Lucy Schmidt directs traffic during the Spooky Trail event in Northbrook Saturday. The event featuring decorated homes and entertainment started at the Northbrook library and proceeded to the Northbrook Park District Leisure Center.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
As the winners of Northbrook's Spooky Trail decorating contest, the Unger family - with dozens of plastic and inflatable decorations outside their home on Charlemagne Drive - helped bring life the neighborhood on Halloween Saturday.
While practicing social distancing outdoors, families stopped by for some candy and the chance to admire the decorations that cover the front yard and driveway of the Unger's home.
"We just have to go crazy so the kids have something to smile about," Aaron Unger said. "I don't even want to see my electric bill."
Unger said his father-in-law presented the family with a single inflatable decoration seven years ago, and they have added dozens more since. His children, Evan, 15, and Ashley, 12, are now old enough to get the decorations out and set them up on their own.
Their home was one of 18 award winners that were part of the drive-by Spooky Trail event. Participants started at the Northbrook Public Library, where they were greeted by Halloween entertainment and given a map that led them to decorated homes in the village, then concluded at the Northbrook Park District Leisure Center for ice cream and more entertainment.
Cheryl Fayne-deParsio, staff liaison to the arts commission, said this is the first year for the event, and it was put together due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the desire to give residents a chance to enjoy Halloween safely.
"It's a way for people to have safe fun," Fayne-deParsio said. "It's been really popular. It's turned out to be one of those silver linings to the cloud."
Kathleen Rude portrays a raven during the Spooky Trail event in Northbrook Saturday.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
A decorated home on Maple Avenue is part of the Spooky Trail event in Northbrook Saturday.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
This home on Maple Avenue is part of the Spooky Trail event in Northbrook Saturday.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Northbrook's Spooky Trail event Saturday was organized to give residents a way to safely enjoy Halloween during the coronavirus pandemic.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
The Unger home on Charlemagne Drive is the winner of the during the Spooky Trail event in Northbrook Saturday. "We have to go crazy so the kids have something to smile about," said homeowner Aaron Unger.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Ashley Unger, 12, left, gets a hug from her brother, Evan, 15, during the Spooky Trail event in Northbrook Saturday.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
The Unger home on Charlemagne Drive is the winner of the during the Spooky Trail event in Northbrook Saturday. Aaron Unger says his father-in-law gave the family one decoration seven years ago and they've added dozens more since then.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
The Unger home on Charlemagne Drive is the winner of the during the Spooky Trail event in Northbrook Saturday. Families stopped by for candy and to admire the decorations as they made their way through the village to admire decorated homes.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Musician Dan Peters performs during the Spooky Trail event in Northbrook Saturday. The event was organized this year over safety concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "It's a way for people to have safe fun," said Cheryl Fayne-deParsio, staff liaison to the arts commission, which organized the event. "It's been really popular. It's turned out to be one of those silver linings to the cloud."
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com