What's All the Hoopla?

The Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce, the Des Plaines History Center, the Des Plaines Public Library, and the Des Plaines Park District will host the annual Halloween Hoopla on Saturday, October 25.

Spooky fun begins with a costume parade for kids, in and around Metropolitan Square and on Miner Street, and a day of safe trick or treating at participating businesses in Des Plaines, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. The 2014 parade steps off at 10:00am from the center of Metropolitan Square, and is led by Jewels the Clown. Children participating in the parade and wearing a costume will receive a special trick-or-treat bag and a prize.

From 11:00am until 4:00pm, the History Center will present its annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration with a sugar skull-painting and decorating workshop. The workshop is recommended for children ages 5-12 with an adult; the cost for members is $2, non-members $3. No registration is required. Visitors can also view the History Center's current display, Greetings from Des Plaines, an exhibit on travel to and from our city.

New for 2014, the Des Plaines Optimist Club is sponsoring Pumpkin Drag Races outside the Kinder House. Bring your own pumpkin racer to compete or borrow one from our scrapyard. Pumpkin racing is scheduled from noon until 3:00pm.

Join Des Plaines Park District staff and make a Spooky Halloween frame from 1:00-3:00pm at the Des Plaines Public Library. This will be followed by live family entertainment at 3:00pm from Magic Matt's Spooky Fun Magic and Balloon Show. Space is limited, free tickets will be passed out beginning at 2:30pm. Friends of the Library sponsor this show.

For more information about the event, contact any of the hosting agencies.

Des Plaines Park District: www.DPParks.org /847-391-5700

Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce: www.dpchamber.org / 847-824-4200

Des Plaines Public Library: www.dppl.org / 847-827-5551

Des Plaines History Center: www.desplaineshistory.org / 847-391-5399