Have you ever wondered about the tall sculpture at the corner of Jefferson and Mill streets on the Century Walk tour of public art? Have you ever visited Naper Homestead, the site where Joe Naper and his family lived back in their day? Have you considered taking the City’s brief survey now featured online to help determine future public art projects? Kindly note info below with “Tour Century Walk.” (PN Photo)

Consider new & returning seasonal choices while the leaves fall

The posts that follow are arranged miscellaneously and/or by hosting location or organization. Obviously, most photos are from PN files as most events are yet to occur. Events are among the traditions of this active community with many choices, including raking leaves for the City’s curbside pick-up that begins Mon., Oct. 21.

Oh! What a beautiful autumn where the bike path toward the Lake Osborne Pavilion appears golden! Go walk! Go bike! Go fish! Go picnic! Lake Osborne is located just west of the Naperville Public Safety Center along Aurora Avenue.

Enjoy seasonal changes from Lake Osborne to Whalon Lake! “Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn,” noted quotable Elizabeth Lawrence (1904-1985), internationally-known garden writer. 

Go fish this autumn! Hint: Autumn anglers say they like to concentrate their efforts for bass this time of the year in the midday sunshine. The sun warms the shallow water and by noon, bass bite. Click here to find one of this website’s most popular pages while considering the catch of the day!

Tour Century Walk / Take Naperville public art survey

Since 1996, the City of Naperville has celebrated public art via a collection that has grown to include 50-plus public sculptures, murals, reliefs and mosaics. Known as Century Walk, the attractive display portrays significant people, places and events that have shaped this vibrant community since its founding in 1831.

This month, the community is invited to participate in a brief survey hosted by the City to help determine the future of public art in Naperville. Whatever your interest, all feedback is valued and appreciated to help determine public art preferences, desired locations and types of art, all of which come with a cost. The survey has been available all during October online and will close at 4PM on Thursday, Oct. 31. To access the survey, visit bit.ly/naperville-art-survey. Thank you.

Miscellaneous Safety Tips / Here & There

Oct. 24 / Public forum to meet DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick from 6 to 8PM, Thurs., Oct. 24, 2024, in Council Chambers, Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St. Hosted by District 5 DuPage County Board member Patty Gustin, Sheriff Mendrick will highlight JUST, his rehabilitation program, and provide more information about public safety plans and procedures in DuPage County. Public welcome.

Curbside Leaf Collection begins Oct. 21

Oct. thru Nov. / The City’s bulk curbside leaf collection program begins on Mon., Oct. 21, 2024. This free program provides every neighborhood three collection opportunities (also beginning Nov. 4 and Nov. 18) during a six-week period, weather permitting. To participate, rake leaves into the street next to the curb by 6AM on the first day of each collection cycle. Care should be taken to avoid covering storm drains.

Note also… Free bagged leaf and yard waste collection is set for Mon., Nov. 4, through Fri., Dec. 13. Simply place bags of yard waste curbside on your regular garbage day. Crews will collect bagged yard waste. Remember! Mulch and compost leaves as a way to nourish lawns and gardens.

Early Voting Hours Expand Oct. 21 thru Nov. 4

Early voting for both DuPage and Will counties is now available through Nov. 4 at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle Street. Enter through the main lobby and head downstairs for DuPage County voting. Head toward the City Clerk’s area on the main level for Will County. (Note: Lower level doors are not accessible for entry. Enter only from the front entrance by the fountain.) For all hours and other locations to vote, visit www.naperville.il.us/government/voting-and-voter-registration/.

Polls are open rom 6AM to 7PM on General Election Day, Tues., Nov. 5.

2025 City Council Candidates file petitions on Oct. 21 

Not to be confused with candidates running to serve Naperville in the 2024 General Election on Nov. 5, seven hopefuls vying to serve on the Naperville City Council began turning in their petition packets at 8AM Mon., Oct. 21. The Consolidated Election is Tues., April 1, 2025. 

Four, four-year seats are up for election on April 1, 2025. The filing deadline is at the end of the business day on Mon., Oct. 28. According to the City Clerk, to date, 11 petition packets have been pulled. 

The 2025 Consolidated Election on April 1 also will include hopefuls to fill seats on School District 203 and School District 204 Boards of Education, Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners and College of DuPage Board of Trustees.

Watch for details and editorial to follow after the General Election. Meanwhile, pay attention to all local issues and upcoming budget workshops. Note also public concerns regarding screeching vehicles and loud mufflers throughout town. The NPD is working on solutions. Be safe. Thank you.

Naperville Trolley & Tours 

Now thru Oct. 31 / Then again Thanksgiving weekend thru Dec. 27 / Naperville Trolley & Tours announces it’s time to book public trolley rides and tours for the holidays, Halloween through Dec. 27. Book PUBLIC (individual) Halloween and Nov/December Holiday Lights. (No tours Christmas Day or after Dec. 27.) Reservation opportunities are now live! Evening Halloween trolley tours are now in progress. Find info about Halloween tours as well as the fun holiday trolley-la-la-la, la-la-la la tours at www.napervilletrolley.com.

