A look at Fox Valley Halloween happenings

It's the middle of October, and that can only mean one thing.

A variety of Halloween-themed events have been scheduled throughout the Fox Valley.

Don your costume, grab your flashlight, and head out for a good scare, or just a fun time.

Aurora

Pumpkin Weekends: At Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora. Visit the pumpkin patch, carousel and hayrides from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 31. $4. Visit foxvalleyparkdistrict.org for a schedule of each weekend's special activities. (630) 892-1550Halloween family night: Visit the Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora, for ghoulish activities, including a costume parade and contest, goody bags for all children ages 12 and younger, spooky science, creepy crafts and wacky games from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 29. $3 per person. (630) 859-8606 or foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.Batavia#8220;Legend of Sleepy Hollow: The chilling tale by Washington Irving will come to life at the Batavia Government Center, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia. Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Oct. 15 and 22; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 16 and 23. Presented by the Albright Theatre Company. Advance reservations suggested. $13-$10. Albrighttheatre.com.#8220;The Haunting: A thrilling night of supernatural theater is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23 at Batavia Academy of Dance, 8-1/2 E. Wilson, Batavia. $5. Must register. Not recommended for small children. downtownbatavia.com or (630) 761-3528.BatFest: BatFest is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23 at the Batavia Riverwalk, Houston Street and Island Avenue. Free hayrides with a suggested food or cash donation to benefit the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry. Free Halloween games, costume contest, parade, downtown trick-or-treating and activity stations for children. Pumpkin Roll from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. $1 per roll; registration at Batavia Depot Museum, (630) 482-9157. BatFest Stories and Songs will be held at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave., from 1:15 to 1:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. (630) 879-1393 or batavia.lib.il.us.Dundee TownshipKids' party: Hallow-Palooza is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29 at the Dundee Township Park District, 665 Barrington Ave., Carpentersville. For ages 2 to 11, it features activities such as a spooky walk for younger children, games, inflatables, entertainment, crafts, spooky storytime, and costume contest. Registration is required; $3 with a canned good item, $4 without a canned good item if registered by Wednesday, Oct. 27. $5 with canned good item; $6 without a canned good item if registered after Wednesday, Oct. 27. Concessions and face painting available at an additional cost. (847) 428-7131 or dtpd.org.ElginIt's evil: Evil Intentions, a 20,000-foot haunted house in the old Elgin Casket Co. building, will take place on select days through Oct. 31 at 900 Grace St., Elgin. $15. Not recommended for children. See www.evilscarecrew.com for detailsPsychosis Haunted House: At 200 N. Spring St., Elgin, it claims to be Illinois' #8220;most interactive haunted house. Open Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight; Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m. through Oct. 31. Matinee from 1 to 4 Sunday, Oct. 31. $14; $5 go-again price, same night only. 13 years and older. or psychosishauntedhouse.net.Haunted hike: The 20th annual Trail of Terror takes place at Camp Big Timber, 37W955 Big Timber Road, Elgin from 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays, Oct. 22 and 29; and 6:30 to 11 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 23 and 30. Kiddie Hike from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 23 and 30. $12; $7 for Scouts in uniform; $6 for Kiddie Hike. Groups call for reservation at (630) 584-9250, ext. 69. www.tfchauntedhike.org. (630) 584-9250, ext. 211.GenevaMeet Travis Thrasher: The Geneva Library Foundation presents #8220;Haunted Geneva A Night with Travis Thrasher at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16 at the library. The featured novel #8220;Ghostwriter, by local author Travis Thrasher, is set in Geneva. There will be a reading by the author, book signing and a reception including hors d'oeuvres, wine and other beverages.Reservations, $25 each, must be prepaid; visit www.genevalibraryfoundation.org for details. All proceeds will benefit the Geneva Library Foundation.Geneva Ghost Walk: Geneva Ghost Walks will take place, rain or shine, at 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. All tours will begin at the Geneva History Center, 113 South Third St., and will take just over an hour. