It took place at the Baird Community Commons, which has transformed into "Halloween Village." Kids decorated pumpkins, had their face painted and danced to Kid Boogie Down, a Milwaukee-based DJ.

I'm the mom who loves Halloween. The family costumes, the spooky decor, and the trick-or-treating — it's all my jam. But the one part of it that I loathe is carving pumpkins. For starters, it can be ...