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Thursday, March 28, 2024

A few things to do in Naperville Oct. 16-17, 2021

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Above / Enjoy all the glorious colors of fall and find plenty of local history remembered at Fredenhagen Park along the Naperville Riverwalk. The former site of the Prince Castle and Cock Robin ice cream stores features the Exchange Club Memories Fountain, “Two in a Million” Century Walk sculpture, historic displays featuring the Fredenhagen family, and the Illinois Big Tree Champion, a European Ash recognized since May 1, 1974.

The Naperville Riverwalk follows a winding brick path from Hillside Road to Jefferson Avenue through the heart of the central business district. Just steps from the Riverwalk, find shopping and dining to please any taste in the mix of downtown Naperville.

Saturday

Oct. 16 / Rotary Club of Naperville-Sunrise “Working Bikes” Collection is planned from 8AM to noon Sat., Oct. 16, at Naperville Bank & Trust, Washington at Benton, in downtown Naperville. Thanks for donating used bikes that will be repaired and given to individuals who will be empowered to seek work and other opportunities. Click here for more about Rotary Sunrise and upcoming programs. Gently-Used Bike Donations Welcomed & Appreciated.

OH! Oktoberfests in October! Historically from the third weekend of September through the first Sunday in October, Oktoberfest events under big tents have attracted revelers to do as the Germans do at the local beer hall— sing, dance and raise a glass with cheers of “Gesundheit” and “Prost!” The first Oktoberfest was a wedding reception held on October 12, 1810, to celebrate the marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen in Munich. The festive event with many tastes of Bavarian culture has been repeated annually for more than 200 years all around the world and many times in Naperville to celebrate German heritage with brats and a beer.  Beyond Naperville is Schnitzel Platz where folks enjoy the flavors of Old World Germany with Bavarian accents all year long.

Oct. 16 / “Oktoberfest” Social Dinner hosted by American Legion Post 43 begins with social hour at 6PM, followed by dinner at 7PM, on Sat., Oct. 16, at the Judd Kendall VFW Post, 908 W. Jackson Ave. Cost is $15 per person, $7 for kids, and children under 6 eat free. Menu catered by CORKY’S will include Bratwurst with Sauerkraut / Hot Dog Buns, Corky’s Famous Fried Chicken, German Potato Salad, Corn Cobettes, and “Dreamy Dessert Tray.” Head count (up to 100 people) needed ASAP to ensure ample seating and food for all. Pay at the door via credit card, cash, or check (payable to “American Legion Post 43”). Reservation deadline was Wed., Oct. 13. RSVP to Gary Michalowski by call or text at (630) 988-0106 or email gmichalowski@sbcglobal.net. Please wear a mask if you have not been vaccinated. (Note: American Legion socials are held monthly through April. The public is welcome with advance reservation.)

Oct. 16 / All Hallows Eve is set for 6:30PM to 10PM on Fri., Oct. 15, and Sat., Oct. 16. The event will feature Halloween-themed attractions, interactive experiences, performances by a magician and fire dancers, zombie maze, and music. This event is not recommended for children under eight years old. $20 per person. (Photo courtesy of Naper Settlement)

Saturday & Sunday

Oct. 16 & 17 /Dog Days of summer may be over, but patio days of autumn for well-behaved furry friends and their best friends continue at Quigley’s Irish Pub, 43 E. Jefferson Avenue, weather permitting. Inside find what all the regulars call “EDAQ” camaraderie with classic Irish fare, bar bites and cold beverages. Just ask. Orders to go, too. Sláinte!

Every day! For a list of eateries located throughout Naperville, featuring tastes to whet every appetite and fit every budget, click here to visit www.dinenaperville.com.

Oct. 16 & 17 / Halloween tours are now in progress. Reserve now thru Oct. 31 and then thru New Year’s / Naperville Trolley & Tours announces it’s time to book public trolley rides and tours for the holidays, Halloween through New Year’s. Book PUBLIC (individual) Halloween and Nov/December Holiday Lights. Reservation opportunities went live Oct. 1, 2021. Find info about the fun trolley-la-la-la, la-la-la la tours at www.napervilletrolley.com.

Oct. 16 & 17 / If you’re traveling around this weekend through Halloween, head to 1109 E. Bailey Road where there’s a corner yard full of amazing “Monsters for a Cause,” ready to haunt and celebrate this time when folks find weird pleasure in the darker, creepier side of life. And others beg for loads of candy. FREE!

Be careful where you step. Be prepared for groans and bones. Yet consider that by day, this Sunday, Step Up for Little Friends will be held at St. James Farm in Warrenville at 9:30AM. (See details below on Oct. 17.) Then again on Halloween return to the graveyard at 1109 E. Bailey for some special treats and to meet the Monsters for a Cause, another benefit for Little Friends. ***(Friend & Fundraiser)

Oct. 16 & 17 / It’s 2021 National Police Week & Weekend, Oct. 11-17, postponed from May. Just in time to help promote “Respect! Honor! Remember!” and public safety, Safe Suburbs USA yard signs are beginning to populate throughout the community in support of law enforcement every day. For more information about Safe Suburbs USA and yard signs, visit www.safesuburbsUSA.com.

