Lombard celebrates fall with festival

Lombard residents will celebrate the arrival of autumn during the village's annual Fall Festival Saturday, Oct. 18.

The daylong event, sponsored by the Lombard Park District, features rides, games, prizes and a haunted walk at Lombard Common at Grace Street and St. Charles Road.

"We combine three special events into one day," program manager Mose Rickey said. "People can come out and have a great time."

Families can enjoy the free Pumpkin Patch from 2 to 5 p.m. featuring kiddie carnival games, pony rides, a moon bounce, hayrides, entertainment and a candy hunt. A balloon artist and a magician will be out and about to entertain.

"The hayrides are always a lot of fun ... always jam-packed," said Kathleen McManis, marketing and communications manager for the park district.

Later, try your luck at Boo Bingo, which will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. The cost is $5 for Lombard Park District residents and $8 for nonresidents.

Winners may take home some scary, spooky, cool or silly prizes or, possibly, some of each. A grand prize will be given out for the blackout card round.

"Everybody's going to win something," Rickey said.

Brave souls are invited to stay until dark and take a walk on the Haunted Hike to see the witch's circle, the haunted cemetery, the monster cave, the vampire tree and the creature campsite. With the water park razed and a dozen extra spooky characters volunteering from the Lombard Westin hotel, the hike will have a new look this year, Rickey said.

"It's going to be fantastic," Rickey promised.

The spooky trail, which costs $5 per hiker, is open from 7 to 9 p.m.

Participants can register and pay online or on-site for Boo Bingo and the Haunted Hike. Registration is not required and there is no fee for the Pumpkin Patch.

For more information, call (630) 620-7322 or visit lombardparks.com.

Fall Festival

When: 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18

Where: Lombard Common, Grace Street and St. Charles Road, in Lombard

Details: lombardparks.com