Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17, 2009:

Our 16th Annual Event

To learn more, watch this 5-minute film: Click here if you have a dial-up connection.

Milwaukee Recreation’s “natural alternative” to the usual haunted houses is returning for another year. Family Fun at Halloween Glen encourages youth to learn about nature through a fun and interactive program in the outdoor setting of Hawthorn Glen, Milwaukee Recreation’s 23-acre nature center at 1130 N. 60th St. The program, now in its 16th year, will run every half hour beginning at 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, and 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17 (rain or shine).

“Families who attend Halloween Glen should expect a fun outdoor experience with an educational twist,” says Assistant Recreation Supervisor Kevin Reed. “We’ve hired actors to dress up as wild creatures, but they won’t be scaring anyone. Instead, this talented group will present interactive skits at eight elaborately decorated stations along the luminary-lighted trails of Hawthorn Glen at night. This year’s theme will focus on Nature’s Outcasts: those slimy, stinky characters with bad reputations. Find out who’s mischievous & who’s misunderstood, follow your nose to the skunk burrow, find some leeches who really get attached to the people they meet, and hang around with our bats.”

The program will run every half hour beginning at 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17 (rain or shine). Please call 647-6050 with further questions.

After your journey, you can watch some Halloween cartoons on the big screen or make a craft to take home. Refreshments, including pretzel bones, witches' brew, and hallow-weenies, will be sold for goblin!

Check out what some of last year's guests said about Halloween Glen:

"It's fun, entertaining and educational."
"It's great fun for kids -- educational and yet not too scary."
"It is always a fun, inexpensive way to enjoy a fall night for the whole family."
"We come every year -- wouldn't miss it!"

Families with children between the ages of 4 and 12 will enjoy the program most, but everyone is welcome to attend for $5.00 per person (children 3 and under may attend for free). Participants must register in advance by completing the registration form in Milwaukee Recreation's Activity Guide. Because parking is limited at Hawthorn Glen, all participants must park at MPS Central Services, 5225 W. Vliet St., and use the free shuttle service to and from the event.

Call (414) 647-6050 for more information.