Fall fun for everyone at the Naperville Park District
The Naperville Park District offers a variety of October events for the community to enjoy in celebration of the fall season and Halloween.
Beginning Friday, Oct. 2, the Naperville Park District will host Summer Place Theatre's "Ghost Stories in the Park … In the Dark" at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion. Tickets are available at the door or through the Naperville Park District at www.napervilleparks.org or at the administrative offices at 320 W. Jackson Ave.
Shows run Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings Oct. 2-4 and Oct. 9-11. The Riverwalk Grand Pavilion is located along the Riverwalk just west of Centennial Beach. This event is appropriate for adults and children ages 5 and up.
Fall hayrides will take place at both Seager Park and Knoch Knolls Park each weekend in October. The outings include a ride through the woods, a campfire and hot chocolate. A special Halloween Hayride is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 25 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Knoch Knolls Park. Participants can dress up in a costume and each child receives a goody bag. Registration is required for this event and all hayrides and is available online at www.napervilleparks.org.
"Pumpkin Decorating and S'mores" will take place on Sat., Oct. 24 at Seager Park. Each registered child receives a pumpkin and everything needed to dress it up for Halloween. Games, prizes, hayrides and s'mores are included. Families are welcome to participate together. Session one is from 9-10 a.m. and session two is from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Fall nature programs at the Knoch Knolls Nature Center include the following:
• Eco-Explorers: Knee High Naturalists for kids ages 4-5. Each week features a different theme. The program runs weekly from Sept. 9 to Oct. 31. Themes include: Busy Beavers, Towering Flowers, Super Duper Spiders, Autumn is Here, Harvest Time, Scurrying Squirrels, From Seed to Pumpkin, Rascally Raccoons and Going Batty.
• Family Hike to the Confluence: Take an early morning hike to the confluence of the East and West Branches of the DuPage River at 7 a.m. on Sept. 5.
• Family Nature Nights - One Saturday evening each month at Knoch Knolls Nature Center. Topics include: Acrobatic Bats, Autumn is Here, Turkey Time and Beautiful Evergreens.
• Bird Walks at Knoch Knolls Park on Saturdays at 8 a.m. from Sept. 5-Oct. 10.
• Family Campout at Knoch Knolls Park - Sept. 12-13. Enjoy nature games, supper, a twilight hike and s'mores around the campfire
• Father/Son Campout at Knoch Knolls Park - Sept. 26-27. Camping fun especially for fathers and sons. Games, s'mores, a night hike, and breakfast are included.
Additionally, several science and technology programs will focus on Halloween themes: Halloween Workshop with Lego and Junior Halloween Workshop with Lego® on Oct. 31, Halloween Potions, Elixirs and Mixtures on Oct. 24, and Halloween Gooey Concoctions on Oct. 24.
To register for any of the above programs, visit www.napervilleparks.org.
Free events include the Scare-illon concert from 7-8 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the Millennium Carillon, located at the base of Rotary Hill at 443 Aurora Ave. and Halloween Happening from 1-4 p.m. on Oct. 25 at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion.
The Scare-illon concert, scheduled from 7-8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, will feature both classical and popular music with spooky and atmospheric themes played by Naperville City Carillonneur Tim Sleep. Special guests this year include Élan Dance Company dancers, who will perform special Halloween-themed dances. Élan Dance Company is a program of the Naperville Park District and is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
A Naperville Park District tradition for nearly 35 years, Halloween Happening will take place at the Grand Pavilion at the Riverwalk from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, October 25. This free event is designed for children ages 10 and under with four themed areas, where they can collect treats, play games and win prizes. The four themed areas include Halloween Way, Fairytale Lane, King Arthur's Court, and Adventure Alley. Kids are welcome to wear their favorite costumes to the event.