Dive into fall fun at Lombard festival

The Lombard Park District is helping families enjoy the beginning of autumn this weekend with its annual Fall Festival.

Activities begin at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, with a haunted house through the locker room of Paradise Bay Water Park and Lombard Common, Program Manager Matt Fairbanks said.

“This year the haunted house has been modified a little bit, Fairbanks said. “It's going to be a little bit longer.

Boy Scouts in costumes will scare haunted house participants and also will roam a maze set up in one of the larger rooms of the haunted house, Fairbanks said.

The fright house continues Saturday night, with hours from 8 to 9:30 p.m. both days.

A pumpkin patch with free fun including carnival games, a bounce house and hayrides will be the main draw Saturday afternoon, Fairbanks said.

“The pumpkin patch is a free event, so it's a great chance for all the families to come out, he said.

Concessions will be for sale, and kids also can participate in a free candy hunt.

“I've run the candy hunt game, which is fun, where we hide candy in straw or hay, Program Manager Patti Doell said. “Some kids get more hay in their bags than candy.

A Halloween-themed bingo game is also part of the Saturday evening festivities, but participants must register and pay a fee before attending. Bingo winners can earn prizes including gift cards and vouchers for park district programs, Fairbanks said.

“It's a fun day, especially if it's nice outside, Doell said.