Winners from the costume contest included, from left, grand prize winner Nova Valorshon, of Hager City, dressed as a Mushroom Queen (ages 9-17); Jill Halvorson, of Hager City, and Layla Ingli, of River Falls, dressed as Dumb and Dumber (group costume); Christy Aufderhar, of Beldenville, as Little Shop of Horrors (adult category); and Sydney Hove, of Ellsworth, as a giant Dachshund (ages 8 and under). Not pictured: Zach Sloan, of Beldenville, dressed as Freddy (ages 9-17 finalist).
Sarah Nigbor
Visitors to the inaugural Haunted Fairgrounds Festival, held on Halloween at the Pierce County Fairgrounds in Ellsworth, were greeted by a photo worthy arch leading into the festivities.
Sarah Nigbor
Sheila and Samantha Eggen greeted visitors with an imaginative haunted dump truck display. People could vote for their favorite decorated display by using a QR code and their phones.
Sarah Nigbor
Pumpkin Queen Julie Baggenstoss roamed the Haunted Fairgrounds handing out prizes and coupons to those she found deserving of her treats.
Sarah Nigbor
The Haunted Fairgrounds, as seen down the vendor alley, was packed with people from 2-8 p.m.
Sarah Nigbor
Brooke Geisness, of Baldwin, was dressed as Elphaba, while daughters Mazie, 2, was Chase from Paw Patrol, and Everly, 4, was Glinda.
Sarah Nigbor
Carol Matara, of River Falls, created a magic potion at the YB Urban? booth. The scent she chose was pine, with a dash of glitter.
Sarah Nigbor
Visitors had the chance to make their very own slime concoctions at the slime bar.
Sarah Nigbor
Austin Mahanke, from O’Connell Family Funeral Home, brought an authentic casket and hearse to the trunk or treat. Ten-week-old daughter Eleanor Rose was his assistant.
Sarah Nigbor
Ellsworth Area Ambulance Service offered ambulance tours to children, complete with treats and looks at the equipment EMTs use.
Sarah Nigbor
Madison Welch, Raymond King and Zayden King, age 2, made a spectacular family pirate trio, complete with a pirate ship.
Sarah Nigbor
Jalaine Bauman, of Maiden Rock, checking out the Podunk Funeral Home display at the Haunted Fairgrounds.
Contributed photo
The pumpkin carving contest inspired six artists to share their creations for a chance to win the cash prize. Winners were chosen by festival goers who voted by QR code. Abbie Flynn, of Maiden Rock, won the grand prize with her "moo-kin."
Sarah Nigbor
From left: Dawn Benoy, her niece Brooklynn Lecheler, and family friend Amanda Moss had a blast dressing up and checking out the event’s offerings.
Sarah Nigbor
The Haunted Maze, complete with authentic scare actors and a talking skeleton, drew the attention of this little unicorn.
Sarah Nigbor
One of the decorating contest entrants paid homage to breast cancer and epilepsy awareness months with pink and purple pumpkins.
Sarah Nigbor
The Podunk Cemetery came complete with an electric chair and plenty of inhabitants inviting visitors to “beware.”
Sarah Nigbor
