On Saturday, October 24, the annual Finland Halloween Carnival came alive with a delightful mix of cute, fun, and spooky characters. The event offered a wide range of activities for attendees of all ages.
Young thrill-seekers flocked to timeless carnival classics like Pick-a-Fish, the Lollipop Tree, and the Fishing Pond before testing their courage at the day’s ultimate highlight: the haunted house. Those brave enough to cross the threshold came face-to-face with a wicked witch and a terrifying clown, prompting dozens of ecstatic kids to line up for multiple trips through the spine-tingling attraction. Meanwhile, the mystical fortune-telling tent offered a mesmerizing glimpse into the future, inviting curious guests to put their own psychic abilities to the test. The biggest surprise, however, sat right beside the crystal ball: Squeakers, the fortune teller’s adorable puppy assistant, who happily traded free, luck-infused snuggles for good fortune.
Throughout the event, attendees joined in on the traditional Cake Walk, which is always a crowd favorite. Thanks to the generosity of local bakers, there was a vast array of delicious treats for winners to choose from. And when it came to concessions, no carnival would be complete without classic treats: hot dogs, nachos, cotton candy, chips, and drinks, which were available throughout the party.
The costume contest was another main attraction, with nearly every child participating. Trophies were awarded for Most Original Costume, Scariest Costume, and Cutest Costume across different age groups. Some of the winners included a tiny ice cream cone, Zorro, a flying dinosaur eating a hamburger, and a creepy character with a death stare. One crowd favorite was a wagon decorated as a Jurassic Park animal cage, featuring a toddler dressed as a dinosaur inside and an older sibling dressed as a T-Rex. It was truly a creative and hilarious idea! It’s wonderful to see the personality and imagination the kids put into their costumes.
An event of this scale requires immense planning, including weekly committee meetings and dozens of dedicated helpers. Some volunteers spent weeks organizing and setting up, while others ran games, sold food, tickets, and managed activities on the day of the carnival.
A special acknowledgment goes out to all the volunteers who made it all possible:
Arlene Conzelman, who worked tirelessly to pull the event together and was the key organizer. Volunteers: Stacy Breden, Senja Ahlbeck-Bates, Sisa Nikula, Ron VanBergen, Laura Kallinen, Sarah Carter, Kyle Flack, Betsey Mead, Kurt Mead, Krista Starkovich, Julie Meyers, Kelly Ulrich, Jenni Yandrasits, Chrissy Haselow, Debbie Ahlbeck, Liz Wilde, Sugar Goette, Finn Nikula, Amy Nikula, Carrie Walters, Bonnie Tikkanen, Steven George, Pam Melby, Kaare Melby, Laurie Melby, Dave Geist, Sarah Anderson, Trish Harrison, Terry Perfetto, Peggy Haselow, Jeff, Yvonne, and Carrie A. Along with any other volunteers who may have been missed.
An equal acknowledgment of gratitude goes out to the spontaneous volunteers who stepped up on the day of the event, as well as everyone who donated time, candy, and supplies. Every single contribution was crucial to making this event a reality.
The Finland Halloween Carnival is also made possible by its key annual sponsors: Zup’s, Northwoods, Thrivent, Finland Co-op, AmericInn of Tofte
This carnival is a cherished tradition that the local youth absolutely love attending year after year. For those of us who grew up enjoying the 1980’s Halloween carnivals at the Reunion Hall, it is heartwarming to see this generation building those same lasting memories.
The Finland Halloween Carnival Committee is always looking for new volunteers to share ideas and assist with future events. With everyone working together, this and many other great community traditions will continue to thrive for years to come.
Have a Safe and Happy Halloween, everyone!
