Above / “Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.” ―Elizabeth Lawrence
Good Day! Experience autumn along the Riverwalk with Halloween festivities here and there as our vibrant city wraps up October…
Take time to experience the gorgeous autumn season along the City’s parkways and throughout the winding brick paths of the Riverwalk. Soon all the leaves will have fallen and the beauty of the bare structure of every tree will be attractive, too.
Note that from Nov. 1 through Nov. 11, Rotary Hill in the distance with Moser Tower will be graced with 2,019 American flags for the Field of Honor to recognize Veterans Day.
National First Responders Day / October 28
Take a moment to appreciate and recognize the heroic men and women who make it their business to take immediate action when emergencies and disasters strike. Give a moment of gratitude to firefighters, police, paramedics, and more — rushing into into action whenever called in the line of duty and often when they’re off duty. Let them know this community understands and appreciates the dangerous and difficult work they do every day. Thanks for recognizing the work of Citizens Appreciate Public Safety aka CAPS. It’s also another day to be mindful that keeping our community safe is everyone’s responsibility. Thanks to all!
Silent Auction bidding now open for 360’s Champions for Youth Gala
Bidding has begun for the Champions for Youth Gala that will be held beginning at 5:30PM Fri., Nov. 1, at the Embassy Suites Naperville. Click here to browse unique experiences including trips, sports, dinners, theater and music that await online bidders.
Anyone unable to attend the Gala on Nov. 1, 2019, is welcome to bid online and win silent auction items. Thank you!
2019 Naperville Curbside Leaf Collection cycles continue
Rake leaves into the street by 6AM to participate in the three curbside leaf collection cycles scheduled, weather permitting, on Oct. 21, Nov. 4 and Nov. 18. Compare this photo from mid-October 2018 with the top photo taken at the beginning of October. What a difference a couple weeks make in the local landscape.
Remember also to keep storm drains clear of leaves. And never park on top of a large pile of leaves.
Click here for the leaf collection schedule and more…
Find pumpkins at The Growing Place, now celebrating 83 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.
In Naperville, the family-owned business is located at 25w471 Plank Road with roots that date back to Emma’s Perennials in 1936. Check out special events at The Growing Place located at 2000 Montgomery Road in Aurora.
Naperville Trolley Halloween Lights Tour every evening through Halloween
Check out daily public Halloween Light Tours that run on Naperville Trolley and Tours from now through Halloween, beginning and ending at Aurelio’s Pizza, 1975 Springbrook Square, where parking is available. Book your seat for $19 /plus $1.50 handling fees = $20.50 per person, all ages. For everything about the October schedule, visit Naperville Trolley and Tours.
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.
Did you know? Halloween is big for business!
According to the National Retail Federation, following Christmas, Halloween is the next biggest shopping season of the year. A total of 172 million people plan to celebrate Halloween this year down from 175 million last year. With the holiday just days away, predictions are that individuals who will be shopping will spend a near record $8.7 billion on costumes, candy, and decorations. Total spending breaks down like this: $3.2 billion on costumes, $2.6 billion on candy, $2.7 billion on decorations and $390 million on greeting cards.
The Better Business Bureau reminds shoppers to beware of pop-up stores during the Halloween and holiday buying seasons. What’s easy to find today may not pop up tomorrow if you need to return something. Be cautious. That’s another good reason to shop locally.
Need a costume for 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.
Also find accessories (hats, jewelry, etc.) for dress-up ideas at The Serendipity Shop, located at 12 W. Jefferson Avenue in downtown Naperville. Purchases here help support the Little Friends’ mission of fulfilling lives.
Good Will, located at 539 Fort Hill Drive, is another place Halloweeners just might find the accessories needed to complete a costume.
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.
Seasonal Illumination at Moser Tower
Head to the Moser Tower with the 72-bell Millennium Carillon at Rotary Hill, 443 Aurora Ave. Can you hear it? For more information, visit Schedule for Moser Tower.
Halloween on the Riverwalk / Oct. 29, 2019
Children of all ages and their caregivers can dress in costume and enjoy Halloween fun from 4 to 4:45PM at the Riverwalk Amphitheater across Jackson Avenue from Nichols Library, 200 S. Jefferson Ave., on Tues., Oct. 29. Enjoy stories, songs and a puppet show. For more information, visit www.naperville-lib.org.
City Downtown Streetscape Project Improvements Session / Oct. 29, 2019
The City of Naperville’s Transportation, Engineering and Development Business (TED) Group will host a second public input session on Tues., Oct. 29 to share updated designs for the first phase of the Downtown Streetscape Project improvements. The public input session is open to the public and scheduled from 4 to 7:30PM in the NEU meeting room at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle Street.
Presentations will be made around 4:30PM, 5:30PM, and 6:30PM; the same information will be provided at each presentation.
Annual Regional Economic Forecast / 4PM Oct. 30, 2019
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. 30, 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.
Formerly a breakfast, last year’s Regional Economic Forecast changed its format slightly to 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.
RCN / Downtown Rotary Ride Sponsor Appreciation / 4:44PM Oct. 30, 2019
The Rotary Club of Naperville/Downtown will host the 23rd Annual Rotary Ride Appreciation Night for all the sponsors and volunteers who assisted with the 2019 bicycle ride in the countryside at its weekly meeting beginning at 4:44PM Wed., Oct. 30, at Hugo’s Frog Pond.
According to 2019 Rotary Ride Chairman Kevin McQuillan who is also this year’s club president, representatives of each organization receiving a donation— 360 Youth Services, Naperville Responds For Veterans, Loaves and Fishes and Polio Plus— will be in attendance to accept a check from proceeds of this year’s event.
Rotary Ride is held on the second Sunday morning in August, beginning and ending at Commissioners Park, located at 3704 111th St. The 24th Annual Rotary Ride will begin at 6:30AM Sun., Aug. 9. Save the date!
Hugo’s Frog Pond is located in Main Street Promenade, 55 S. Main Street, in downtown Naperville.
Think safety first! Dress for the weather. Enjoy Halloween! Celebrate safely!
Meet up with 40-year-old McGruff the Crime Dog around town during the Halloween holiday season. And whatever your age, if you see something suspicious, say something to a Naperville Crime Stopper at (630) 420-6006. Keeping the community safe is everybody’s responsibility.
Door-to-door Trick or Treating / Oct. 31, 2019
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. Happy 40th, McGruff! Give McGruff a hand!
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 , 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.
Follow this page with autumn changes and choices through Halloween…
If any of these annual October events sound appealing and you don’t have time to attend in 2019, but wish you did; take note that many of the seasonal opportunities will return the same time next year. Nobody is expected to do everything!
This post showcases 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. Check back later in the week. Thank you.