(Photos: by Stoughton Chamber of Commerce)

Halloween with Norwegian twist?

It could only be Stoughton, and the event (this coming Halloween weekend) is Destination Stoughton. The town wide festival incorporates many local institutions from the Stoughton Opera House to Livsreise and the internationally known, Stoughton High School Norwegian Dancers.

The celebration begins promptly at the Stoughton Opera House (381 E. Main St.) where audiences will be treated to an a performance by Pat Godwin. Godwin, an award-wining comedian has been featured on Howard Stern’s radio program, TV shows, and has appeared on Last Comic Standing and the Tonight Show.

Also on Friday just up the street from the opera house, the Livsreise will be open for the viewing of its traveling exhibit of paintings by Norwegian immigrant painter Herbjørn Gausta. And last but not least downtown businesses will be open so you can get a jump on Thanksgiving, Hanukah, Christmas shopping.

On Saturday, Destination Stoughton’s featured event will be the Wisconsin State Rosemaling Association’s holiday bazaar. The bazaar will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Stoughton Fire Department training room, 401 E. Main St., and will feature artwork that can be purchased.

Other Saturday events will include two lefse-making lessons offered by the Sons of Norway, and a virtual presentation from 1-2 p.m. about vampires in Nordic folklore that attendees can register for on Livsreise’s website.

Main Street Trick-or-Treat return to the downtown this year after a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the Stoughton High School Norwegian Dancers hold the usual Halloween activities, split between the Community Building at 320 North St. and along Main Street. From 1-3 p.m., the Dancers will judge Halloween costumes for children ages 0-12 and perform for them before they parade down to Main Street at 3 p.m. for trick-or-treating.

(Pictured above is the Stoughton Opera House)