A spooktacular season
From Antioch to Waukegan, there's a lot of scaring going on for Halloween. The following is a list of Halloween activities for this weekend and next. Take a look … if you dare.
Antioch
Halloween Howl: Visit downtown Antioch Friday and Saturday during the village's annual Halloween Howl.
The festival will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
Activities include hayrides, fortune telling, a haunted graveyard, coloring contests, games, Dracula disco and a mummy's tomb.
There will be a costume contest Saturday evening. For more information, call the village hall at (847) 395œ6342.
Buffalo Grove
Hidden pumpkins: The Buffalo Grove Park District has hidden pumpkins at Willow Stream Park for guests to find, then bring to the redemption station to collect prizes. The hunts starts at 9 a.m. Oct. 27 for ages 3 to 10, at Willow Stream Park, 600 N Farrington Drive, Buffalo Grove. Admission is $5 for residents, $10 for nonresidents. For more information, call (847) 850-2119.
Pumpkin walk: Friendly characters will line the path at the Buffalo Grove Park District Golf and Sports Center, 801 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove, to hand out candy and small prizes to children from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 28.
Children will also have the opportunity to pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch to carve or decorate, get their face painted and more. This event is a no-scare zone for kids ages 1 to 12. Parents must accompany children. Admission is $6 for residents $9 for nonresidents. For more information, call (847) 850-2119.
Grayslake
Puppet show: Mad Scientist Boris Von Puppenspiel and Frankie Monster will present a Halloween-themed marionette variety show at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Grayslake Area Public Library, 100 Library Lane, Grayslake. This is a free family performance, but tickets are required. Call (847) 223-5313 or visit www.grayslake.info.
Halloween Hoopla: This non-scary Halloween Celebration is designed for children ages 1 to 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. today (rain date is Friday) at the Central Park Walkway, near the Grayslake Park District Aquatic Center, off of Library Lane.
The event will include Trick-or-Treat Walking Path, hay rides, kids storytelling at pavilion, free balloons and refreshments.
Advance registration cost is $6 per child; cost at the door is $7 per child (Parents and children 12 months and under get in free).
Parking will be available at the Aquatic Center and middle school. For more information, call (847) 223-7529.
Halloween Scavenger Hunt: Join a scavenger hunt in three park district parks from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. There will be clues to follow to find all sorts of prizes. Transportation to the park sites will be by park district van. This program will be fully chaperoned. Bring a flashlight. This program is for children 8 to 10 years old. Drop off and pick up will be at the GLPD Rec Center. Cost is $22 for residents and $28 for nonresidents. For more information, call (847) 223-7529. The Grayslake Park District office is at 240 Commerce Drive.
Halloween Ghost Walk: The Annual Grayslake Ghost Walk, from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 26 in the Central Park Woods, is recommended for ages 11 years and up, or with parental discretion.
This event will include a Scary Walk-through Trail, bonfire and refreshments. Parking will be available at the Middle School and Aquatic Center. Cost is $4 per person, payable at door.
For more information, call (847) 223-7529. The Grayslake Park District office is at 240 Commerce Drive.
Gurnee
Halloween Spooktacular: Children ages 4 to 8 are invited to come to the Gurnee Park District's Halloween Spooktacular Party from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Viking Park Dance Hall in Viking Park at 4374 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee.
Activities will include a hayride (weather permitting) crafts and games. Halloween treats will be served (event does not include dinner). The cost to take part is $7 for residents, $9 for nonresidents. Parents and guardians do not need to attend. For more information, call (847) 623-7788 or visit gurneeparkdistrict.com.
Trick-or-Treat Path: Kids ages 1 to 6 can go trick-or-treating from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 26 in Viking Park in Gurnee. Children will get to see at least 30 different characters. The atmosphere will be fun and not scary.
Children will walk from "house to house" receiving treats from each of the costumed characters. Snacks and cocoa will be available.
The fee is $6 for residents, $8 for nonresidents. In case of inclement weather, the trick-or-treat path will be held indoors at the Viking Community Center.
For more information, call the Gurnee Park District at (847) 623-7788 or visit gurneeparkdistrict.com.
Lake Zurich
Cuba Road film series: Watch "The Legends of Cuba Road" and "Return to Cuba Road," rated PG-13 and meet the stars of these horror films from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. The films are based on ghostly legends that take place on nearby Cuba Road.
Sign up for this free event by calling the library at (847) 438-3433 during normal business hours or on the library's Web site at www.eapl.org
Spooky Tunes: Enjoy an evening of entertaining and not-too-spooky Halloween songs at 6 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Presented by musician Carol Weston, this event is for children of all ages and their family. No registration is required. For more information, call the Children's Department at (847) 438-3840.
