Above / McGruff the Crime Dog keeps busy during Public Safety Month in Naperville. His commitments for October will wrap up when he meets and greets youngsters at the annual Trick or Treat at Safety Town on Sat., Oct. 29, 2016.
(Click here) for 2017 latest updates!
Thanks to the ever-growing cloud, this 2016 listing is saved in PN’s archive.
Above / Thanks, City of Naperville, for saving our ash so neighbors can enjoy the golden canopy along Sequoia Road and other parkways throughout town. Ridding ash trees of the pesky Emerald Ash Borer takes patience.
Small Sampling of 2016 Autumn & Halloween Events in Naperville
October is chock full of seasonal traditions and family-friendly events. No family is expected to do everything!
Trick-or-treaters and costume enthusiasts will be delighted with all the choices to experience Halloween events and family-friendly ways to run around Naperville until the last week in October.
Plenty is planned throughout the month for all ages with candy and spooky-themed seasonal events to resurrect the Halloween spirit of Naperville. Celebrate safely.
Remember! 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.
Halloween Trolley Rides, Trick or Treat at Safety Town, Ghost Stories in the Park, Naperville Plaza Family Fall Festival, Scare-illon Concert at Rotary Hill, Live Music and Costume Contest at Quigley’s Irish Pub, and Be a Hero for Hope 10K/5K, return October 2016.
Find pumpkins at The Growing Place, now celebrating 80 years!
Both Growing Place locations are filled with inspirational gardens, vast selections of plants, knowledgeable staff as well as entertaining and educational events for adults and kids. Explore the gift shop to discover thoughtful gifts, miniatures, and unique garden accents for the season. Purchase pumpkins for jack o’lanterns at The Growing Place located at 2000 Montgomery Road in Aurora and located at 25w471 Plank Road in Naperville.
Visit fall colors at Morton Arboretum now through Oct. 31
The Fall Color Festival at Morton Arboretum is the perfect place to bring the family for a fun day of outdoor exploration. From mystery dinners, a scarecrow trail and a hand blown glass pumpkin patch, activity is aplenty for all ages. Morton Arboretum, located in Lisle, is open all year round from 7AM – sunset, but the Fall Color Festival runs through October 31.
Halloween Costume Ideas for AllÂ
No matter what age, 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.
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!)
The recently opened Anderson’s Toyshop, located at 111 W. Jefferson, two doors east from the book store, also has fun ideas of Halloween costumes.
In addition, from 4 to 7PM Monday through Friday, Fifth Avenue Costumes at the School of Performing Arts is renting costumes this year so Halloweeners can be dressed up as a “one of a kind” character. For more information or an appointment, call (630) 717-6622 ext. 115. The new address for the School of Performing Arts is 1112 S. Washington Street (a little south from Gartner Road and across Washington Street from Naperville Plaza.)
Halloween Parties at the Y are Oct. 28, 2016
On Fri., Oct. 28, Kroehler Y in downtown Naperville and the 95th Street Fry Y will host a Halloween Party. The event is free to members. Pre-registration is required. A small fee will be charged for guests. For more information, visit www.napervilleymcas.com.
Autumn Events at Will County Forest PreserveÂ
Check out the calendar of events featuring fun activities and demonstrations at Whalon Lake. For more information, call (708) 534-8499 or visit www.reconnectwithnature.org.
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.
Scare-illon Concert at Moser Tower is Oct. 29, 2016
The Naperville Park District invites the community to enjoy free Halloween events beginning when City Carillonneur Tim Sleep and the Naperville Park District Élan Dance Company will perform at the Scare-illon. Head to the Millennium Carillon at Rotary Hill, 443 Aurora Ave., for a Halloween-themed concert on Sat., Oct. 29 and hear spooky and atmospheric pieces, featuring both classical and popular music from 7 to 8PM.  Enjoy free performance of Halloween-themed Carillon music and a series of fun, creative and seasonal dances. Park District staff will hand out glow sticks and candy to children for as long as supplies last.(See Halloween Happening on Sun., Oct. 30.)
Trick or Treat at Safety Town is Oct. 29
The Naperville Junior Woman’s Club will host its annual Safety Town Trick or Treat and Food Collection for Loaves & Fishes from 10AM to 2PM on Sat., Oct. 29. $1 per child and a nonperishable donation. Safety Town is located on the campus of the Naperville Public Safety Center, Aurora at River roads. For more info, visit www.napervillejuniors.org.
