Kid-friendly Halloween fun
For the littlest Halloween revelers among us, local event organizers are aiming for silly, slightly scary and, most of all, safe.
The weekend before Halloween begins with an early trick-or-treating event at Safety Town, a miniature neighborhood on the corner of Aurora and River roads where children ages 2 through 10 can practice good safety habits.
"They go to each of the little houses," said Joelle Janis, president of the Naperville Junior Woman's Club, the organization that runs Safety Town in cooperation with the Naperville police and fire departments.
More than 30 local businesses will pass out goodies, including candy and prizes, at stations set up outside the buildings.
Before the costumed little ones set out on their treat-collecting mission, they'll gather in a classroom where a police department representative will remind them and their parents of Halloween season safety precautions.
And while waiting to enter Safety Town, children will be treated to face painting, temporary tattoos and visits from several costumed characters, including McGruff the Crime Dog, said Heidi Larson, event chairwoman.
"We're going to have meet-and-greet characters come through the line throughout the day," she said.
Larson said the event receives generous community support, with a total of 28 sponsors, 15 of them new this year.
Janis said 1,500 to 2,000 children usually attend the event, planned this year for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.
The cost is $1 per child, plus the donation of one canned, nonperishable food item.
"At the end of the day, there's always a substantial donation to Loaves and Fishes (Community Pantry)," Janis said.
Trick-or-Trees
For the first time, Morton Arboretum in Lisle is opening its Trick-or-Trees children's event to everyone. In past years, the Halloween celebration has been for members only.
Children can wear their costumes and trick-or-"treet" by visiting costumed arboretum volunteers. Kids will be able to play a series of nature- and Halloween-themed games, make seasonal crafts, watch performances of Brothers Grimm tales and see a juggler and musician.
The Trick-or-Trees activities run 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25 and 26, and happen alongside the arboretum's Fall Color Festival, which features crafts, family activities and the Scarecrow Trail.
Tickets for Trick-or-Trees are $6 per person in addition to arboretum admission and may be purchased by calling (630) 725-2066.
Halloween Happening
On Sunday, Oct. 26, the Naperville Park District presents Halloween Happening, an annual tradition that offers more than 20 themed games and three inflatable rides along the Riverwalk near the Grand Pavilion.
There's also a pathway through a wooded area, marked with faux gravestones and featuring spooky music, that is known as the Halloween Happening "haunted trail."
"Not all the kids go back there because it is a little creepier," said Fred Gusel, park district superintendent of recreation.
Gusel said the free, rain-or-shine event, which runs 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, also will feature tractor-pulled hay rides, a hay maze, candy, prizes and a visit from a costumed character, Dora the Explorer.
Downtown Naperville
A few blocks east, in the heart of downtown, more than 40 merchants will offer candy and prizes to young trick-or-treaters from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday during a pre-Halloween event presented by the Downtown Naperville Alliance.
Katie Wood, the alliance's executive director, said volunteers will help trick-or-treaters safely cross intersections.
Downtown treats will be passed out on the sidewalk in front of the participating shops, which will be marked with signs in their windows, Wood said.
"Kids can come through the downtown and collect candy out in front of the stores," she said. "All the treats will be peanut-free and they'll be in their original wrappers so they'll be safe and secure. We do this every year as just a fun thing for kids to come down here. It's sort of back by popular demand. The merchants request it and they love it."
If you go
Safety Town trick-or-treat
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 25
Where: Safety Town, River Road at Aurora Avenue, Naperville
Who: For ages 2 to 10
Admission: $1 and one can of nonperishable food per trick-or-treater
Info: (630) 575-9567 or napervillejuniors.org
Trick-or-Trees
When: 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 25 and 26
Where: Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle
Cost: $6 plus regular admission
Info: (630) 725-2066 or mortonarb.org
Halloween Happening
When: 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 26
Where: Near the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion west of Centennial Beach, Naperville
Admission: Free
Info: (630) 848-5000 or napervilleparks.org
Downtown trick-or-treat
When: Noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 26
Where: Downtown Naperville
Admission: Free
Info: (630) 355-4141 and downtownnaperville.net