Riverwoods residents invited to annual Halloween party

Posted October 21, 2014 11:00 pm

Riverwoods submission

Bob Gand sponsors the Hootnanny Hayrides at the annual Riverwoods Halloween Party. This year's celebration is from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Village of Riverwoods, 300 Portwine Road. Courtesy of Jackie Borchew

On Saturday, Oct. 25, laughter will fill the air as residents come together for the annual Riverwoods Halloween Party.

This party, which grew out of a desire to offer a safe gathering for the children of Riverwoods following the 9/11 attacks in 2001, was an idea of the mothers who made up the Riverwoods play group and the wife of then Mayor Kaplan, Sherry Kaplan.

Each year since, residents of all ages have come together on the Saturday before Halloween to sing and dance, enjoy pizza and hot dogs, show off fun costumes, gather candy and claim a spot around the bonfire to create s'mores.

The highlight of the party is the Hootnanny Hayride. Children arrive early to get in line to climb aboard the horse-drawn wagon. The hayride is sponsored by Bob Gand and his Village Music Store. Gand's musical staff, including Caroline Freer and Abigail Haugen, will once again provide music and singalongs.

Haugen plays fiddle and penny whistle, while Freer leads the singing of folk and children's songs as the wagon travels the back roads of Riverwoods.

The event is from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Village of Riverwoods, 300 Portwine Road, Riverwoods. Admission is free to all Riverwoods residents. For details, contact the Riverwoods Village Hall at (847) 945-3990. To volunteer, call (847) 602-8508.

Fun costumes are on display at the Riverwoods Halloween Party. Courtesy of Jackie Borchew

Lake County Animal Warden Rene shows off her exotic reptile friends at a previous Riverwoods Halloween Party. Courtesy of Jackie Borchew

Riverwoods Mayor John Norris and Police Chief Bruce Dayno at a previous village Halloween party. Courtesy of Jackie Borchew

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