🎃 Skip the Halloween chaos 🎃


Friday October 31st | 6pm-9pm
Covered Shelter | Big Sioux Recreation Area 
410 W park street, Brandon, 57005


Mug & Moonlight Evening
✨ Beyond Halloween: A Samhain Gathering ✨


Friday, October 31st | 6pm-9pm
In Big Sioux Recreation Park, Brandon, SD

🍂 A Cozy Alternative to Halloween 🍂
Step away from the candy rush and the stress of traditional celebrations. Together, we’ll honor the spirit of Samhain—a time to slow down, gather, and connect—around a fire with warm cider, seasonal treats, and good company.





What is Samhain ?







Samhain (pronounced sow-in) is an ancient Celtic festival marking the end of harvest and the beginning of winter. It was seen as a sacred time when the veil between worlds grew thin, allowing for reflection, remembrance, and connection with both nature and community. Long before Halloween became commercialized, people honored Samhain with fire, food, and gatherings—celebrating the cycle of life, death, and renewal.

Growing up in France, Halloween was never really a thing! When my oldest daughter, Abigaelle, was born on October 31st, no one even mentioned it. The truth is, I’ve never liked the holiday—even after 15 years of living in the US. But when I discovered its roots in Samhain, I felt inspired to honor the deeper meaning of this season.



What You Will Experience


🍂 Evening Flow (6–9 pm) 🍂

This is a come-and-go gathering—join us whenever you like and stay as long as you wish.

  • 6:00 pm – Fire is lit, cider is warm, and seasonal food is ready to share.
  • 6:30–8:30 pm – Enjoy nourishing dishes, soft background music, and time around the fire. Pull a card from the oracle deck, play a board game, or simply settle into good conversation.
  • 9:00 pm – Fire winds down and the evening closes.
Throughout the night: good food, warm drinks, laughter, connection, and the cozy glow of autumn.

More About Big Sioux Recreation Area

🌲Big Sioux Recreation Area, located just east of Sioux Falls along the Big Sioux River, offers a serene natural setting with wooded trails, open prairies, and quiet spots by the water — an ideal place for reflection and connection. The park provides convenient parking near picnic shelters and well-marked paths, making it easy and comfortable to enjoy time outdoors. 

📍 We’ll be gathering at the covered shelter in the park (the only one of its kind). When you enter Big Sioux Recreation Area, drive straight until the end of the road and arrive at a crossing. Turn left at the intersection, and you’ll find the shelter right next to the playground.
Would you like me to also make a shorter version with emojis (for your event page or reminder email) so it feels easy to read at a glance?

🚗 Please note: a South Dakota State Parks day pass ($10 per vehicle) is required for entry unless you hold an annual pass.🍁

Join the Gathering

This is a cozy, come-and-go gathering, and your presence is what matters most. To help cover the cost of space, nourishing seasonal food, and the fire, we suggest a contribution of $20 per person.

If this amount feels out of reach, please come anyway—your participation is what makes the evening special.

Meet Sandrine Pilaz, Organizer

Sandrine Pilaz is a French holistic health coach, private chef, author, hospital chaplain and community builder based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Through her platform, Nourish Collective, she guides women—especially those in midlife—toward a life of balance, vitality, and authentic joy by integrating food, movement, and community. 

With a background in neuropsychology and certifications in health coaching, Sandrine offers a unique blend of expertise to support personal transformation. She is known for her nourishing meals at wellness retreats, such as Yoga Camp in the Black Hills, where she serves as the on-site holistic chef.  Her culinary approach emphasizes non processed, whole, and seasonal ingredients that promote well-being.

In addition to her culinary and coaching endeavors, Sandrine is the author of Simply French in America: Homemade Family Meals Made Easy, a book that combines her French heritage with practical guidance for healthy, home-cooked meals.  She also facilitates women's circles and community gatherings, creating spaces for connection and empowerment.

Sandrine's work is rooted in the belief that slowing down and simplifying life can make room for what truly matters. Through her various offerings, she helps individuals cultivate daily habits that nurture well-being, personal growth, and a sense of belonging.

✨ Come Home to Yourself — Reserve Your Spot Today!