October Days returning to Historic Long Grove
Historic Downtown Long Grove (www.longgrove.org) is embracing autumn with a month full of seasonal activities this October. Highlighted by a variety of exciting events and atmosphere, the annual Long Grove October Days offers adults, children, and families alike, several opportunities to enjoy the sights, sounds, and thrills of the season with a vintage small-town setting as the backdrop. Visitors can look for the following special events throughout the month:
Scarecrow Day: Oct. 7
The suburb's biggest homage to scarecrow-making is returning for October Days 2023. DIY Scarecrow Day is an afternoon (noon to 4 p.m.) dedicated to harvesting family fun. On Oct. 7, Scarecrow engineers are invited to build their own custom scarecrow, which will subsequently be displayed in town for the rest of October Days. Participants are encouraged to plan ahead, gather clothing and accessories, and register in advance (through longgrove.org). A small registration fee per scarecrow earns each group of builders a wood base, hay for stuffing, and building guidance from a team of volunteers. October Days strollers will be encouraged to vote for the funniest, scariest, and most creative scarecrows!
Witches Night Out: Oct. 12
Village merchants on Oct. 12 will stay open late (5 to 8 p.m.) for grown-up witches and warlocks to have fun shopping, sipping, and dining. Participating businesses throughout town will feature specials, discounts, giveaways, and more for all the little pretties who attend. Those who register in advance through LongGrove.org or at the event will be entered to win prizes donated by merchants throughout the night.
Pet Costume Parade: Oct. 15
Pets throughout the region are invited to claw into their best Halloween duds and howl at the moon at the annual Pet Costume Parade on Oct. 15. It's free to enter or watch the parade, but all dogs must remain leashed while parading. The event begins at approximately 11:15 a,m., with a dog agility training demo led by an expert team who will guide them through an obstacle course. All shapes and sizes of dogs are encouraged to participate as they wind through hoops and tunnels and over fences. The parade itself will step-off around noon and crisscross through historic downtown Long Grove. Lastly, a best dressed pet costume contest will cap things after the parade wraps up.
Trick or Treating and Ghost Walk: Oct. 27
Downtown Long Grove business doors will open from 3 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 27 for a village-wide 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 5 to 8 p.m., the Long Grove Historical Society presents the legendary Ghost Walk. This family-friendly event involves a guided tour through the woods and town with spooky stories about Long Grove's remarkable haunted history and surprise thrills along the way!
The events will take place throughout downtown Long Grove, 145 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove.