Above / By day, by night or by Naperville Trolley, this weekend offers many opportunities to get into the spirit of the season. Celebrate safely.
Halloween Events this weekend
Every 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!
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.)
Find pumpkins at The Growing Place, now celebrating 81 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.
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, then plan to paint or carve it to light it on your front doorstep for Halloween.
Yesterday!
Please note this updated post features special October events beginning Sat., Oct. 28, through the final four days of this event-heavy month.
2017 Pumpkin Race Festival at Rotary Hill / 1-3PM Sat., Oct. 28
Memories of Oct. 15, 2016 / Seven photos from the inaugural Pumpkin Race in 2016 present pretty pictures of the potential of this popular new Naperville event with origins in California. Plan to participate today.
[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”]
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.)
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.
Get ready to roll for 2017 today! Wheel kits are $20. To watch is free!
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.
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 for the food pantry. Baby formula always is needed at the food pantry. 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 >>>> Busey, recent sponsors the 2017 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 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 while watching out for costumed guests.
During the Naperville Plaza Fall Festival, check out Casey’s Foods inside to find Saturday specials and other bright ideas for the holidays.
Naperville Jaycees Hack the Jack winner will be announced on Oct. 28
The Naperville Jaycees hosted their inaugural Hack the Jack 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.
Every pumpkin was fully carved, painted and decorated prior to submission, ready for the exhibit.
For a peek and to vote for the favorites of the 23 entries in the Naperville Jaycees Hack the Jack Contest, players visited the Naperville Jaycees website.
Editor’s Update, 6:15PM Oct. 28 / The Jaycees set up a booth at the Naperville Plaza Fall Festival where they announced each of the winners of the Hack the Jack contest.
Late in the afternoon a big check for the first prize was presented to Paul Arriola, while the check for the second and third prizes that both went to KidsMatter was given to Idalynn Wenhold. The winner of the 50/50 Raffle was David Coyner. (To see winner photos, click here)
Casey’s Fires Up the Grill, 11AM-2PM Saturdays and Sundays thru Oct. 29
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.
Inside, Casey’s Saturday Specials from 8AM to 7PM include items from the Butcher Counter and the Gourmet Deli.Casey’s Sloppy Joe (already cooked, just heat through) Only $4.98 per lb and serve with Casey’s HousemadeSteak Chips for $1.99 per bag. While Supply Lasts! 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!
Fall Festival at the DuPage Children’s Museum / Oct. 28 & Oct. 29
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 brightly illuminated Millennium Carillon at Rotary Hill, 443 Aurora Ave., for a Halloween-themed concert on Sat., Oct. 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.
Seasonal tours end
Note also the end of seasonal tours to climb the 253 steps to the observation deck near the top of the 160-foot Moser Tower where visitors will enjoy the spectacular view of this Tree City during this colorful autumn.
Visitor Center hours are from 10AM-4PM on Saturday and from 12 noon-6PM on Sunday through the last Sunday of the month, October 29. Admission is charged.
Quigley’s Irish Pub – Oct. 28
Did you know Jack O’Lanterns were first created in Ireland? And that Quigley’s service staff is celebrating Halloween in costume tonight to better treat you when live music will be performed by Lincoln Don’t Lie beginning at 8:30PM. Come early for the fun and delicious food, stay for the camaraderie and conversation, and enjoy the band.
Quigley’s Irish Pub is located at 43 E. Jefferson in downtown Naperville. Celebrate safely!
Oct. 29 thru Halloween
‘Trunk or Treat’ comes to Bill Jacobs Mini / Oct. 29
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
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.
After showing off in costume, plan to dine in one of more than 40 eateries in downtown Naperville for the biggest treat of all—a delicious brunch or lunch!
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. The Naperville Park District welcomes folks to come and enjoy lots of fun activities, games, and goodies at Naperville’s best free Halloween fest for kids ages 10 and under.
Halloween Trolley Ride / Oct. 29, 30 & 31
Put on your Halloween Costume, and come see the Highly Decorated Halloween Homes in Naperville via the Naperville Trolley beginning at 7PM Sun., Oct. 29! Tour is one hour in length and starts and ends from Aurelio’s Pizza = 1975 Springbrook Square. Please dress for outside, as you will be getting off the Trolley to look up close. Reservations are required and can be made at www.napervilletrolley.com. $18 per person, all ages. Ding! Ding! THUMP!!!
NOTE! As the seasons change, note that the Trolley-la-la-la Holiday Light Tours soon will begin again. Be sure to look for the Naperville Trolley during the Little Friends Parade of Lights on Sat., Dec. 2, in downtown Naperville.
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.
All Hallows Eve: NAHS Fundraiser at Solemn Oath Brewery / Oct. 30
From noon to 9PM, Mon., Oct. 30, we’re celebrating Halloween and the pet that makes this holiday so spooky: CATS! Grab a beer at Solemn Oath Brewery, 1661 Quincy Ave. 15% of all draft sales will benefit our rescue partners at Naperville Area Humane Society. Show your support and dress up like a cat! (We suggest cat ears or whiskers!) Raffles and giveaways begin at 5PM. Must be 21+.
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.
For safety tips and information see Julie Smith’s column Focus on Safety – Halloween Tips and Treats.
And there’s more…
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.
On the navigation bar atop the Events Calendar, find calendars specific to Runs & Walks, Charity 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’s, North Central College Performing Arts and happenings at Naper Settlement.
Happy Halloween! Celebrate Safely. Thanks for reading!
Editor’s Update, Oct. 28, 2017 / A post went live on Sept. 26, 2017, before all harvest and Halloween events were sent this way. As we begin to end 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. (All photos are from PN Files!)
