Fall Downtown Fest & Casket Races in Beaver Dam, WI

Autumn in Beaver Dam comes alive with thrills, chills, and seasonal fun at the Fall Downtown Fest & Casket Races. Downtown transforms into a Halloween wonderland full of family-friendly activities, spine-tingling competitions, festive costumes, and more. Here’s everything you need to know to join the fun.

What to Expect

From early morning through evening, the festival features:

• Vendor Market & Food (9 AM – 2 PM)
  Local artisans and vendors showcase handmade crafts, seasonal goods, and holiday gift ideas at The Watermark. Eat local fare, browse unique items, and kick off your fall shopping.
  

• Trick-or-Treat Downtown (10 AM – 3 PM)
  Downtown businesses and organizations open their doors for trick-or-treaters. Themed decorations, scarecrows, and festive storefronts set the mood for a safe, candy-filled stroll.
  

• Costume Contests & Parade (10 AM – 3 PM)
  Dress to impress! Kids, adults, and groups can enter costume contests. A kids’ costume parade kicks off at 2 PM following the first heat of the Casket Races.
  

• Family Fun & Halloween Activities (10 AM – 3 PM)
  Pumpkin decorating, arts & crafts, pumpkin bowling, scavenger hunts, and more fill the day with creative, spooky fun for all ages.
  

• Chamber of Mystery (10 AM – 3 PM)
  At the Beaver Dam Chamber & Visitor Center, step into mystery, solve puzzles, and enjoy spooky surprises.
  

• Witches’ Dance & Grand Procession
  Catch the witches’ dance performances at 10 AM and again following the Grand Procession (1:00 PM) on South Spring Street. The Grand Procession kicks off at 1:00 PM, featuring witches, LOTR characters, and casket racers.
  

• Casket Races (1:30 PM)
  The highlight event: teams race elaborately decorated caskets down South Spring Street. Prizes are awarded for speed and spirit/creativity. Voting proceeds partially benefit the Boy Scouts.
  

• New! Inflatable Costume Races (12:30 PM & during 2nd heat)
  Imagine T-Rexes, unicorns, and sumo wrestlers wobbling in a fun 120-yard dash. Ages 14+, $5 registration, cash prizes await winners.
  

• Creepy Doll Contest
  Sponsored by the Dodge County Historical Society, contestants bring their eeriest dolls for a chilling display and judging.
  

• One-Mile Costume Fun Run (8:00 AM start)
  Get your day started with a 1-mile run (or walk) in costume. All ages welcome; candy awaits participants.
  

• Monster Bar Crawl (5:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
  For adults seeking nightlife with a twist: dress in costume, enjoy Halloween-themed drinks, music, costume contests, and more across local bars. A courtesy shuttle runs between stops.