUT they are asking that you please bring toilet paper (4 roll packages or larger), and/or non-perishable food items.  

For the older kids and adults, there is something a little more on the scarier side.  The annual Ojiketa Haunt begins Friday night.  The theme this year is Urban Legends.  I admit it does have my curiosity, and as long as it is not scary clowns I will give it a try.  The haunt opens at 7 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m.  It will take place this Friday, Saturday and again October 30.  There is a gate fee of $5 per body, but if you bring  a package of toilet paper or a non-perishable food item, admission will then drop to $3.  

Speaking of Halloween, if you plan on staying home and handing out candy, you will probably be visited by some high school students.  Before you tell them they are a little too old for trick-or-treating, hear them out.  The Chisago  Lakes Honor Society will knock on doors soliciting homeowners for non-perishable food items, as well as shampoo, soap, and feminine hygiene supplies.  All items collected will be directly donated to the local food shelf. It is a wonderful gesture and a great way to help our needy brothers and sisters.  In fact, a good idea would be to get your items together this weekend and have them set aside. That way when the kids do show up, you won’t have to scramble to find some.

On Friday, October 30, you are encouraged to dress your kids up and head-up-town.  Businesses all along Highway 8 will be open from 3-7 p.m. handing out treats as well as offering great specials for Mom and Dad.  Please see page 5 for a list of the businesses participating. They will also have the pumpkin logo from the ad in their windows to let you know they are participating.  It is a great fun time offered by the local businesses.  I hope you come out and enjoy.

We here at the Press we are beginning to call businesses to advertise in one of our most popular tabloids we print all year. I am referring to the annual gift guide.  The guide is packed with great holiday ideas such as decorating and recipes to make your holidays unforgettable.  Included in the magazine will be wonderful businesses who have something different and special to offer you for the holiday season.  It may be merchandise that can go under the tree, or it may be services that can be enjoyed all year ‘round.  This is going to be our biggest and best Gift Guide we have ever produced.  If you have a business that would like to advertise and get your message out to over 100,000 people, please call or shoot us an email at [email protected].  We will be thrilled to help your business excel this holiday season and beyond.  Our phone number is 651-257-5115.  I look forward to talking to you.

Businesses, please make sure you are planning on attending the Chisago County Technology Summit.  It is October 30 at Splitrocks (Stars and Strikes) in Wyoming.  It runs from 8:30 until 10:30 with breakfast being served at 8.  There will be great speakers who know how to boost your business as well as a panel discussion on how Chisago County businesses are using technology.  

The event is free to Chisago residents and $10 for non-residents.  

You can register for the summit at www.chisagocounty.org.  I hope to see you there.

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