Oct. 25 / Celebrating Arts DuPage Month, a free event open to the public, will be presented by Naperville Art League from 7-9PM Fri. Oct. 25, at the Naperville Art League Fine Art Center and Gallery, Fifth Avenue at Center Street. Naperville Art League celebrates Arts DuPage Month with a special reception as the grand re-opening of NAL’s Fine Art Center and Gallery by highlighting the League’s display wall renovation, partially funded by DuPage Foundation and the JCS Arts, Health and Education Fund of DuPage Foundation.

Oct. 25 / Congratulations to NCTV17! Naperville Community Television (NCTV17) has been named Illinois Parks’ Top Journalist for 2024 by the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD). NCTV17 was nominated by the Naperville Park District and will receive the award at the 2024 IAPD Best of the Best Awards Gala on Fri., Oct. 25, at the Wheeling Park District’s Chevy Chase Country Club.

Howlin’ at the Moon returns Oct. 25-26

Oct. 25-26 / Howlin’ at the Moon, an adult’s only Halloween bash, returns from 5 to 10PM Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25-26, to Naper Settlement, located at Webster Street and Aurora Avenue. Experience thrilling performances, activities and live music from nationally-recognized musicians during adult (21-plus) festivities. Guests will feast their fangs into delicious food and drinks at the Food Truck Graveyard and BOOze Bar, as well as experience one-of-a-kind Halloween-themed activities including spine-chilling art displays and photo experiences, fire dance performances and more. And YES! Come in costume to compete in a costume contest with the chance to win $500. 

No one under the age of 21 is permitted. IDs will be checked at the entrance. Howlin’ at the Moon tickets support the Naperville Heritage Society’s mission to collect, document, preserve, and support the history of Naperville, Illinois, past and present. Tickets are $20 per person. For more information and tickets, visit NaperSettlement.org/Howlin. 

Naperville Pumpkin Race (click here.)

Oct. 26 / Naperville Pumpkin Race, hosted by Turning Pointe Autism Foundation, returns at noon Sat., Oct. 26, to Rotary Hill along the Riverwalk. Create/purchase a pumpkin racer (Kits are $25) and be ready to run a heat in-person at Rotary Hill near Moser Tower or in your own driveway no matter where you live. (Check the TPAF website for details about mail orders.) This outdoor event is great fun for all whom participate and/or watch. The elimination races may take several hours. A costume contest, vendors, pumpkin decorating contest, live entertainment and other creative surprises add to this fun Halloween event that includes several smash hits. Cheering spectators are welcome for a special time of your life!  FREE Admission! ***(Fundraiser)

Naperville Plaza / Washington at Gartner

Oct. 26 / Casey’s Foods and Oswald’s Pharmacy are set to host a “Monster Mash Bash” from 1PM to 4PM Sat., Oct. 26, in Naperville Plaza, Washington at Gartner. Dress to trick or treat. Enjoy treats and other surprises. FREE! (Also, great locations to purchase Halloween greeting cards, party supplies and candy for trick or treaters on Halloween.)

Downtown Naperville Halloween Hop

Oct. 27 / Happy Halloween Hop! Downtown Naperville’s annual Halloween Hop is slated from 10AM to Noon on Sun., Oct. 27, with a call out for ghouls, goblins, ghosts, witches, storybook characters and super heroes. Families can dress up in their costumes, visit downtown businesses and kids can grab gobs of goodies. Dozens of merchants will open early to hand out Halloween treats and surprises. FREE!

Enjoy fun fall festivities with youngsters and the entire family! Shops and restaurants welcome your business all day, too!

Now and EDAQ, Every Day at Quigley’s / Dog Days of summer may be over, but patio days of autumn for well-behaved pets 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. Enjoy live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Just ask. Families in costume may stop by for treats to celebrate Halloween Hop from 11AM to noon on Sun., Oct. 27. Sláinte!

Oct. 27 / Fall family fun returns to Water Street when all of downtown celebrates Halloween Hop from 10AM to noon on Sun., Oct. 27. Wear costumes to trick or treat the shops in this safe daytime event.

Believe it or not, Downtown Holiday Lights begin soon after on Nov. 4 when twinkling white lights go on throughout the heart of the community. 

Note also a big treat returns when Naperville Sunrise Rotary brings back NaperLights to dazzle all of Water Street during the holiday season and through New Year’s Day. Stroll through a wonderland of animated lights and music. Find gorgeous picture opportunities under the rainbow arch, with the Giant Bear or under the Great Tree. Santa will be making appearances on his sparkling red throne in Jaycees Park at Water Street through the season. 