Libertyville
Halloween Fest: Visitors are invited to take a scary walk through Adler Park from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 26.
Participants can take a hay ride, listen to a spooky story teller or participate in games. Admission is $5 a car and is open to all ages.
Adler Park is located on North Milwaukee Avenue, just south of Route 137 and north of Winchester Road.
Haunted Harvest: The Third Annual Haunted Harvest at Lambs Farm is open every Saturday through October.
The event transforms the Lambs Farm Farmyard into an eerie Halloween festival. It runs from 6 to 10 p.m. each Saturday and features Graveyard Golf, a Creature Walk and an Enchanted Carousel. The Train of Terror ride features live monsters and ghouls, lurking in the woods. Food, beverages and pumpkins available for purchase.
Admission is $15 for an all-night pass; free for children under age 3 with purchase of an adult pass. Individual event pricing available for $3-$5 per event. Parking is free. Lambs Farm is located at 14245 W. Rockland Road, near Libertyville. For more information, call (847) 362-4636 or visit www.lambsfarm.org.
Halloween Bash: Come in costume to the library's first Halloween Party for teens, with food, games and prizes for best costume, at 2 p.m. Oct. 27 in the Program Room of the Cook Park Library, 413 Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. For more information, call (847) 362-2330 or visit www.cooklib.org.
Improv Playhouse: Improv Playhouse will hold a free community Halloween party from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 27 at its black box theater, 735 North Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, in the Liberty Square Shopping Center.
Activities include Halloween face painting by Amanda Cohen and staff from 5 to 6 p.m.; a kids costume contest parade and karaoke from 6 to 7 p.m.; a Halloween comedy performance by "Happy Days" actor Harris Kal from 7 to 8 p.m.; and a teen and adult costume parade and contest from 8 to 9 p.m.
There will be prizes provided by Rocky Mountain Chocolate, local restaurants and entertainment venues; along with hoodies, free candy and more.
For more information, call (847) 968-4529 or visit www.improvplayhouse.com.
Lincolnshire
At the Vernon Area Library: 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. All programs require registration. Call (847) 634-3650 or visit www.vapld.info.
• Get into the Halloween spirit with ghost stories at 7 p.m. today. Supernatural and paranormal expert Dale Kaczmarek will tell tales of Chicago and suburban locations considered to be haunted.
• GreatWORKS Theatre Company presents "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," a theatrical adaptation of Washington Irving's classic. This blend of comedy and seasonal spookiness gives a glimpse of life in New England during the 1800s, at 2 p.m. Sunday.
• "Scary Stories, Tragic Tales and Dreadful Dramas" is a storytelling hour filled with tales of woe and wicked deeds at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
• Chef Michael Niksic will give a presentation on Halloween gingerbread houses, with professional tips to help participants create a work of art at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 25.
Lindenhurst
Haunted Trail and Bonfire: The Lindenhurst Park District's Haunted Trail and Bonfire will be held Saturday at Forest View Park, 513 Forest View Drive, Lindenhurst.
Visitors to the Haunted Trail will walk along a curvy tree-lined path in the dark, lit only by luminarias, passing through 12 different scenes.
The Haunted Trail will be open from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. and admission is a $1 donation per person. The event also features wagon rides through McDonald Woods Forest Preserve for $1 or one canned food item per person from 3 to 6 p.m.
Costume judging contests for ages 3-5, 6-8, and 9-11 will be held at 3:30 p.m.; prizes will be awarded. The event will also include refreshments, face painting, moonwalk and kids' games, and pumpkins and gourds for sale.
At dusk the Lake Villa Volunteer Fire Department will start a bonfire and apple cider heated in a cauldron will be served. In case of bad weather, the festivities will take place at 5 p.m. at the Lindenhurst Park District Community Center. For details, call (847) 356-6011 or visit lindenhurstparks.org.
Halloween Costume Party: Come to the Lindenhurst Park District's Halloween party in costume from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 26. Take part in activities, snacks and games. The event is for ages 3 to 6 and the cost is $17 for residents, $21 for nonresidents. The Lindenhurst Park District is at 2200 East Grass Lake Road. For details, call (847) 356-6011 or visit lindenhurstparks.org.
Halloween Party: Come to the Lindenhurst Park District's annual Halloween Party at noon Oct. 30. Wear a costume or not. Just bring a dish or dessert to share. Sign up at the front desk and tell them what you would like to bring. There will be games and prizes. The cost is $2. The Lindenhurst Park District is at 2200 East Grass Lake Road. Call (847) 356-6011 or visit lindenhurstparks.org.
Long Grove
Halloween Adventure: Alden Long Grove, Box 2308 Old Hicks Road, holds its Halloween Adventure from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 31. Costume contest, pumpkin contest and trick-or-treating. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free and open to the public. For more information, call (847) 438-8275.
