Fox Valley Halloween events

Algonquin

• Students in kindergarten through second grades will march in a parade 25 minutes after Mass is finished on Friday, Oct. 30, at St. Margaret Mary School, 119 S Hubbard St., Algonquin. Students are asked to choose a saint and dress like he or she may have looked. Each student should hold a sign stating who they are. "Saints" are to bring their saint clothing in a bag to school Friday morning. Costumes should be very easy to put on as first- and second -graders will dress themselves; kindergartners will have some help. Clothing suggestions are sheets, towels, robes - very simple. The school wants the students to learn about the lives of saints. Dress doesn't matter. Cost should be nothing. The little saints will parade through the building for all classes to see. Parents are welcome to come to the gym only to take pictures. Dismissal will be at 11:55 a.m.

Dundee Township

• The Dundee Township Park District will celebrate Halloween this year with two hayrides. Spooky Trail, for ages 3 and older, will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. Ticket sales begin at 5 p.m.; children ages 2 and younger are free. The Spooktacular Hayride, for all ages, is scheduled for 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. Participants will visit Creepy Hollow and other scenes. Ghosts, goblins and all their spooky little cousins will greet guests along the way. Both events will be held at Randall Oaks Park, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. The fee is $5 per person, $4 per person with one can of food to be donated to the FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville. Many other activities, including refreshments and entertainment, will amuse you while you wait to take the haunted ride. In case of inclement weather, call (847) 428-7131 after 3 p.m. for event status.

• The Dundee Township Visitor's Center, 319 N. River St. in East Dundee, will host its 11th Great Pumpkin Contest Saturday, Oct. 31. There is no fee to enter. Entries may be dropped off between 8 a.m. and noon Saturday, Oct. 31. Judging starts at noon for the Largest Pumpkin (by weight) and the Best Decorated or Carved Pumpkin. First- to third-place prizes will be awarded for each category. Prizes include more than $1,000 worth of merchandise and gift certificates from area merchants and restaurants. The contest is sponsored by the Dundee Township Visitor's Center. Oct. 31 is also the last Saturday of the season for the Old Dundee Farmers Market, which takes place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the depot grounds. For details, call (847) 426-2255.

Elgin

• Join the Spring Hill Gymnastics Ghouls and Goblins in a special Halloween party open gym from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at 2750 Pinnacle Drive, Suite 200 (Northwest Corporate Park), Elgin. Visitors can do lots of tricks and have some treats. This party is for toddler and preschool-aged spooks. There will be games, a fun house maze and treats. Tots should wear movement-friendly costumes for the costume parade. Kids will create their own treat bag at the event. Cost is $8 for members, $10 for nonmembers. For details, call (847) 488-WINS (9467).

• A "Haunted House Spooktacular" will be from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at O'Connor-Leetz Funeral Home, 364 Division St., Elgin. Y103.9 FM will be broadcasting live. There will be raffles and treats. Admission is $5 per person. All proceeds will be donated to the Little Angels Center in Elgin. The haunted house is not for children younger than age 8. Visit www.spectacularhauntedhouse.com.

• Oak Crest Residence and Atrium Apartments, 204 S. State St., Elgin, invites all ghosts, goblins and little spooks ages 10 and younger from the community to attend "Grandma's Porch" from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. The event will be held rain or shine. The members have been decorating the east porch and preparing their costumes for this event. There is no charge. For details, call (847) 742-2255; ask for Zoila.

• Trunk-or-Treat will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Elgin Bible Church, 1580 E. Chicago St. Children can trick-or-treat by visiting many decorated car trunks filled with Halloween candy. There will also be a hayride, puppet show, a maze, food and games. There will be a $100 Toys-R-Us gift card as a door prize. The event is free. Wear costumes, if you wish. In case of rain, activities will be held inside the church. For details, visit elginbiblechurch.org or call Gayla at (847) 695-5733.

• Church in the Word in Elgin will hold its second annual Trunk-or-Treat festival on Saturday, Oct. 31. It features dozens of car trunks decorated and full of candy ready to be passed out to "Trunk or Treaters." The festival also features a moonwalk, inflatable obstacle course, crafts, and free food and drinks for those who attend. "Trunk or Treat" is completely free, open to the public and runs from 2 to 4 p.m. For information, contact Church in the Word at (847) 658-8888 or online at churchintheword.com.

• Dare to enter the Elgin Turner's Haunted Hall, 112 Villa St., and experience the horrors that have taken up residence on the third floor. Wind your way up the secret staircase to the maze of ghouls, goblins and other surprises. Hours are 7 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays and 7 to 10:30 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 31. Admission is $9. For details, visit elginturners.org/haunted.

• Evil Intention is hosting a Haunted House in Elgin. It is open select days through Nov. 1 at the old Elgin Casket Co. building, 900 Grace St., Elgin. Admission is $15. It is not recommended for children. For schedule of dates, visit www.evilscarecrew.com.

Hampshire

• The Hampshire Lions Club will host its Halloween Night Free Hot Dog Roast with entertainment at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Hampshire Elementary School, 321 Terwilliger St. Freddy Fredricks will entertain the audience at 6:45 p.m. The community is invited to this free event.

Lake in the Hills

• Haunt 31 at 340 S. Annandale Drive, Lake in the Hills, will run dusk to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and dusk to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, through Nov. 1, weather permitting. Animation does not operate in the rain. The display is free but donations are always appreciated. Donations can be sent via paypal to tobmaster340@sbcglobal.net or dropped into one of the donation boxes located throughout the haunt. Visit haunt31.com for details on this haunted yard display.

Union

• The Trick or Treat Trolley will be held Saturday, Oct. 31 at the Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, Union. Tricks and treats await riders at every stop on this spooky trolley ride. Kids in costume get a free prize. Admission is $7-$10. "Terror on the Railroad Haunted" event will be from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30-31. Join this Haunted Halloween Train experience. Visitors must be at least age 13 and in good health. Cost is $12. No passes honored. For details, call (800) 244-7245 or visit irm.org.

West Dundee

• Dress up your furry little friends and bring them to Center Court for Spring Hill Mall's Pet Costume Contest Wednesday, Oct. 28. Registration begins at 5 p.m., contest at 6 p.m. Prizes will be awarded in five different categories: best character look-a-like, cutest, scariest, funniest and most original costumes. For information, call (847) 428-2200. The mall is at routes 31 and 72 in West Dundee. On Thursday, Oct. 29, kids can trick-or-treat from 4 to 6 p.m. throughout Spring Hill Mall. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The popular free Halloween Costume Contest for kids will be held on stage beginning at 6:30 p.m. for children ages 12 and younger. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. Judging will be based on five different categories: best character look-a-like, cutest, scariest, funniest and most original costumes. A prize will be awarded for each category.

• Join a Halloween Party from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 in Grafelman Park in West Dundee. There will be fun activities for the whole family, from professional face painting (coordinate with your costume), to craft projects, a scavenger hunt, hayrides and more. Or just come out for a cup of hot cider, a hot dog and a round of Baggo. All activities are free and open to the public. Volunteers are needed to assist with this event. To sign up, call Kim at the West Dundee village hall, (847) 551-3800. The Halloween Party will be followed immediately by villagewide trick-or-treating from 2 to 7 p.m. Whether going door-to-door, handing out treats or driving through the village, celebrate safely and be courteous of others this Halloween.