Halloween Happening / Riverwalk Grand Pavilion

Oct. 27 / The Naperville Park District again will host its Halloween Happening at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion. Presented by Woody Buick/GMC, kids 10 and under are welcome to meet skeletons and tombstones when entering the Riverwalk park where Halloween-themed games and activities will entertain as they can collect goodies, treats or prizes. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged. Halloween Happening is scheduled from 1PM to 4PM on Sun., Oct. 27, west of the Jaycees Playground in the area near the Grand Pavilion. FREE!

Oct. 29 / As one in a series of town hall meetings regarding a referendum on the Nov. 5, 2024, ballot, Indian Prairie School District 204 is holding a public meeting in the LMC from 7 to 8:30PM Tues., Oct. 29, at Waubonsie Valley High School, 2590 Ogden Avenue in Aurora. The town hall is related to a no tax rate increase referendum placed on the November 2024 ballot. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the district’s facility infrastructure needs, critical safety and security upgrades, and how a referendum would support these needs. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session and tours of the high school. For more info, visit www.ipsd.org/SaferStronger204.

Bill Jacobs VW & Bill Jacobs MINI host Trick or Treat / Oct. 30

Oct. 30 / Bill Jacobs VW and Bill Jacobs MINI will host upcoming Trunk or Treat events from 4 to 7PM on Wed., Oct. 30, at both dealership locations in Naperville. This fun, family-friendly Halloween event offers a safe and festive evening for the community, featuring creative costumes, candy, and elaborately decorated vehicles. FREE! Open to the public! Get an up-close look at the latest VW and MINI vehicles while kids enjoy trick-or-treating. Both Bill Jacobs VW and Bill Jacobs MINI are proud to give back to the community and look forward to welcoming families for an unforgettable Halloween experience. Bill Jacobs VW is located at 2211 Aurora Ave. near Bill Jacobs MINI at 2491 Aurora Ave., just east of Fort Hill Road.

Oct. 30 / The November edition of Positively Naperville will begin distribution Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 30. Look for a copy available for pick up from a newspaper rack at one of more than 30 distribution locations. The October issue is still available at most locations. Thanks for reading!

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.

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 300 dining locations with a variety of tastes to please every appetite for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner 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 sponsoring 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! We’re keenly aware this mid-month post is long as October always is a busy month. Thanks for reading all the way down!

Note also that this post may be updated throughout the month with new events. Some events may be deleted soon after they have happened.

Looking toward November…

Nov. 2 / Naperville Municipal Band will perform “Our Country” beginning at 3PM Sat., Nov. 2, on stage at the Wentz Concert Hall in the North Central College Fine and Performing Arts Center, Chicago Avenue at Ellsworth, just steps from downtown Naperville. All four indoor seasonal concerts are free of charge and open to the public. Consider dinner after the show!

Nov. 2 / Naperville Marines host annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball from 5PM to 11:30PM Sat., Nov. 2, at the Marriott in Naperville. Purchase tickets now. This ball typically is sold out more than a week in advance. The Marriott in Naperville is located at 1801 N. Naper Blvd.

Nov. 5 / General Election Day for hopefuls wanting to serve Naperville in DuPage County, Will County, Springfield and Washington, D.C. Polls are open 6AM to 7PM throughout Illinois.

Nov. 5 / Naperville City Council meets beginning at 7PM in Council Chambers in the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle Street.

Nov. 10 / The Naperville Marines will hold a flag raising at the Riverwalk Veterans Plaza at 9AM Thurs., Nov. 10, to celebrate the 249th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.  The ceremony will include members of the Marine recruiting station Naperville, the combined Honor Guard from American Legion post 43 and Judd Kendall  VFW post 3873.  The public is invited. (Kindly check time closer to Nov. 10. Thank you.)

Nov. 11 / Veterans Day observance at 11AM Nov. 11, “11-11-11,” at Veterans Park again will 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.

Nov. 12 / The next in a series of City Council Budget Workshops is set for 6 to 10PM Tues., Nov. 12, in City Council Chambers. This workshop will continue to discuss the proposed 2025 Annual Operating Budget and Capital Improvement. For individual agendas, visit naperville.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.

Nov. 15 / Naperville Responds for Veterans is set to host Cheers for Veterans from 6 to 10PM Fri., Nov. 15, at Bobak’s in Woodridge. Cocktail Reception precedes sit-down dinner 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! and 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!

Nov. 15 / Costume Party with Heroes, hosted by Naperville American Legion Post 43, is set from 7-10PM Fri., Nov. 15, at the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, 908 Jackson Avenue. Join families for fun at the Annual DuPage County Toys for Tots Fundraiser. Bring your singing voice and your best costume for a night filled with fun and philanthropy. This is a great chance to support a great cause while enjoying an evening of entertainment and community spirit. All proceeds will benefit DuPage County Toys for Tots. Need more info about Toys for Tots? Visit dupage-il.toysfortots.org.

PN File Photos / If photos are not visible, click “refresh” and they likely will appear. —PN

Last Updated, Oct. 23, 2024