The MUST-DO LIST
Pair fairs with scares this month in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Comedy Festival
Comedians from around the country are stopping by Cream City for this weeklong event.
This year’s headliner is Laurie Kilmartin, a quick-witted comedian with credits on “Conan” and Comedy Central and a book called Dead People Suck. Leave the tomatoes at home. Oct. 2-9, multiple venues; mkecomedyfest.com $
Holy Hill Art & Farm Market
Consider this shopping adventure a treasure hunt for art, vintage finds and locally made goods. Farmers will be there with produce and baked goods, and there will be live music, too. Be sure to spend some time soaking in the fall colors, as the Holy Hill area is one of the best spots around to enjoy the changing leaves.
Oct. 8-9; holyhillartfarm.com $
Empty Bowls
The concept of this Deer District event, where you buy a handmade bowl and fill it with free soup samples, is a reminder that someone’s bowl is always empty. Funds raised support food-insecure families via Friedens Community Ministries. Oct. 9; deerdistrict.com $ Sweetest Day Dinner on the East Troy Railroad
Sometimes overshadowed by its showy February cousin, Sweetest Day is an easy “holiday” to overlook, but this special train ride can make it memorable. Enjoy a three-course meal, all while chugging through some stunning rural Wisconsin fall foliage. Oct. 15; easttroyrr.org $
Boo at the Zoo
This trick-or-treat trail through the zoo features a bagful of fun for the little kiddos, including an animal-themed “Jack’s Path” full of hand-carved pumpkins and decorations recreating scenes from classic Halloween movies. The outdoor animals won’t be available for viewing, but fear not – there’ll be a presentation on creatures of the night, and you can slither on into the aquatic and reptile center. Oct. 20-23, milwaukeezoo.org $
Pumpkin Chuckin’
Prepare for airborne pumpkins shot out of a … catapult! For those who love to watch pumpkin guts explode all over asphalt, this is a must-see event. Oct. 29, Greendale High School; greendale.org