A frighteningly good time at Lombard fall fest

Posted October 14, 2009 11:00 pm

By Sara Hooker

Whether children dive right into a pile of hay searching for candy or take a tentative walk through the Fright House, organizers of Lombard Park District's Fall Festival this weekend believe children will have a good time.

The event Saturday, Oct. 17, at Lombard Common, at the corner of Grace Street and St. Charles Road, includes free children's activities at the Pumpkin Patch in addition to Boo Bingo and a Fright House.

The festival is typically very well-attended, with about 700 people last year, said Patti Doell, park district program manager.

The Pumpkin Patch, an entirely free event from 3 to 5 p.m., takes place near the basketball courts in Lombard Common. Activities include pony rides, hay rides, a Jack-o-lantern inflatable bounce house, a candy hunt, a magician, a juggler on stilts, and pumpkin decorating.

Doell, who oversees the candy hunt, said a big circle is made out of hay bales with candy sprinkled in.

"With the little kids, their bags come out with more hay than candy," Doell said. "They're more interested in getting that hay into the bag."

Doell also leads Boo Bingo, a Halloween adaptation of bingo that has become an annual favorite at the festival. Boo Bingo runs 5 to 7 p.m. and includes several prizes throughout with a grand prize of dinner and a movie.

"The kids munch on candy the whole time," Doell said. "We sugar them up and they can win prizes throughout the night."

Boo Bingo costs $5 for residents, $8 for others. Because of its popularity, people are required to register for event.

New to the festival this year is the Fright House, said Matt Fairbanks, special events and general program manager.

The family event will resemble a carnival-like trip through Paradise Bay water park and the community building with several themes along the way, including the Washington Cemetery, dark magic circle, crazy kitchen and monster maze.

"It's not excessively scary, depending on what the age group is going through. There's no blood and guts," he said. "But with it being brand new, it'll be an element of surprise for all ages."

The Fright House takes place from 8 to 9:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. Admission is $5 for residents, $6 for others, or $17 for a family of four.

For information, call (630) 620-7322 or visit lombardparks.com.

"It's fun because everybody is so happy to come there and have a good time," Doell said. "Hopefully it'll be nice out. It's always better if the sun is shining."

Lombard Park District Fall Festival When: 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 Where: Lombard Common, at the corner of Grace Street and St. Charles Road Cost: Free from 3 to 5 p.m.; fees for activities after 5 p.m. Info: (630) 620-7322 or <a href="http://lombardparks.com" target="new">lombardparks.com</a>

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