Families can enjoy Halloween in daylight

Glen Ellyn families can dodge the ghosts, bats, scary music and Halloween spookiness this year by celebrating during daylight hours.

During Halloween Fun on Saturday, children can participate in a parade, crafts, trick-or-treating and, new this year, a Family Pumpkin Decorating Contest.

Families can bring decked-out or carved pumpkins to the Glen Ellyn Civic Center between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.. The decorations will be exhibited and judged for spookiest, funniest, most unique, hometown pride and best character likeness.

"It gives families a chance to create something at home on their own time, and then bring it all ready to display," said Kay Kendall, executive director of the village's chamber of commerce.

The event is hosted by the chamber, and has been a village tradition for 15 years.

Kendall said she's expecting about 300 kids to participate in the parade, and about 2,500 to trick-or-treat throughout the village's downtown.

"It brings people downtown. It brings them into the shops to get the candy so they can see the shops and see what we have to offer in Glen Ellyn, and it's just a day to have fun without having to spend money," she said.

Children can take part in the annual Glen Ellyn Kids' Parade, which kicks off at 10 a.m. at Prairie Path Park, led by members of the Glenbard West Marching Band.

Kids also can trick-or-treat in the downtown area from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The village's chamber will feature children's crafts, including face-painting, bean bag toss games and a variety of street performers on Main Street, which will be closed off to traffic from Crescent Boulevard to Pennsylvania Avenue until late afternoon.

The costumes surprise Kendall year after year.

"I just love the creativity every year," she said. "It amazes me how families decorate strollers and wagons, and children come in costumes that work together."

If you go

What: Halloween Fun

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: Downtown Glen Ellyn

Cost: Free

Details: (630) 469-0907