Holiday magic
Skating under thousands of twinkling Christmas lights, with holiday music, hot cocoa, and Santa!
Ellsworth, Wisconsin · 501(c)(3) nonprofit
A little magic.
A stronger
community.
We bring people together through free community events, acts of kindness, and experiences that become cherished memories.
LOCAL HEART. COMMUNITY SPIRIT. ROOM FOR EVERYONE.
Over 2,500People attended our 2026 festival
FreeFestival admission & parking
One communitySo many ways to make a difference
The heart behind the magic
Good things happen
when we gather.
The Witch on West Warner Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Ellsworth, Wisconsin, founded by Melissa Nelson.
What began with a dream of a free community festival has grown into a way to connect neighbors, welcome visitors, and give people something wonderful to experience together.
With volunteers, local businesses, and community partners, we turn big ideas into moments of joy—and create opportunities to give back along the way.
More than a place to go.
A memory to share.
Our next big community dream
Fundraising now · Not yet purchased⛸️ Ice skating in July?!
In Wisconsin?!
One rink. Four seasons. Endless memories.
Imagine FREE skating for our community, any time of year. The Witch On West Warner Inc. is fundraising to purchase a portable synthetic ice skating rink that doesn’t need freezing temperatures or refrigeration!
Help bring the rink home
$25,000 goal
Every gift brings year-round community skating closer.
Amount raised: updates coming soon
We’ll update this thermometer as donations are confirmed.
Summer under the stars
Music, food trucks, and kids skating in shorts. Summer skating could become a new family tradition!
Halloween on skates
Glowing pumpkins, spooky music, and Halloween skating parties full of community spirit!
More reasons to gather
Valentine’s skate nights, spring celebrations, school events, and family skating parties!
Why buy instead of rent?
Our initial research suggests purchasing may cost only a little more than renting for a season. Why spend that money once when we could invest in something our nonprofit could use year after year?
With proper care and replacement parts, our goal is 20+ years of community fun!
Creating together
We’d love to partner with existing community events and organizations to make their celebrations even more special. And if that isn’t possible, we’ll create something magical of our own!
The best part
Our goal: completely free skating admission.
Every child deserves the chance to make wonderful memories, regardless of what their family can afford.
After seeing what our community accomplished with the Haunted Fairgrounds Festival, we believe we can make this dream happen too!
Help us make this dream a reality.
We’re looking for donors, business sponsors, and community partners to help purchase this rink. Every contribution, big or small, can bring us closer to something special for generations of families.
To support this project by check, please note “skating rink” with your donation. Mailing instructions are below.
Would you love to see this in our community? Please donate, share this dream, or tag a business that might want to help!
The Witch On West Warner Inc. is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations may be tax-deductible as permitted by law.
We’re investing in 20 years of family memories. ❤️
Creating experiences. Bringing communities together.
Our signature community event
The Haunted
Fairgrounds Festival
Big Halloween spirit.
Small-town heart.
Our 2026 festival welcomed over 2,500 people to the Pierce County Fairgrounds in Ellsworth for a day of Halloween fun, local vendors, and community connection.
From costumes and creative displays to shared laughter and food shelf donations, the festival showed what a community can build together.
Haunted attractionsCostume funLocal food & vendorsFamily activitiesMusic & entertainmentCommunity giving
Highlights reflect the 2026 event. The 2027 date, location, attractions, and schedule will be announced once confirmed. Admission and parking were free; vendor purchases and some activities were separate.
Memories from Halloween 2026
The magic we made together.
Costumes, creativity, and a community full of smiles. A look back at our first Haunted Fairgrounds Festival.
Take another spin through the memories.
Explore the 360° booth event gallery from the Haunted Fairgrounds Festival.
View our 360° booth videos ↗Opens our event gallery on Snap360 in a new tab.
Tap any photo to open the full image.
It takes a village
There’s a place
for your kind of magic.
A few hours, a helpful skill, a generous business—every contribution helps bring the next community experience to life.
01 / GIVE YOUR TIME
Join our community team
Help create community events, share your talents, and make a difference. Apply to become a community member and tell us how you would like to get involved.
Apply to join ↗02 / SHARE YOUR RESOURCES
Sponsor & donate
Help support free community experiences through financial gifts, supplies, equipment, or in-kind services. Check donations can be mailed directly to our organization.
Explore ways to give ↗03 / CREATE TOGETHER
Partner with us
Local organizations, businesses, and community groups can bring ideas, people, and talents to something bigger.
Start a conversation ↗Keep the magic growing
Your generosity.
Our community’s joy.
Community support helps us plan events, bring people together, and keep meaningful experiences accessible.
You can donate by check. Please make checks payable to The Witch On West Warner Inc. and mail them to the address below. For sponsorships or in-kind gifts, contact Melissa.
Contact us about giving ↗Donate by check
Please make your check payable to:
The Witch On West Warner Inc.
Mail your donation to:
The Witch On West Warner Inc.
442 West Warner St.
Ellsworth, WI 54011
The Witch on West Warner Inc. is recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Please include your return mailing address or email so we can send a donation acknowledgment. Thank you for supporting our community.
Email: hello@thewitchonwestwarner.org
Based in Ellsworth, Wisconsin
Follow us on Facebook ↗
A few helpful details
Good to know.
Is this organization only about Halloween?
The Haunted Fairgrounds Festival is our signature event. Our broader focus is bringing people together through community experiences, kindness, and opportunities to give back. Additional projects will be shared as they are confirmed.
How can I help with the next festival?
Complete our community team application to share your interests and how you would like to help. For sponsorship, in-kind support, or a community partnership, contact Melissa.
Where can I find 2027 event details?
Dates, venue details, schedules, and participation information will be shared when confirmed. Contact us with questions in the meantime.
Can my business participate?
We welcome conversations with local businesses about sponsorship, vendor opportunities, and practical support. Contact Melissa to ask about availability and arrangements for upcoming events.