Schmeeckle Reserve Lights Up the Night for its annual Fall Candlelight Hike!

Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve will host its annual Fall Candlelight Hike on October 24 at 9:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. 

This year’s theme is “Schmeeckle Spies: Masters of Disguise,” featuring performances by University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point students, s’mores by the campfire, live raptors, and pumpkin-lit trails around Lake Joanis and face painting for the first time.  

Performances will take place at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Pankowski Friends Amphitheater. These two family-friendly performances will follow two spies as they recruit animals to help care for the reserve during the winter months. 

The Environmental Education and Naturalist Association (EENA) will lead educational stations about camouflage and nocturnal behaviors in nature. 

The community is invited to donate pumpkins or volunteer to greet guests, lead trails and help manage snack tables.  

The Fall Candlelight Hike began in the early 2000s, started by Ron Zimmerman and Jim Buchholz to raise awareness about the reserve.  

Friends of Schmeeckle begin preparations weeks ahead of the hike, including carving pumpkins for the trails and setting up torches. 

“It’s a great way to bring the community together. Walking the trails at night, surrounded by the glowing forest, is a truly beautiful and awe-inspiring experience,” said Alex Mentele, a graduate assistant for Schmeeckle.  

Mentele emphasizes the importance of taking the time to enjoy the experience.  

“I would say just come and enjoy. Walk the trails, and make sure that you take time. It can get so busy the night of that we staff often have to remind each other, like, go take a loop. Go enjoy it yourself,” Mentele Said.

Schmeeckle Reserve also hosts a Candlelight Hike each spring, typically during the first week of May. 

Schmeeckle Reserve will continue to host more activities and have more volunteer opportunities throughout the year. 

To learn more about Schmeeckle and the work of Friends of Schmeeckle, visit friendsofschmeeckle.org.

Abbey Holmes

News Reporter

aholm452@uwsp.edu