Friday / Saturday 2018
Homecoming at North Central College / Oct. 26 & 27
The North Central College Homecoming Parade is set to begin at 12:30PM, Sat., Oct. 27, stepping off south on Brainard Street to Championship Plaza.
Be costumed in red and prepare to give Chippy-the-Cardinals-Mascot a big college wave.
The homecoming football game versus Elmhurst College will kick off at 2PM in Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. Go, Cardinals!
For a schedule homecoming events and special concerts planned from Fri., Oct. 26 through Sun., Oct. 28, 2018, visit northcentralcollege.edu/2018-homecoming-schedule.
UPDATE, Oct. 27 / The North Central College Cardinals football team perfectly passed to a landslide Homecoming victory on Saturday, flying high over the Elmhurst College Bluejays in a 55-0 victory at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.
Haunting! Early Voting is now in progress at the Naperville Municipal Center
Polls will be open from 6AM to 7PM on General Election Day, Tues., Nov. 6. For a page listing of the hopefuls running to serve Naperville as well as the referendum questions on the ballot in DuPage County, click on the Election Voters Guide.
The DuPage County Election Authority via personal letter in the U.S. Mail informed voters in the precincts within State Representative District 41 that only a paper ballot will be available. Anyone who votes early at the Naperville Municipal Center or the DuPage County Election Commission in Wheaton is asked to “kindly let the Judges of Election know that you reside withing State Representative District 41. For more info, call (630) 407-5600.
Casey’s Foods & Oswald’s
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!
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.
Saturday
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. This week’s Saturday special features Casey’s Brats (All) ($2.98/lb.) to serve with Casey’s Red Cabbage & Apples (only $2.99/lb.) while supplies last.
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 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.)
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 for Loaves & Fishes Community Services. 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.
(Update 2018! Instead of ducks for Halloween, two young sisters came out of the sea as an octopus and a mermaid.)
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.
And look for the locations in Naperville Plaza where donations of nonperishable items will be collected for Loaves & Fishes Community Services.
2018 Pumpkin Race at Rotary Hill / 1-3PM (or so) Sat., Oct. 27
The family-friendly event, complete 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! No cheating allowed.
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 2016 Pumpkin Race, a racer created Halloween decorations amid other pumpkins attacked by squirrels.
The 2017 event offered even more fun and prizes.
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 or find one available at the pumpkin race.
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.
Come in costume and be prepared to enter contests for fun and prizes.
For more info, safety procedures and to check out the video about the Pumpkin Race, visit www.turningpointeautismfoundation.org.
Saturday Evening
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.
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. Celebrate safely!
Halloween Light Tours aboard the Naperville Trolley / Oct. 27, 28, 29, 30 & 31
Being spooked is more fun with friends! Check out the schedule at either 8:45PM (Sat.) or 7PM or 8:15PM (Sun., through Halloween) and reserve a spot to board the Naperville Trolley and be captivated by the community’s ghostly light show. For convenient parking, Public Halloween Lights Trolley Tours start and end at Aurelio’s Pizza, located at 1975 Springbrook Square (SE corner of Rte 59 and Montgomery Road/83rd). For info, call (630) 355-2242. Visit the website for available times.
Sunday
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.
Monday
Naperville Senior Center Adult Day Care Halloween Parade / Oct. 29
Halloween on the Riverwalk / Oct. 29
Children of all ages and their caregivers can dress in costume and enjoy Halloween fun from 4PM to 4:45PM 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. Note: In the event of severe weather, the program will be held in the Community Room of Nichols Library.
Wednesday – Happy Halloween!
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. 26, 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.
