Naperville Park District to host Halloween Happening, annual Pumpkin Smash

Kids, age 10 or younger, can join in Halloween-themed games and activity stations where they can collect treats and win prizes during the annual Halloween Happening on Sunday, Oct. 29.

The free event will be 1 to 4 p.m. at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, 912 Honorary Sindt Memorial Court, just west of Centennial Beach.

Additionally, families can enjoy a performance by Élan Dance Company at 1:15 p.m., a hayride, inflatables, food trucks and Tot Town, a special toddler area.

Everyone is welcome to wear family-friendly costumes to the event.

Food trucks on site will include Kona Ice and Badge Brew Coffee Roasters.

Thanks to the support of approximately 100 student volunteers and the event sponsors, the Naperville Park District is able to keep this event free for the community.

Sponsors of the 2023 event include the following businesses: Woody Buick/GMC (Presenting Sponsor), Rocket Ice, Living Well Dental Group, LeafGuard, TR Miller, Huck Bouma, Your Story Counseling, Raising Cane's, Russian School of Mathematics, Dave Steinbach-State Farm, Linda Neubauer-Baird and Warner, Great Lakes Credit Union, Old National Bank, Springrock Gutter Guards, American Family Care Urgent Care, FBC Remodel, Dry Bar and Harbor Chase.

"We look forward to hosting this popular community event," said Becca Krzyszkowski, volunteer and events manager. "We are always looking for more volunteers and invite high school students to learn more by applying to volunteer online at napervilleparks.org/volunteer."

Pumpkin Smash

The park district encourages families to save their leftover Halloween jack-'o-lanterns and pumpkins for composting at the Pumpkin Smash from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots, 811 S. West St.

Drop off your pumpkins or stay to help smash them directly into the garden soil.

Now in its seventh year, this event successfully adds the nutrients of leftover pumpkins to the soil and keeps them out of landfills.