Whether pumpkin, pirate, police officer, superhero or vampire, plenty is planned for all ages in costume to fill their trick or treat bags at spooky-themed events aimed to resurrect the Halloween spirit of Naperville. So put on a costume, just for the fun of it, and join the annual celebration. Just celebrate safely!
For starters, thousands of trick or treaters embarked on downtown Naperville and Safety Town where families found happenings before and after lunch in downtown Naperville.
Halloween Week
All week, Halloween festivities continue throughout the local landscape where seasonal, sometimes spooky decorations have become attractive exhibits of wit and wisdom from neighborhood to neighborhood by day and by night.
Another big event is set for Saturday at Naperville Plaza from 11AM-2PM when a fall festival theme will welcome kids and kids at heart in Halloween costumes to enjoy a petting zoo and many fun trick or treat opportunities hosted by merchants throughout the shopping destination.
Kids are welcome to stop by Oswald’s Pharmacy for glitter tattoos and other surprises. And adults can venture over to Peterson’s Wines for a sample of spirits.
Youngsters also will be able to meet first responders and see a Naperville firetruck, Naperville police car and Edward Hospital ambulance up close. (Note to parents: Please prepare kids that in the event of an emergency, the vehicles could be called to respond.)
Above / Enjoy wit and wisdom in the yard displays along Raintree in the Countryside subdivision.
Halloween Costume Ideas
More than half the fun of Halloween is coming up and dressing up with an original costume. Find plenty of gently-used clothing and accessories, from the basics to high fashion and from head to toe at Second Chance Resale Shops. Family Shelter Service owns and operates the Second Chance Resale Shops in two locations. One store in Tower Crossings is located at 1512 N. Naper Blvd., Suite 172 Naperville. A second store is located at 1131 Fairview Ave. in Westmont. (Open Monday-Saturday)
Or if your dog needs a costume, stop by Dog Patch Pet and Feed. You just might find a fun outfit or seasonal scarf! Dog Patch is located at 1108 E. Ogden. (And remember their annual bird seed sale is all during the month of November!)
Carve or Decorate Pumpkins
For the Library… Carve, decorate or paint a pumpkin and then send a photo of it to TeenSpaceNPL@gmail.com for a chance to win a prize. Entries, which must be received by midnight on Saturday, October 31, will be shared on the library’s Instagram accounts. Include the pumpkin designer’s name, grade and phone number along with the photo. For more information, visit www.naperville-lib.org.
Happy Halloween!
The following events and festivities are simply a sampling of Halloween events planned from Oct. 25-31, 2015. The events marked “Finished” are annual traditions likely to return next October.
Above / Just finished with downtown Halloween tours, the Naperville Trolley will be ding dinging in the Little Friends Parade of Lights on Nov. 29 and to show folks the city’s grand illumination all during December. Trolley-la-la-la La-la-la-la!
Finished! Downtown Halloween Hop
Downtown Naperville hosts its popular Trick or Treat event on Sunday, October 25 at a new time, 10AM to Noon.
Costumed goons and goblins, along with their parents, can wander door to door in the downtown business district and receive candy treats. In addition to sweets and other goodies, families also can hop on board the Trick or Treat trolley which will be circling downtown, free of charge. Ding! Ding!
Enjoy the costumed characters and photo opts, too, at the Main Street Promenade. Activities begin at 10AM and go until noon, or until the candy runs out! For complete details including all participating downtown businesses, visit www.downtownnaperville.com.
After Halloween Hop, discover all kinds of tricks and treats are planned locally, all the way to a fall festival at Naperville Plaza on Oct. 31. Families also can enjoy outdoor concerts at Rotary Hill and Wentz Concert Hall, 5K races and more in between.
Finished! Be a Hero for Hope in Costume on Oct. 25
Run, Walk, Run to have fun and raise funds for Family Shelter Service. Be a Hero for Hope is slated for Sunday, October 25, 2015. Consider the 1 Mile Competitive Run at 8AM / 5K and 10K Race at 8:15AM. The event will be held at the Athletic Field in Downers Grove. Find complete INFO at www.familyshelterservice.org. Register at http://fssevents.org/.
Finished! Trick or Treat at Safety Town is Oct. 25
The Naperville Junior Woman’s Club will host its annual Safety Town Trick or Treat and Food Collection for Loaves & Fishes from 10AM to Noon on Sun., Oct. 25. $1 per child and a nonperishable donation. For more info, visitwww.napervillejuniors.org.
Finished! Halloween Happening is Oct. 25
Halloween Happening is 1-4PM Sun., Oct. 25, at the Naperville Riverwalk’s Grand Pavilion area where little goblins, ghouls, witches and fairies, too, are invited to Halloween Happening. Come and enjoy lots of fun activities, games, and goodies at Naperville’s best FREE Halloween fest for kids ages 10 and under.
Finished! Hayrides at Knoch Knolls is Oct. 25
Registration for fall hayrides is open for both Seager Park and Knoch Knolls Park each weekend in October. A special Halloween Hayride is scheduled for Sunday, October 25 at 4PM at Knoch Knolls Park. Everyone is invited to dress up in a costume and each child receives a goody bag. For more information, visit www.napervilleparks.org.
Finished! Halloween on the Riverwalk is Oct. 28
Children of all ages and their caregivers can dress in costume and enjoy Halloween fun from 4:30 to 5:15PM at the Riverwalk Amphitheater across Jackson Avenue from Nichols Library, 200 S. Jefferson Ave., on Wednesday, October 28. Enjoy stories, songs and a puppet show. For more information, visit www.naperville-lib.org.
Halloween Party at the 95th Street Y is Oct. 30
After last week’s festivities at Kroehler Y, this week from 6-8PM Fri. Oct. 30, the 95th Street Y will host another round of fun. Their Halloween Party is free to members. A small fee will be charged for guests. For more information, visit www.napervilleymcas.com.
Fall Festival at Naperville Plaza is Oct. 31
Stop by Naperville Plaza at Washington and Gartner to see the spacious addition at Oswald’s Pharmacy with lots of Halloween supplies and candy for sale, shop at Casey’s Foods for pumpkins where they grill during lunchtime on the patio every Saturday and Sunday, and visit First Community Financial Bank where they recently celebrated their first $1 billion in assets!
Above and Below / Naperville Plaza is preparing for its annual Fall Festival, petting zoo and all, from 11AM to 2PM on Halloween, Sat., Oct. 31. (PN File Photos)
Or venture north or south along Route 59.
And in the spirit of public safety, always pay attention, especially on Halloween evening! Drive carefully.
DSO Halloween Concert x 2
The DuPage Symphony Orchestra performs its “Halloween Concert,” featuring costumes and storytelling by the musicians, at 10:30AM and again at 12:30PM on Saturday, October 31 in the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Avenue. For more information, call (630) 637-7469 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.
Door-to-door Trick or Treating is Oct. 31
Residents are reminded to stay safe while trick-or-treating. Recommended trick-or-treating hours on October 31 are 4:30-8PM. If you still need a stash of treats for the costumed kids likely to arrive at your doorstep, check out the shelves in the candy section at Oswald’s.
For safety information see Julie Smith’s column Focus on Safety – Halloween Tips and Treats or visit the City of Naperville’s website at www.naperville.il.us/halloween.aspx.
Happy Halloween! Celebrate Safely.
UPDATED / Oct. 29, 2015
