Safety Town offers kids alternative for trick-or-treating

If you're a parent worried that trick-or-treating is just too scary these days, the Naperville Junior Woman's Club has just the event to help you relax.

Club members and Naperville police will co-sponsor Trick-or-Treat at Safety Town for children ages 2 to 10 Saturday near the police station, 1350 Aurora Ave.

Kids can roam through Safety Town, a scaled-down version of Naperville streets, to collect goodies from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. -- all without the usual risks of the holiday tradition.

"It's a great way for kids to have a safe way to trick-or-treat," event chairwoman and club member Denise Petty said.

"We're lucky, Naperville is a safe community," she said. "But you still have to kind of be careful."

For at least the past 10 years, children have donned Halloween disguises and entered the tiny town dressed as pumpkins, witches, ghosts and cartoon characters. They're greeted by Safety Town volunteers who are similarly garbed.

Because only two of the buildings in Safety Town are large enough to permit entry, children will visit about 26 "stations" scattered throughout the town rather than approach front doors. They'll be greeted with treats that include candy and small toys, such as spider rings and stickers, Petty said.

Before each group of trick-or-treaters enters the streets of Safety Town, children and parents will hear about safety tips during a police presentation in Safety Town's classroom.

The tips are intended to help keep revelers safe at events throughout the Halloween season, said Sydney Seguino, Safety Town site director.

"You just kind of need to be smart about the houses you go up to, and make sure that the lights are on and that somebody's home," Seguino said. "We also tell parents that if candy's not individually wrapped, don't eat it."

Naperville's Safety Town is based on an idea partially inspired by Mayor George Pradel, who was known as Officer Friendly when he served on the Naperville police force, said Heather Queen, publicity chairwoman for the Naperville Junior Woman's Club.

"He would do a little Safety Town in a school gym," Queen said.

When a nationwide program began to pick up momentum, club members started staging temporary Safety Towns until 1996 when the permanent facility opened at the corner of River Road and Aurora Avenue.

The facility offers safety programs for school groups and Scouts throughout the year.

The trick-or-treating fee for children is $1; the event is free for adults. Adults are asked to donate one nonperishable food item for the Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry, Petty said.

About 2,000 trick-or-treaters are expected to attend this year's event, where a booty of about 50,000 pieces of candy awaits. The event will proceed whether conditions are clear or rainy, Petty said.

Ten area merchants contributed funds and supplies, Petty said, and about 100 people have volunteered to help, including members of several area Girl Scout troops.

If you go

What: Trick-or-Treat at Safety Town, sponsored by Naperville Junior Woman's Club and Naperville Police Department

When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

Where: Safety Town, Aurora Avenue and River Road, Naperville

Cost: $1 for children; adults are asked to donate a food item to Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry

Info: (630) 369-8400 or napervillejuniors.org/Safety.htm