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for GHC members and students. Call (630) 232-4951.Gilberts#8220;Terror Trail: A haunted hike, set for 7 to 11 p.m. weekends, Friday, Oct. 15 to Sunday, Oct. 31; will take place at Fraternal Order of Eagles-Aerie 1047, 325 Raymond St., Gilberts. $8. (847) 695-7919.Lake in the HillsHaunt 31: Haunt 31 is a residential haunted house at 340 S. Annandale Drive, Lake in the Hills. Open 5 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5 to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday Oct. 15-31. Weather permitting. or haunt31.com.Sleepy HollowHalloween in the Hollow: Events will begin at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23 at Sabatino Park, Winmoor Drive and Willow Lane, Sleepy Hollow. The Sleepy Hollow Service Club's costume parade is for different age groups, complete with prizes. Bring your chili and pie for contests with prizes at 3:30 p.m. for judging. Chili, pie, hot dogs, chili dogs, cider, cotton candy and hot chocolate available at 4:30 p.m. Pumpkin decorating and hayrides from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Bonfire at dusk with a visit from the Headless Horseman. Free. Rain date Oct. 30. (847) 426-6700 or sleepy-hollow.il.us.South ElginHaunted trolleys: At the Fox River Trolley Museum, The Haunted Trolley will roll from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Oct. 23 and Sunday, Oct. 24. A spooky, spectacular ride on a #8220;haunted trolley along the Fox River; children in costume get a treat. $3.50-$2; under 3 ride free. Take a ride on #8220;The Halloween Hiawatha, the Ghost Story Train, at 4:30, 5:45 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 16-23 and Sundays, Oct. 17-24. A #8220;haunted trolley ride along the Fox River to a campfire along the shore of the Fox complete with ghost stories, hot chocolate and s'mores. Make reservations at foxtrolley.org/reservations.html. Tickets not sold day of event; Fare TBA. Or, skip the scares and ride the Pumpkin Trolley special trolleys operating from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 16-17. Ride an old-time electric trolley car to the pumpkin patch and choose a pumpkin to take home. Pumpkins $2 each, plus regular fares. $3.50 adults, $2 children 3-11 and seniors, under 3 ride free. (847) 697-4676 or foxtrolley.org.Trunk-or-treat: Community United Methodist Church, 400 W. Spring St. in South Elgin, will hold #8220;Trunk-or-Treat from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, rain or shine. Families and children can #8220;Trunk-or-Treat for candy, sip warm apple cider, eat hot dogs and shop for baked goods. There will be games for kids. Proceeds from the bake sale will benefit UNICEF. Call (847) 931-0563 or e-mail cumcsouthelgin@sbcglobal.net.St. CharlesSpooky homes: The Gallery of Ghoulish Homes Tour is sponsored by the St. Charles Park District, 101 S. Second St., St. Charles. Homes are best viewed from dusk until 10 p.m. beginning Friday, Oct. 15 through 9 p.m. Halloween night, Sunday, Oct. 31. Some displays may not be appropriate for all ages. Pick up complete list of decorated homes at the park district office or visit stcparks.org. (630) 584-1055. Haunted house: Visit the St. Charles Jaycees Haunted House at Aquascape, 901 Aqualand Way, St. Charles. Admission is $10 with $1 off for a canned good donation. Hours are 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 7 to 10 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 31. Kiddie matinee from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 31. (630) 202-6026 or stcharlesjaycees@gmail.com.UnionTerrifying train: Head to the Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, Union, for the Terror on the Railroad Haunted Event, set for 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, through Oct. 30. Visitors must be at least age 13 and in good health. $12. (800) 244-7245 or irm.org.West DundeeSpooktacular Organ Recital: Presented by Divas Galore, six talented organists who will each perform a piece reflecting the scary sounds of Halloween as well as the beautiful sounds of the organ through contemporary and classical music. The performance is set for 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31 at St. James Episcopal Church, 516 Washington St., West Dundee: $10. (847) 426-5612. 26401876Brennan Sproule, 3, of Carpentersville shows off a pumpkin he decorated during Halloween in the Hollow in Sleepy Hollow.Daily Herald file 32162136A huge bonfire glows in the background as the Headless Horseman, played by Sandy Blalek of Huntley, riding “Slick, parades in front the crowd at Sleepy Hollow's annual Halloween in the Hollow event.John Starks, 2006 27641432Brothers Matt, 6, left and Zach Marsico, 4, of Wheaton hop off the train to pick pumpkins during the Fox River Trolley Museum's pumpkin trolley ride in South Elgin.Rick West, 2008