Oct. 16 & 17 / Just beyond Naperville borders on Stolp Island in the Fox River in Aurora, this week the Paramount Theatre will stage the final performances of Kinky Boots and all that glistens with great voices and flashy choreography. Four performances are still to come two on Sat., Oct. 16 and two Sun., Oct. 17.

Sunday

Oct. 17 / Be prepared for street closures and no parking/tow-away zones from 5AM to noon Sun, Oct 17, to make way for the four-hour Naperville Half Marathon and 5K Run. The run steps off at 7AM from the intersection of Jackson Avenue and Eagle Street. ***(Fundraiser)

Practice inclusion, understanding and acceptance of differing abilities during Down Syndrome Month in October and all year long, too…

Oct. 17 / Step Up for Little Friends will be held at St. James Farm in Warrenville at 9:30AM on Sun., Oct. 17, 2021, aiming to bring together teams from the Little Friends community for a family-friendly morning to support the organization’s mission during this most beautiful time of the year. Plan to enter the forest preserve from Butterfield Road. Registration info is available at www.littlefriendsinc.org/step-up-for-little-friends. ***(Friend & Fundraiser)

Oct. 17 / Naperville Juniorettes will host the Suicide Prevention and Awareness “Glow” Walk at 7PM Sun., Oct. 17. The walk through Downtown Naperville aims to bring awareness to individuals who struggle or have been affected by suicide. Wear purple and teal and any glowing accessories to light up the streets and to show your support. The walk is less than 1 mile and will begin and end behind the Naperville Woman’s Club building at 14 S. Washington. 

The DuPage County Crisis Hotline (630) 627-1700 will remain in operation and all crisis services are available 24/7.

October also is Crime Prevention Month! Be a Naperville Crime Stopper. Meet up with McGruff the Crime Dog as he invites the community to join him to make Naperville a Safer Naper every day of the year.

Downtown Naperville (click here to website)

Boo! Happy Halloween! 

Oct. 31 / Though the City of Naperville has no set hours for Trick or Treating, most families respect times from 4PM to 8PM as hours when they permit their youngsters to visit homes, door to door, on Halloween. Follow local protocols for public safety.

Thanksgiving reservations now at capacity / On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, Meson Sabika(1025 Aurora Avenue, Naperville) and Tapas Valencia (1530 S. State Street, Chicago) will provide up to 3,000 complimentary traditional turkey dinners TO-GO for individuals/families in need. Necessary advance reservations have been promoted for the past month and Meson Sabika now has reached capacity. The restaurant is no longer accepting advance reservations, originally requested by Nov. 17. Folks at Meson Sabika appreciate everyone for spreading the word about this Thanksgiving Day tradition. (Update, Oct. 28, 2021)

One more thing…The weekend forecast appears to be perfect for events scheduled in the great outdoors as the leaves change color and begin to fall. Remember that Mon., Oct. 18, 2021, begins the first of three two-week cycles of the citywide curbside leaf collection. Find the schedule and recommended way to prepare on a story posted earlier this week.

And so on…

365 days a year! If planning a weekend or a staycation in Naperville, consider overnight stays at www.visitnaperville.com.

Check out more than 270 dining locations, many with to-go lunches and dinners, at www.dinenaperville.com.

NOTE! Pre-registration is recommended/ required for most events. Expect admission charge unless marked FREE! “FREE” admission is compliments of the sponsoring organizations. (Remember, nothing is really free of charge. Some individual or some business foots the bill for your pleasure.)

Also note that event details, dates, times and policies are subject to change.

Thanks for your participation and patience as many businesses are short staffed; yet, always aiming to provide hospitality! Thanks for reading!

Looking toward November…

Naperville Responds for Veterans is set to host Cheers for Veterans Reverse Raffle & Fundraiser from 6 to 10PM Thurs., Nov. 4, at Bobak’s in Woodridge. Cocktail Reception is from 6-10PM.  Reverse Raffle Drawing (not necessary to be present to participate) starts at 7PM followed by Live Auction at 8PM. Click here to check out Cheers! fun, games and prize-winning opportunities that come in support of assisting Veterans and their families in need of home repairs and renovations, especially those with low and moderate income. Thank you!

The week of Nov. 9 (Safe Suburbs USA inaugural fundraiser at Aurelio’s), Nov. 10 (Marine Corps Birthday Ball hosted by Naperville Marines at the VFW) and Nov. 11 (Veterans Day observance at “11-11-11” at Veterans Park) is shaping up in Naperville to recognize all those individuals who serve to protect us, expressing to them an attitude of gratitude. That observance of safety seems especially significant for the month when America also celebrates Thanksgiving. Thanks to all.

PN File Photos

Last Updated, Oct. 28, 2021

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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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