Fall Festival at Naperville Plaza is Oct. 29
At any time during October, stop by Naperville Plaza at Washington and Gartner to see the spacious addition at Oswald’s Pharmacy with lots of Halloween supplies and candy treats for sale, shop at Casey’s Foods for pumpkins and gourds where they also grill during lunchtime on the patio every Saturday and Sunday, and visit First Community Financial Bank, recent sponsors the 2016 Riverwalk Duck Race while getting other duckies in order to local charities.
Naperville Plaza is preparing for its annual Fall Festival, petting zoo and all, from 11AM to 2PM on Sat., Oct. 29, 2016.
Another lucky ducky game is planned inside First Community Financial Bank. Just ask Mary Jane Leisten, “Why a duck?”
In the spirit of public safety, always pay attention! Drive carefully.
Be a Hero for Hope in Costume on Oct. 30
Run, Walk, Run to have fun and raise funds for Family Shelter Service. Be a Hero for Hope is slated for Sunday, October 30, 2016. Consider the 1 Mile Competitive Run at 8AM / 5K and 10K Race at 8:15AM. The event will be held at Midwestern University in Downers Grove. Find complete INFO at  www.familyshelterservice.org.  Register now.
Downtown Halloween Hop is 10AM-Noon Oct. 30
Downtown Naperville hosts its popular Trick or Treat event from 10AM to Noon on Sunday, October 30.
Costumed goons and goblins, along with their parents, can wander door to door in the downtown business district and receive special 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.
Check in at Main and Jefferson in front of Two Boston’s Pet Boutique for all the last-minute details. Activities begin at 10AM and go until noon, or until the treats run out!
For participating downtown businesses, visit www.downtownnaperville.com.
Halloween Happening is Oct. 30
Halloween Happening is 1-4PM Sun., Oct. 30, 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 another FREE Naperville Halloween fest for kids ages 10 and under.
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 displays at Oswald’s for candy, stickers, glow sticks and other novelties that make great giveaways on Halloween evening.
Happy Halloween! Celebrate Safely.
Plan ahead for 2017 Naperville Pumpkin Race Festival at Rotary HillÂ
Memories of Oct. 15, 2016Â / Seven photos from the inaugural Pumpkin Race on Oct. 15 present pretty pictures of the potential of this popular new Naperville event with origins in California. Plan to participate on the track by Rotary Hill in 2017.
The family-friendly event promises even more fun next year. Just don’t try to disguise a cantaloupe or a watermelon as a pumpkin under the threat of being smashed.  (Click any photo to enlarge.)
[shareprints gallery_id=”65973″ gallery_type=”squares” gallery_position=”pos_center” gallery_width=”width_100″ image_size=”small” image_padding=”0″ theme=”dark” image_hover=”false” lightbox_type=”slide” titles=”true” captions=”true” descriptions=”true” comments=”true” sharing=”true”]Dozens of pumpkins and pumpkin-wannabees lined up in heats, usually three at a time, to run in Naperville’s first-ever Pumpkin Race hosted by Turning Pointe Autism Foundation.
Get ready to roll for 2017
All ages and abilities are welcome to race a pumpkin down Rotary Hill. Get ready and set to go roll for a cause with a pumpkin race set that includes two axles, four wheels and nuts and bolts and assembly instructions to hold the pumpkin you purchase at a local farm stand.
Be the first on your block to enter the first Pumpkin Race at Rotary Hill along the Riverwalk!
For more info, safety procedures and to check out the video about the Pumpkin Race, visit www.turningpointeautismfoundation.org.
Updates with the Cubs! Parody, too!
And there’s more…
Early Voting at the Naperville Municipal Center is now in progress. This 2016 campaign season, be sure to visit PN’s Election Guide to be prepared to vote on November 8, 2016.
Look forward with photo-enhanced stories every day on the Latest News. In addition to events and other happenings, find public meeting notices scheduled at the Naperville Municipal Center.
Check out PN’s Events Calendar for other events as well as to help plan next week and upcoming weekends.
This Sunday! Be a Hero for Hope Annual 10K/5K Run-Walk -8AM in Downers Grove.
Be a Hero for Hop is a 1 Mile Competitive Run at 8AM followed by a 5K and 10K Race at 8:15AM to benefit Family Shelter Service  / Complete INFO:  www.familyshelterservice.org.  Register at http://fssevents.org/.
On the navigation bar atop the Events Calendar, find calendars specific to Runs & Walks, Charity Golf (This page soon will be updated for 2017), Festivals & Traditions over the course of the year as well as this month’s Book Events hosted by Anderson’s, North Central College Performing Arts and happenings at Naper Settlement.
