Fifth Annual Creepy Critters Special Event

In celebration of National Wildlife Refuge Week join us for our fifth annual Creepy Critters special event! Anyone who dares to learn about bats, frogs, lamprey, moths, owls, snakes, bees and more is invited to attend a FREE “Creepy Critters” trick-or-treat event on Thursday, October 18th starting at 4:00 p.m. at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Visitor Center located on Brice Prairie.

This slightly scary adventure is appropriate for children and adults of all ages. Costumes are encouraged! Event activities will be held both indoors and outdoors; please dress for cold weather. The event will be held rain or shine.

4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Tantalizing Tales and Discoveries! Inside the Visitor Center, guests may enjoy “Creatures of the Night” – live programming by nature humorist David Stokes, face painting, and a “bat cave” where visitors can experience life as a mother bat seeking her babies through her sense of smell.

4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Creepy Critters “Trick-or-Treating.” Fill your brain with facts as you fill your bag with trinkets! Walk around our outside 1/3 mile trail loop while learning the truth behind myths of various “creepy critters” from our region. Live owls, falcons, lamprey, frogs, and a snake will also be on hand to contribute to the educational festivities. Step into puppet show tent for an interactive, imaginative performance!

7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: "The Unhuggables: Animals Nobody Loves" Join us in the multipurpose room for an exciting 60 minute live animal program presented by environmental educator, David Stokes. Seating for the program is first come, first served.

We would like to thank our sponsors and partners:

Friends of the Refuge – Mississippi River Pools 7 & 8, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Fisheries Center, the National Audubon Society, Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Mycology Club, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Western Technical College & WisCorps, as well as the many volunteers who support this event.

For more information, contact the La Crosse District Office at (608) 779-2399 or visit the facility located at N5727 County Road Z, Onalaska, WI. Visitor center hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The center is closed Sundays and all federal holidays. Information may also be found on the Refuge’s webpage: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/upper_mississippi_river/.

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