WICKED FUN: Forage and ECMM to Host Halloween Shindig

the local organizations are partnering to throw their first-ever party in downtown Eau Claire

McKenna Scherer

GET YOUR PARTY SHOES – AND COSTUMES – ON. Forage and the Eau Claire Makers Market are collaborating on a Halloween bash, a first-time event for the duo. (Photo via Unsplash)
GET YOUR PARTY SHOES (AND COSTUMES) ON. Forage and the Eau Claire Makers Market are collaborating on a Halloween bash, a first-time event for the duo. (Photo via Unsplash)

Having worked shoulder-to-shoulder since the Eau Claire Makers Market’s (ECMM) very first shindig in early 2022, it isn’t shocking Forage and ECMM continue to collaborate; it was a spooky delight, though, when the duo announced they will be throwing a Halloween party at Forage in downtown Eau Claire on Oct. 28 at 9pm.

Announcing the jamboree via social media on Sept. 1, the two local groups have offered a few hints at what will come, including Halloween party staples like a costume contest and cocktails, plus some special additions like a photo booth and disposable cameras. 

Though they’re keeping further deets on the down-low for now, Forage Events Manager Lydia Park said folks should keep up with their social medias at the beginning of October for some “special updates.” (We’re pickin’ up what she’s puttin’ down). 

“It’s been an absolute joy for Forage to collaborate with all of the fantastic folks at ECMM. Lexi and I connected immediately over our similar motives relating to community supported arts and engagement,” Park explained. “We dream big and try to put those dreams to action. The upcoming Halloween party is a perfect example of just that.”

After Lexi Kane, co-founder of ECMM, reached out to Forage with the initial brewing of a Halloween party, the ball kept rolling from there. “This event is going to raise the bar for both organizations,” Park said. 

Kane explained they reached out to Forage about the then-potential Halloween party out of the fact she and her friends don’t necessarily love the usual downtown bar and party scene. “As a twenty-something recent graduate here in Eau Claire, I find that there aren’t a lot of events geared towards my friends and I,” they explained. “Not only because my friends and I are mostly queer, but we’re also in a weird transitional time in our life. I feel a little too old to be partying college bro’s basements, but too young – and broke – to go to places like DIVE or even Reboot Social.” 

A bit selfishly, she admitted, she wanted to be able to party somewhere she knew would guarantee a fun time, and be an accessible space for all. Though Kane wouldn’t divulge any further details about the party either, she did share Kim Petras’s Halloween album will certainly be in the music circulation that night. 

Though no further holiday parties are yet planned for the year, it isn’t out of the question, Park and Kane agreed. 

“I think we should have more parties in general,” Kane said. “I kind of want to throw a party when my car hits 100,000 miles. It’s important to find reasons to celebrate. I think if we continue to host events together it own’t be limited to holidays, but by what needs to be celebrated.”

Advance tickets are already available online at just $8 a pop online, tickets at the door set for $10.


Follow Eau Claire Makers Market and Forage on Instagram (@ecmakersmarket | @forage.ec) to keep up with them, and visit their Square site to purchase tickets.