Mundelein
Teen Halloween: Teens in seventh through 12th grades can register for the Fremont Public Library's annual Teen Halloween program. The unpredictable after-hours event will run from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 26. The Fremont Public Library is at 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Call the library at (847) 918-3225.
Chilling stories for kids: For children in second through sixth grades, Paddy Lynn, Mundelein's noted story actor will present a spine-tingling variety of "Chillers" at 2 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Fremont Public Library. Her stories will put listeners in the mood for Halloween and might give them the willies, but won't give them nightmares. The Fremont Public Library is at 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Call the library at (847) 918-3225.
Round Lake Area
Great Pumpkin Celebration: The Round Lake Area Park District will hold its Great Pumpkin Celebration from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Robert W. Rolek Communtiy Cetner, 814 Hart Road, Round Lake.
Featured will be a Halloween fantasy maze, carnival games with prizes, indoor trick or treating, kids entertainment, hayrides, as well as food and refreshments for purchase.
There will also be a costume contest for all ages. Admission is free.
Vernon Hills
Fall fest: Fall Fest will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Sullivan Community Center, 635 N. Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills.
Children will enjoy trick-or-treating from local vendor's tables in addition to a magic show, balloon artist, face painter, crafts, Panic Room, carnival games and costume contest. Refreshments will be available for sale. Tickets are $1 per person, 2 years and older, and can be purchased at the Sullivan or Laschen Community Centers. Tickets will be $5 on the day of event.
For more information, visit (847) 996-6933 or visit www.vhparkdistrict.org.
Wauconda
Spooky stories: The Wauconda Park District will hold an evening of spooky ghost stories in the park Saturday at 7 p.m. A storyteller will tell classic ghost stories, rated PG, outside the park district Community Center, 600 N. Main St. in Wauconda. The event will be outside so attendees should be sure to dress for the weather.
Waukegan
Teen party: The Lake County Council Against Sexual Assault's Real Kids Creating A Rape-Free Environment group and Bertrand Bowling Alley will team to hold the second annual teen costume and bowling party from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 26 at Bertrand Bowling Alley, 2616 Washington St., Waukegan.
With the theme "Be Creative," this year's costume bowling party fundraiser offers teens the chance to win prizes by coming up with unique costumes. Guests also can enjoy unlimited pizza, soda, bowling, music and fun.
The event also encourages young people to think of creative ways to help create a rape-free environment for themselves and their friends.
For details, call (847) 244-1187 ext. 26 send e-mail to realkidscare@lacasastoprape. org.
Halloweenfest: The Waukegan Park District, the Great Lakes Credit Union and the City of Waukegan are partnering to host Halloweenfest from 3 to 8 p.m. Oct. 27 in Bowen Park, 1800 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan.
Free activities include a haunted house with six rooms, a haunted walk that takes guests into the woods, an enchanted walk with a Dr. Seuss theme for children ages 3 to 8, magic shows, children's games and crafts, fortune teller shows, train rides through the park, a bounce house and adrenaline maze for kids, a costume contest, walk-around entertainment, and a live band.
Admission is free. Food will be available for purchase. For more information, call the Waukegan Park District at (847) 360-4700.
Forest preserve fun
Pumpkin tales: On Wednesday, bring the tots to the Lake County Discovery Museum for Pumpkin Tales from 10 to 11 a.m.
Museum staff will spin a slightly spooky Halloween story, then kids will complete a related craft project. Costumes are encouraged.
The free program is for children five and under with an adult. Registration is required. Lakewood is on Route 176 just west of Fairfield Road near Wauconda.
Halloween hikes: On. Oct. 26 and 27, families with children up to 12 can enjoy the popular, hour-long, guided candlelight stroll through Ryerson Woods.
The hikes stop several times to watch costumed performances and creatures along the way will teach participants about nature.
After the hike, participants can sit in front of a fireplace in a cozy log cabin with cider and a fresh doughnut. Halloween hikes are offered ever half hour from 6 to 8 p.m.
Cost is $9 ($7 for Lake County residents) per person. Children three and under are free.
Ryerson Woods is on Riverwoods Road between Half Day Road and Deerfield Road, just west of the Tri-State Tollway near Deerfield.
Haunted trails: Wrapping up the activities is Trick-or-Treat Trails from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Greenbelt Cultural Center.
Participants can trick or treat along haunted trails, watch Halloween movies, make crafts, play games or take a hay ride at this free family event.
While all ages are invited, Trick-or-Treat Trails is recommended for those 12 and under. There are about 10 stations along the trail.
Advance registration is appreciated at (847) 968-3477.
Greenbelt is on Green Bay Road between 10th and 14th streets south of Route 120 near North Chicago.
Call (847) 968-3321 or visit www.lcfpd.org to register for the other events.