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Naperville Park District's 2016 Fall events preview

The Naperville Park District offers a variety of October events for the community to enjoy in celebration of the fall season and Halloween.

Beginning Friday, Oct. 7, the Naperville Park District will host Summer Place Theatre's Ghost Stories in the Park...In the Dark at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion. Tickets are available at the door or through the Naperville Park District at www.napervilleparks.org . Shows run Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings Oct. 7-9. The Riverwalk Grand Pavilion is located along the Riverwalk just west of Centennial Beach. This event is appropriate for adults and children ages 5 and up.

Fall hayrides will take place at both Seager Park and Knoch Knolls Park each weekend in October. The outings include a ride through the woods, a campfire and hot chocolate.

New this year, Fort Hill Activity Center will host Spooktacular, a Halloween event for kids ages 4-12 on Friday, Oct. 28 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Parents can enjoy an evening out while children play at the Fort, Fort Hill Activity Center's indoor playground and childcare area. Jack O'Lantern grilled cheese sandwiches and Frankenstein grape snacks will be provided and kids' activities will include pumpkin decorating, Halloween Bingo, Spooky Maze Races, Mummy Wraps, a Monster Mash Dance Party and Boo Whoo Bowling.

Fall nature programs at the Knoch Knolls Nature Center include the following:

• Spinning Spiders - Sat., Sept. 24. Ages 6-8 will learn about the amazing abilities of spiders.

• Family Hike to the Confluence- Take an early morning hike to the confluence of the East and West Branches of the DuPage River at 8:00 a.m. on Oct. 1.

• Knee High Naturalists for kids ages 4-5. Each session features a different theme. Upcoming dates and themes include Oct. 8 - Pumpkin Time, Oct. 19 -Going Batty, and Nov. 3 - Scurrying Squirrels.

• Creepy Critters Day -Mon., Oct. 10 (Columbus Day holiday). A free, drop-in program for children (with an adult) between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. (No registration required.)

• Family Nature Nights - One Saturday evening each month at Knoch Knolls Nature Center. Topics include: Dusk Hike/nocturnal animals on Oct. 22 and Harvest Time/fall food in nature on Nov. 5.

Additionally, several science and technology and culinary programs will focus on Halloween themes: Cool Science: Halloween Potions, Elixirs & Magical Mixtures on Oct. 20, Halloween Goodies for Teens on Oct. 28, and Cool Science: Wizards' Cooking Class on Nov. 17.

Registration is required for all of the programs mentioned above, except for Creepy Critters Day. For details and to register online visit www.napervilleparks.org.

Free events include the Scare-illon concert from 7:00-8:00 p.m. on Oct. 29 at the Millennium Carillon, located at the base of Rotary Hill at 443 Aurora Ave. and Halloween Happening from 1:00-4:00 p.m. on Oct. 30 at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion.

The Scare-illon concert, scheduled from 7:00-8:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, will feature both classical and popular music with spooky and atmospheric themes played by Naperville City Carillonneur Tim Sleep. Special guests this year include Élan Dance Company dancers, who will perform special Halloween-themed dances. Élan Dance Company is a program of the Naperville Park District and is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

The 2016 Halloween Happening will take place at the Grand Pavilion at the Riverwalk from 1:00-4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 30. This free event is designed for children ages 10 and under with four themed areas, where they can collect treats, play games and win prizes. The four themed areas include Halloween Way, Fairytale Lane, King Arthur's Court, and Adventure Alley. Kids are welcome to wear their favorite costumes to the event.

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