Above / Tis the season to take time to every day to experience the gorgeous autumn season when the parkway trees create colorful canopies along neighborhood streets. Many local residents are grateful the City of Naperville foresters helped save our ash with special treatment when the invasive Emerald Ash Borer came to town.
Follow this page with autumn changes and choices through Halloween…
Though September is the second busiest month for parking in downtown Naperville, autumn themes and Halloween events throughout the city create quite a scene during October, sweeping off with Witches Night Out, hosted by the Naperville Woman’s Club. Anyone who missed the the sold-out 2nd Annual Witches Night Out last week at Naper Settlement is encouraged to mark her calendar now for Oct. 10, 2019.
Naperville Curbside Leaf Collection cycles are now in progress
Rake leaves into the street by 6AM to participate in the three curbside leaf collection cycles scheduled, weather permitting, beginning on Oct. 15, Oct. 29 and Nov. 12. Compare this photo from Oct. 20 with the top photo taken on Oct. 13. What a difference a week makes in the local landscape. And who would have thought an afternoon of snow flurries among leaves falling on Oct. 20!
Annual CAPS Dinner at Meson Sabika / 6PM Oct. 18 (Check off list!)
The Fire Department Recognition Dinner hosted by Citizens Appreciate Public Safety (CAPS) will take place at 6PM on Thurs., Oct. 18, 2018, 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.
Note! The CAPS Dinner returns in the spring 2019 to honor the Naperville Police Department and again next October to recognized the Naperville Fire Department. To check out Jim Hoch’s photos from Thursday’s event, visit jameshochphotography.smugmug.com/Events/CAPS-Ceremony/CAPS-Ceremony-2018-10-18.
NNHS Fall Play – You Can’t Take it With You / Oct. 19-21, 2018 (Check off list!)
You Can’t Take it With You, one of the most popular and successful plays of modern times, tells the story of the Tony Kirby and Alice Sycamore. When Tony and Alice become engaged, they arrange a meeting for their very different families. Tony’s wealthy yet unhappy parents are shocked by the eccentricities of the Sycamore’s. They are a family of individualists. They do as they like with no questions asked. From the printing press and snake collection in the living room, to the xylophone corner for constant ballet dancing, to the fireworks in the basement, they’re a zany bunch. The evening ends with everyone getting arrested and the engagement being called off. It isn’t until Grampa’s wise speech to Mr. Kirby about the importance of living life to the fullest that the two families find a way to accept each other, and love conquers all. You Can’t Take it With You is a madcap, idealistic comedy that reinforces the idea that you can only live life to the fullest by doing whatever makes you happy.
Showtimes are 7PM Friday and Saturday, Oct. 19 & 20; and 4PM on Sunday Oct. 21. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. All seats reserved. Tickets are available at www.nnhsarts.com and at the door.
All Hallows Eve at Naper Settlement / Oct. 19 & 20, 2018 (Check off list!)
All Hallows Eve is slated from 6:30-10PM both Fri., Oct. 19, and Sat., Oct. 20. 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.”
Find pumpkins at The Growing Place, now celebrating 82 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.
Casey’s Fires Up the Grill, 11AM-2PM Saturdays and Sundays now 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.
Casey’s sells pumpkins, both for baking pumpkin pies and carving Jack O’lanterns. Distinctive gourds are available, too.
Remember that Oswald’s Pharmacy, just around the bend from Casey’s, has every scary sweet thing, spooky greeting card and holiday party item you need for Halloween trick or treaters and/or birthdays. Flu shots, too!
Oswald’s Wellness Fair in Naperville Plaza / Oct. 20 (Check off list!)
- Complimentary Snacks & Beverages
- Flu Shot Clinic with our Registered Nurse, Dawn
- Free Walker/Rollator Tune Ups from our DME Technician James
- Free Kids Vitamin Program Launch (free gift bag for parents enrolling their kids too!
- Giveaways
- Medi Compression Pop-Up
- More Vendors TBA.
Singing for Seniors / 3PM Oct. 20 (Check off list!)
Entering its 19th year of entertaining Naperville-area seniors, Singing for Seniors begins at 3PM on Sat., Oct. 20, at the Yellow Box, located at 1635 Emerson at Ogden Ave. The music fest for folks age 55-plus, first imagined by Gary Leavenworth about 20 years ago, has become a “can’t miss” tradition on the fall calendar. Every year, this toe-tapping, 90-minute musical review delights audiences with a wide range of established and up-and-coming talent from the Chicago area and across the country. As always, the concert is free and dedicated to thanking area seniors for their contributions to our community. Note above photo! During this year’s show when Leavenworth reminisced back to the beginning in 2000, Councilwoman Patty Gustin joined him on stage to pay tribute to the memory of Mayor George Pradel. Leavenworth credited his close friend, who served as Naperville Mayor for 20 years, as a supporter who performed in all except two Singing for Seniors.
American Legion ‘Octoberfest’ Social and Dinner / 6PM Oct. 20 (Check off list!)
American Legion Annual “Octoberfest” Social and Dinner will be held Sat., Oct. 20 at the VFW. The social hour begins at 6PM followed by dinner at 7PM with entertainment provided by the NMB “Oomph Band'” directed by Ron Keller. Reserve a spot for the fun evening getting to enjoy some good old German music with old friends.
