Trick or Treat with Pirate Pete on October 29

Palatine High School presents the annual free Trick or Treat with Pirate Pete event on Thursday, October 29 from 5:00pm to 6:30pm at Palatine High School, 1111 N. Rohlwing Road, Palatine.

Children ages ten and under, accompanied by an adult, are invited to attend this free annual celebration of the fall season. Students from a variety of Palatine High School clubs, organizations, programs, and athletic teams will staff the event. The gym and cafeteria will have a large selection of carnival type games for the children to play. Classrooms throughout the first floor of the school will be decorated using themes. Each classroom has a sign outside letting parents know if the room is "scary" or "not scary" for the children. Many treats will be handed out at the event.

Twenty years ago, Gary Steiger, now principal at Palatine High School, had three young children. It was Halloween, and the weather was cold and rainy. A friend told him that Randhurst Mall was hosting an indoor trick or treat event at their facility. The family attended the Randhurst event, and the idea was born to host a similar event at the high school. Steiger planned the first trick or treat event at Fremd High School, and has been hosting the event at Palatine High School for the last 19 years. Steiger looks at the event as a way to give back to the Palatine community, saying "The trick or treat festival started out as a small way to allow our students to give back to the community of Palatine and has become such a big part of our community that it is wonderful to see. It really is a great community event that lets our Pirates give back by providing our future Pirates a warm, dry and safe place to go trick or treating.

Palatine High School Chemistry teacher Nicki O'Keefe, who is helping plan the event this year, remembers Trick or Treat with Pirate Pete from her time at Palatine High School as a student when she enjoyed decorating a room for the local community children to trick or treat safely. O'Keefe said, "This is a great opportunity for families to bring their children to a warm, safe and friendly environment to trick or treat."

The event is sponsored by Palatine High School staff and student groups along with community organizations and businesses. One of the annual sponsors is the PHS Pirate Boosters. The Booster Club provides an annual grant of $1,700 to subsidize the supplies and candy purchases. In addition, the Booster Club president sends a letter to area businesses soliciting treats and supplies for the event. According to PHS Pirate Boosters Co-President Alissa DePue, "The PHS Pirate Boosters exist to enhance the PHS experience for our students. We do this both monetarily and through deed. Supporting the trick or treat festival is one way we demonstrate that mission. By aiding our community, all children - student volunteers and young attendees alike - are impacted in a positive and meaningful way."

For more information about Trick or Treat with Pirate Pete, please call Palatine High School at 847-755-1600.