Halloween 5K, Trunk-Or-Treat Events Planned In Maple Grove

MAPLE GROVE, MN — A Minnesota nonprofit is set to host a race around Arbor Lake on Sunday morning to celebrate Halloween.

Anoka-based Charities Challenge is holding the 13th annual Halloween Fearless 5K at 9 a.m. Sunday. The race will start and finish at the old Claddagh Irish Pub, 7890 Main St. N., which is set to soon become a Max’s on Main sports bar.

Racers are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes to the event, which also features a two-kilometer walk around Arbor Lake.

Several Maple Grove businesses and organizations are planning trunk-or-treat events this weekend to help kids get in the Halloween spirit.

Burn Boot Camp, 14500 Weaver Lake Road, is hosting a trunk-or-treat from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday. Guests can pick up candy and vote on their favorite decorated trunks.

The MiniSota Play Cafe, 12055 Elm Creek Boulevard N., is throwing a Halloween party Sunday with prizes, games, candy, face-painting and more. The party is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and there is no need to register. Tickets cost $7 for kids under 1, $15 for kids 1-9 and $5 for adults.

The MiniSota Play Cafe is also having a Halloween party Friday night, but tickets have sold out.

Local businesses are set to hand out treats from 1-4 p.m. Saturday at the Maple Grove Community Center’s trunk-or-treat. The free event will also feature a pumpkin contest, activities and “big trucks,” according to an event posting.

The Eastman Nature Center is hosting its “Not So Spooky Mystery” event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, inviting families to “uncover the mysteries of animal adaptations and meet characters and puppets along the trail that leads to a surprising discovery.”

The nature center’s event will also have photo stations and a candy cannon. Reservations must be made by Thursday.

Maple Grove’s Church of the Open Door, 9060 Zanzibar Lane N., is inviting families to dress up and check out its trunk-or-treat event from 3-5 p.m. Saturday.

“Dance to the music, enjoy treats and get in on the fun as kids receive candy at each of our amazing, creatively decorated car trunks,” the church said in an event posting.

A trunk-or-treat at Maple Grove Covenant Church, 9350 Upland Lane N., is scheduled to run from noon to 1:30 p.m. Halloween Sunday, with hot chocolate, cider and popcorn on offer, as well as a scavenger hunt, according to an event posting.