Businesses prepare for Trick-or-Treating in downtown La Crosse

Event runs 11-3 p.m. on Saturday, October 25

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — More than 50 local businesses are preparing for Trick-or-Treating in downtown La Crosse. The event runs from 11 to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Local artist Mike Martino of the La Crosse Arts Initiative worked on a sidewalk chalk drawing on Friday for the upcoming event.

You can see the “The Wizard of Teaze” artwork in front of Tease Salon and Barbershop on the corner of 5th and Jay Streets. Tease staff plan to dress up like the characters from “The Wizard of Oz” on Saturday.

Martino used sidewalk chalk, pastels and water to show Dorothy cutting the Lion’s mane, the Tin Man blow drying his mane and the Scarecrow giving the Lion a manicure. The yellow hair that’s cut from the Lion’s mane turns into the yellow brick road, which leads to Tease Salon and Barbershop.

“It’s about bringing the visual arts to downtown La Crosse,” Martino said as he worked on the outline of Dorothy’s face early Friday afternoon.

Martino and his fellow artists of the La Crosse Arts Initiative will be using sidewalk chalk on Saturday as part of the Trick-or-Treating event.

Downtown MainStreet Executive Director Robin Moses said the event is free and she’s expecting between 300-500 people to attend, especially families.  

“What we’re trying to do in our downtown district is create a place where people come, not just to shop or to dine, but to come with their families to experience their historic downtown and enjoy it,” Moses said.

For a list of downtown businesses participating in Trick-or-Treating, visit lacrossedowntown.com.