Downtown Long Grove transforms into Halloween Town

Historic downtown Long Grove will once again transform into Halloween Town during October.

Highlighted by a variety of Halloween and harvest-themed events, Halloween Town offers families an opportunity to enjoy the thrills of the season with a vintage, small-town setting as the backdrop.

It's also an opportunity for fans of historic Long Grove to experience its newly installed, modern charms such as new sidewalks and nighttime lighting.

Key Halloween Town dates include:

• Saturday, Oct. 12, Scarecrow Day: Scarecrow engineers are invited to amass outside The Country House, 430 Robert Parker Coffin Road, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to build their own custom scarecrows (and get a free pumpkin, while supplies last).

Each set of builders will receive a wood base, a bale of hay, and building guidance; however, participants are asked to bring old clothing, shoes, hats, gloves, and accessories to dress their creations to their liking.

Thereafter, all scarecrows are propped up throughout the village for the rest of the month.

• Thursday, Oct. 17, Witches Night Out: The second annual Witches Night Out event takes place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 17 throughout Halloween Town. Stores stay open late on this date for grown-up witches and warlocks to have fun shopping, sipping and nibbling during this harvest-themed boutique hop. There'll also be sugary treats for the kids who accompany their parents.

• Friday, Oct. 25, Trick-or-Treating and Ghost Walk: Halloween Town business doors open from 2-5 p.m. Oct. 25 for a villagewide trick-or-treat blitz. Parents and kids are invited to test out their Halloween costumes while strolling around town enjoying free sweets from store owners.

Then, from 6-9 p.m., the Long Grove Historical Society presents the legendary Ghost Walk. This family-friendly event involves an hourlong, guided tour through Halloween Town with stories about Long Grove's haunted history and surprise thrills along the way.

• Sunday, Oct. 27, Halloween Hound Parade: Pets and their owners are invited to march through Halloween Town in costume Oct. 27 at the second annual Halloween Hound Parade (weather permitting). Stepping off at noon, the parade will proceed through town and end with a Halloween Hound Party.

A panel of judges will be on hand to select the winners of the Halloween Hound Costume Contest, bestowing prizes and awards in several categories, like best costumed owner/pet duo, best costumed pet duo, etc.

For details, visit www.longgrove.org.

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