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Naperville
Thursday, March 28, 2024

During October, sunsets seem to highlight local event scene

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Above / October sunsets are pretty amazing right here in Naperville, Illinois, even after eight inches of a surprise downpour produced a 100-year flood over the weekend. What’s in the evening forecast this week?

Small Sampling of 2017 Autumn & Halloween Events in Naperville

October is chock full of seasonal traditions and family-friendly events. Don’t be frightened by all the opportunities. No family is expected to do everything!

Please note this post features special October events beginning Oct. 19. For planning purposes in 2018, consider that most October themed events will return about the same time next year.

Find pumpkins at The Growing Place, now celebrating 81 years!

Get carving!

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.

Check out special events at The Growing Place located at 2000 Montgomery Road in Aurora. In Naperville, The Growing Place is located at 25w471 Plank Road.

Purchase a plump pumpkin, plan to paint or carve it to participate in upcoming competitions on Oct. 19 and/or Oct. 28, or simply light it on your front doorstep for Halloween.

Regional Economic Forecast / 4PM Oct. 19

Hotel Arista At CityGate Centre / 2139 CityGate Ln.

The annual autumn event focused on the Regional Economic Forecast, co-hosted by the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce and Calamos Investments, will be held from 4-6PM Thurs., Oct. 19, at Hotel Arista At CityGate Centre.  Every year the event features a panel of industry experts who share their unique insight and analyses of market conditions for the coming year.

This year’s panel includes experts John P. Calamos Sr., Founder, Chairman and Global Chief Investment Officer of Calamos Investments; Gus Faucher, Chief Economist for the PNC Financial Services Group; and Caroline L. Harris, Vice President, Tax Policy & Chief Tax Policy Counselor for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business federation.

Formerly a breakfast, this year’s Regional Economic Forecast will include light appetizers and two drink tickets, with networking following the program. Registration begins at 3:30PM, with the program beginning promptly at 4PM.  Note that seating this year is theater style unless a table of 10 is purchased. Register online. Members are $50 each. Nonmembers are $75.

 CAPS Dinner at Meson Sabika / 6PM Oct. 19

The Fire Department Recognition Dinner hosted by Citizens Appreciate Public Safety (CAPS) will take place at 6PM on Thurs., Oct. 19, 2017, in the Pavilion at Meson Sabika, 1025 Aurora Ave.  With nominations from the community (Due by Oct. 1), CAPS Awards recognize Naperville Fire Department personnel for outstanding service.

Space is limited and tickets are available for purchase for $30 at the Fire Department Administration Office, 1380 Aurora Ave., or by calling Ruthi Sommers at (630) 305-5900.

For more information about CAPS, visit www.napervillecaps.com.

Enter Naperville Jaycees Hack the Jack at All Hallows Eve by Oct. 19

Good gourd, what will Jaycees think of next?

The Naperville Jaycees will host the inaugural Hack the Jack pumpkin carving contest beginning with entries on Oct. 19. After three days of visitor voting on Oct. 20-21 during Hallows Eve at Naper Settlement, winners will be named during the Fall Festival at Naperville Plaza on Oct. 28.

Individuals are welcome to enter a pumpkin into the contest for a $15 entry fee. Pumpkins must be brought to the parking lot behind the Martin Mitchell Mansion at Naper Settlement from 4:30 to 9PM on Thursday, Oct. 19. Every pumpkin must be fully carved and decorated prior to submission, ready for the exhibit.

2017 Kids’ Best Friend Benefit and Awards / Oct. 20

The Education Center will honor local Rotary clubs and community leaders at its annual Kids’ Best Friend Benefit beginning at 5:30PM Fri., Oct. 20, at the Hilton. This year’s awards and winners include Kids’ Best Friend Award – Tom M. Carroll, Executive Vice President and CAO (retired), RR Donnelley; Making a Difference Award –The Rotary Club of Naperville, The Rotary Club of Naperville/Sunrise, and The Rotary Club of Naperville/Downtown; and George and Pat Pradel Humanitarian Award – Thomas and Kathleen O’Donnell.

