Fox Valley Halloween events

Dundee Township-Oct.24th

• The Dundee Township Park District will celebrate Halloween this year with two exciting Hayrides. Spooky Trail, for ages 3 and older, will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24. This is a great alternative for young children and those people who do not like surprises. Age 2 and younger are free. Ticket sales begin at 5 p.m.

• The Spooktacular Hayride, for all ages, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24. Participants will visit Creepy Hollow and other scenes. Ghosts, goblins and all their spooky little cousins will greet guests along the way. Tickets will be sold from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday only. There will be no ticket sales after 9 p.m.

Both events will be held at Randall Oaks Park, at 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. The fee is $5 per person or $4 per person with one can of food to be donated to the F.I.S.H. pantry in Carpentersville. Many other activities, including refreshments and entertainment, will amuse you while you wait to take the haunted ride.

In case of inclement weather, call (847) 428-7131 after 3 p.m. for event status.

South Elgin-Oct.25-26th

Ghosts, goblins and friendly spooks of all sizes and shapes will fill the historic trolley cars of the Fox River Trolley Museum the weekend before Halloween.

The Haunted Trolley returns to the museum, on Route 31 in South Elgin, weekend of Oct. 25-26, during regular museum hours. It's a spooky good time for children of all ages.

The Haunted Trolley is a specially-decorated vintage trolley car, and the ride is appropriate for all ages. Regular fares apply for this special event, which runs 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. both days.

But that's not all that's making October pook-tacular month at the museum. Ride the "Halloween Hiawatha," the Ghost Story Train, Oct. 19. The reserved-seating, after-hours Ghost Story Trains entertain children, their daddies and mummies. Those who dare can experience a campfire along the shores of the Fox River with ghoulishly delightful ghost stories. Reserve your seats now. Three other days have already sold out.

Tickets for the Halloween Hiawatha are $10, and seats can be reserved through the museum's Reservations page at foxtrolley.org/reservations.html.

No tickets will be sold the night of Ghost Story Train events, and no reservations can be taken over the phone.

The Fox River Trolley Museum is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to perpetuating the memories of Chicago's once-burgeoning electric railroad industry. The museum, at 361 S. LaFox St., on Route 31 in South Elgin, is open on operating days 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., except as noted. Regular fares are $3.50 for adults, $2 both for senior citizens and for children ages 3-11. Children under 3 ride free.

For additional information, or to rent a train, call (847) 697-4676.