Lombard to host first-ever Spooktacular Fall Festival
Little kids like to look at pumpkins. Big kids like to watch pumpkins explode. And adults, well, some of them would like to celebrate fall with a drink in hand.
At downtown Lombard's first-ever Spooktacular Fall Festival, there's something for everybody, organizers say.
"My kids aren't going to want to go to the pumpkin patch and pick out pumpkins, but they'll sure want to see those pumpkins being blown up," said Judy Taaffe, a member of the Lombard Town Centre promotions committee. "And moms are going to love to be in the beer tent while the kids are running around. I think it's going to be something that everyone it going to enjoy."
The free event, which runs noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at St. Charles Road and Park Avenue, includes a pumpkin patch, hayrides, petting zoo, fortune teller booth, a spooky photo booth, bounce house, arts and crafts, games, a geode booth and a food, beer and wine venue.
People are encouraged to dress up and trick-or-treat throughout the downtown businesses. A costume contest for adults and children begins at 3:45 p.m.
Jamie Kashin, Town Centre promotions chair and board member who lead the push for the event, recalls growing up in Chicago and celebrating at a festival every weekend in the fall. When she came up with the idea and had the opportunity to start a new tradition of a fall festival in downtown Lombard, she ran with it.
"It was just an idea, but it kind of grew to have a mind of its own," she said. "Originally we thought it would take up a half a block. Then it grew to two blocks."
Kashin predicts that one of the children's favorites will be the First Crack Geode vendor.
"The kids are going to die over this - it's so cool," Kashin said. "They look like round rocks and the vendors cut them in half and there are all sorts of crystals inside. No one knows what they'll get until they're cut open."
Some arts and crafts and food vendors have charges.
So many suburban events are targeted for small children or older folks, Kashin said. This festival keeps people of all ages in mind, including those in their 20s, 30s and 40s who often get lost among the bounce houses and folk singers at other festivals.
That's why Kashin pushed to include a beer, wine and food venue, sponsored by Capone's. Additionally, Clancy's will host a traditional pig roast.
Live entertainment on the main stage includes an exotic animal show by Scales & Tales. Glenbard East students will blow up a pumpkin and conduct science experiments throughout the day.
Grab a candy apple kebab and mingle. Or stop by the Halloween safety course.
Makeup and hair artistry demonstrations will be presented by Night and Day Salon.
Additionally, 22 organizations each created a Halloween display to decorate downtown light poles. Festival goers will get the opportunity to vote on their favorite display, with the three winning groups being announced at the end of the evening.
"The downtown is really excited about this," Kashin said. "I've gotten nothing but great feedback. Everyone has been really supportive and helped as much as possible. A lot of businesses have organized in-store activities as well."
If you go
What: Spooktacular Fall Festival
When: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24
Where: St. Charles Road and Park Avenue, Lombard
Cost: Free
Info: (630) 613-9058 or (630) 620-8063