Tickets are $125 per person and include a cocktail reception, dinner, and live and silent auctions.  The reception begins at 5:30PM.

For info, call (630) 420-7807 or visit www.theeducationcenter.org.  The Education Center of Developmental Resources is located at 113 East Van Buren in Naperville.

All Hallows Eve at Naper Settlement / Oct. 20 & 21, 2017 

All Hallows Eve is slated from 6:30-10PM both Fri., Oct. 20, and Sat., Oct. 21. Experience two scary, scary nights of the year at Naper Settlement where 12-acres of “haunting creatures, eerie entertainment, screaming delights and must-see horrors” will surprise you around every corner of the historic village, located in the heart of Naperville. All Hallows Eve is not recommended for children under 8 or pre-teens easily scared. $20 per person. No costumes allowed to be worn by patrons. Rated “PG-Creepy.”

18th Annual Singing for Seniors / Oct. 21

The 18th annual Singing for Seniors program will be a showcase of entertainment from 3-4:30PM on Sat., Oct. 21, at the Yellow Box Church – intersection of Ogden and Rickert.

With host Gary Leavenworth, a first-class comic quartet from Detroit, Three Men and a Tenor, will be the featured performers. Joining them is the award-winning show choir from the School of Performing Arts.

Singing for Seniors is free of charge for everyone in the age 55-plus set.

For group reservations, or if you need a ride, call (630) 637-2636 or visit www.singingforseniors.org.

Identity Theft Seminar / Oct. 23

First Community Financial Bank, soon to be Busey, will host an Identity Theft Seminar from 1:30 to 3:30PM on Mon., Oct. 23, at Walker’s Charhouse in Naperville Plaza, 8 W. Gartner Road at Washington Street.

Featured speakers will be Jacob Osojnak of Great Lakes Protection Investigators and Anthony Mader, Certified Fraud Examiner and IRS Enrolled Agent.

The public is welcome. Light refreshments will be served. Reserve a spot by Oct. 18. Call Mary Jane Leisten at (630) 328-8506.

Check the haunts at Oswald’s Pharmacy, too!

Casey’s Fires Up the Grill, 11AM-2PM Saturdays and Sundays thru Oct. 28

Casey’s Foods located at Naperville Plaza, 124 W. Gartner Road, will be firing up its grill every Saturday and Sunday from 11AM to 2PM through October 28, weather permitting. Choose from a variety of options, including burgers, brats, tacos or the weekly special. It’s great food, at a good price, in a fun atmosphere. Dine out on the picnic table under cover.  Casey’s Saturday Specials from 8AM to 7PM only include items from the Butcher Counter and the Gourmet Deli. Check them out.

Remember that Oswald’s Pharmacy, just around the bend from Casey’s, has every scary sweet thing you need for Halloween trick or treaters and birthdays. Flu shots, too!

Get ready for trick or treating! Find places to create Halloween costume ideas for all 

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!)

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 / Oct. 27, 2017

On Fri., Oct. 27, Kroehler Y 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. Pre-register by Oct. 24. For more information, visit www.napervilleymcas.com.

Autumn Events at Will County Forest Preserve 

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.


Plan ahead for 2017 Pumpkin Race Festival at Rotary Hill / 1-3PM Sat., Oct. 28 

Memories of Oct. 15, 2016 / 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.

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The family-friendly event with referees promises even more fun this year. Just don’t try to disguise a cantaloupe or a watermelon as a pumpkin under the threat of being smashed. This event comes with rules! (Click any photo to enlarge.)

Hint! Be sure to align the axles.

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 in 2016.

After the Pumpkin Race, racers created Halloween decorations amid other pumpkins attacked by squirrels. Go, Cubs!

Get ready to roll for 2017

All ages and abilities are welcome to race a pumpkin down Rotary Hill during heats from 1-3PM Sat., Oct. 28. 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! Encourage friends and neighbors to get in the race, too.