Plan to trick or treat? 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.)
Healthy Driven Half Marathon and 5K / 8AM Oct. 21 (Check off list!)
Runners will take to the streets for the 6th annual Healthy Driven Naperville Half Marathon beginning at 7AM Sun., Oct. 21, on Eagle Street, just north of Aurora Ave, alongside the Naperville Municipal Center.
Note some street closures apply Sunday morning. Be prepared. To register, visit www.runnaperville.com/half-marathon-registration/.
Early Voting begins at the Naperville Municipal Center / Oct. 22, 2018
Mesón Sabika fundraiser for Hurricane Florence Relief / Oct. 23
Mesón Sabika will partner with Red Cross to host fundraiser from 11:30AM to 10PM on Tuesday, October 23, 2018. The restaurant will donate 100 percent of sales that day to aid victims of recent destructive floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters.
Reservations for lunch or dinner on October 23 are now being accepted and can be made online at mesonsabika.com or by calling (630) 983-3000.
Mesón Sabika is located at 1025 Aurora Avenue.
Annual Regional Economic Forecast / 4PM Oct. 24
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 4-7PM Wed., Oct. 24, 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 4PM, with the program beginning promptly at 4:30PM. Note that seating this year is theater style unless a table of 10 is purchased. Register online. Members are $50 each. Nonmembers are $75.
Game On! at Center Stage Theater / Oct. 25
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.
Homecoming at North Central College / Oct. 27
The North Central College Homecoming Parade is set to begin at 12:30PM, stepping off south on Brainard Street to Championship Plaza. The football game vs. Elmhurst College will kick off at 2PM in Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. Go, Cardinals! For a schedule homecoming events and special concerts planned from Oct. 26-28, 2018, visit northcentralcollege.edu/2018-homecoming-schedule.
Plan ahead for 2018 Pumpkin Race Festival at Rotary Hill / 1-3PM Sat., Oct. 27
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 on the track by Rotary Hill in 2018.
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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.)
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.
Get ready to roll for 2018
All ages and abilities are welcome to race a pumpkin down Rotary Hill during heats from 1-3PM Sat., Oct. 27. 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.
Naperville North presents Dracula, The Radio Play / Oct. 27, 2018
Remember the good old days of radio—when people had to use their imaginations—when the mind was a stage? Those days are back—only better! You can SEE as well as HEAR radio programs. Come and experience the magic as you watch the inner workings of a 1940’s style radio theatre broadcast. Complete with live sound effects, live instrumental music, voice acting, and 1940s style commercial breaks.
In keeping with tradition this third annual production has a Halloween theme. Cast and Crew will take on Dracula by Phillip Grecian, based on the novel by Bram Stoker.
The night will also include a silent auction, 50-50 raffle, and a Dracula costume contest.
One show only – 7PM Saturday October 27, 2018, in the Naperville North Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. All seats reserved. Tickets are available at www.nnhsarts.com and at the door.
Scare-illon Concert at Moser Tower / Oct. 27, 2018
Head to the Millennium Carillon at Rotary Hill, 443 Aurora Ave., for a Halloween-themed concert on Saturday, October 27 and hear spooky and atmospheric pieces, featuring both classical and popular music from 7 to 8PM. For more information, visit Schedule for Moser Tower.
Trick or Treat at Safety Town / Oct. 27
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. 27. $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 / 12-4PM Oct. 27
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 Busey Bank, recent sponsors the 2018 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 12PM to 4PM, Sat., Oct. 27, 2018. 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.
Halloween Costume Party at Quigley’s Irish Pub / Oct. 27
Why do you think a carved pumpkin all aglow is called a Jack O’Lantern! It’s a native of Ireland, of course! Join the fun and frolic to determine the best Halloween costume at Quigley’s Irish Pub, 43 E. Jefferson, in downtown Naperville, in the evening of Sat., Oct. 27, when live music will be performed by We’re Not. And remember to save the date for Quigley’s 20th Birthday celebration on Sat., Nov. 17. Then Thanksgiving morning at 8AM, Quigley’s will be open to toast the runners in the Noon Lions Club Turkey Trot 5K.
Downtown Halloween Hop / 10AM-Noon Oct. 28
Downtown Naperville hosts its popular Trick or Treat event from 10AM to Noon on Sun., Oct. 28.
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!
More than 60 businesses will be handing out Halloween surprises. CHECK IN at Main and Jefferson in front of Two Boston’s Pet Boutique – for a map of participating businesses and a bag for collecting goodies (while supplies last).
Enjoy the costumed characters and photo opts, too. 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. 28
Halloween Happening is 1-4PM Sun., Oct. 28, 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 Parties at the Y / Oct. 28
On Sun., Oct. 28, 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. For more information, visit www.napervilleymcas.com.
Halloween on the Riverwalk / Oct. 29
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 29. 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…
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.
Editor’s Note, Oct. 14, 2018 / The original post for October went live before all harvest and Halloween events were sent this way. This updated post showcases additional happenings and links. We think all dates, activities and links are currently correct, but it’s always best to check with the hosting organization. Additions still may be added as they become available. Thank you.