For more info, safety procedures and to check out the video about the Pumpkin Race, visit www.turningpointeautismfoundation.org.


Fall Festival at the DuPage Children’s Museum / Oct. 28 & Oct. 29

Enter the big red door at the DuPage Children’s Museum, located at 301 N. Washington St.

Don your favorite costume and join folks at the DuPage Children’s Museum to celebrate the season! The Museum will be full of activities centered around this colorful time of year, including leaf X-rays, gourd rolling, apple sorting and apple magnets.

Enjoy performances by the Naperville Riverwalk Pickers at 10AM, 10:45AM, 1PM and 1:45PM on Saturday, followed at 1PM and 1:45PM on Sunday.

Since everybody knows Naperville loves a parade, the Costume Parade will be at 4:45PM.

Family Fun Events come with admission or membership. The DuPage Children’s Museum is located at 301 N. Washington St.

Scare-illon Concert at Moser Tower / Oct. 28, 2017

Head to the Millennium Carillon at Rotary Hill, 443 Aurora Ave., for a Halloween-themed concert on Saturday, October 28 and hear spooky and atmospheric pieces, featuring both classical and popular music from 7 to 8PM. For more information, visit 2017 Schedule for Moser Tower.

halloweeners

Trick or Treat at Safety Town / Oct. 28

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. 28. $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 / 2-6PM Oct. 28

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 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, recent sponsors the 2017 Riverwalk Duck Race while getting other duckies in order to local charities.

FCB-fall-festival-2013

Naperville Plaza is preparing for its annual Fall Festival, petting zoo and all, from 2PM to 6PM on Halloween, Sat., Oct. 28, 2017. And other duck game is planned. Just ask, “Why a duck?”

In the spirit of public safety, always pay attention! Drive carefully.

During the Naperville Plaza Fall Festival, check out Casey’s Foods inside to find Saturday specials and other bright ideas for the holidays.

Free to Fly for Family Shelter Service / Oct. 29

Run, Walk, Run to have fun and raise funds for Family Shelter Service. Free to Fly is slated for Sunday, October 29, 2017. Consider the 5K and 10K Race at 9AM. Pets are welcome this year, too. The event will be held at Midwestern University in Downers Grove. Find complete INFO at  www.familyshelterservice.org.  Register now.

Downtown Halloween Hop / 10AM-Noon Oct. 29

Trick or Treating

Downtown Naperville hosts its popular Trick or Treat event from 10AM to Noon on Sun., Oct. 29.

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.

Halloween Happening / Oct. 29

Halloween Happening is 1-4PM Sun., Oct. 29, 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.

Halloween on the Riverwalk / Oct. 30

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 Mon, October 30. Enjoy stories, songs and a puppet show. For more information, visit www.naperville-lib.org.

Door-to-door Trick or Treating / 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.

And there’s more…

Find seasonal treats, caramel apples, gourds and pumpkins at Casey’s Foods.

Look forward with photo-enhanced stories every day on the Latest NewsIn 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.

On the navigation bar atop the Events Calendar, find calendars specific to Runs & WalksCharity Golf (Little Friends Golf Outing & Dinner was Oct. 4), Festivals & Traditions over the course of the year as well as this month’s Book Events hosted by Anderson’sNorth Central College Performing Arts & Homecoming (Oct. 19-21) Weekend and happenings at Naper Settlement.

For safety information see Julie Smith’s column Focus on Safety – Halloween Tips and Treats.

Happy Halloween! Celebrate Safely.

Editor’s Update, Oct. 17, 2017 / A post went live on Sept. 26, 2017, before all harvest and Halloween events were sent this way.  As we pass the half way mark of this busy month, we’ve added a few more events. We think all dates, activities and links are currently correct, but it’s always best to check with the hosting organization. Additions may be added as they become available. Thank you.

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PN Editor
PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.

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