So your kids aren’t out soaping up windows or smashing pumpkins on Halloween night, here is a listing of fun, wholesome Halloween events happening around our neighborhoods. We’ve included some events for adults, too. Unless otherwise noted, all events take place Saturday, Oct. 31.
Rogers Park/West Ridge
High Ridge YMCA (2424 W. Touhy) is sponsoring a whole slew of events for the 12 and under set, starting with carnval games, picture frame crafts, costume contest, candy, a hot dog stand and more, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Cost is $5 for YMCA families; $8 for non-members, for up to five children. Also, check out the High Ridge Y’s scary haunted house (not recommended for small children). Ghosts are in the house from 8 to 11 p.m. Oct. 30; and from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Oct. 31. Cost is $3 per person for YMCA-members; $6 for non-members.
Blockbuster Video (7300 N. Western) is offering FREE trick or treat bags to kids imprinted with the attractive, scary Blockbuster logo. See the haunted windows at Century 21 Universal and enter the M&M counting contest. Merchants in the plaza will be handing out treats, and maybe some rocks from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Children should be accompanied by an adult.
CAPS Beat 2424 is organizing Halloween patrols for Rogers Park to cut down on the traditional egg throwing by out of control teenagers that happens every Halloween, in conjunction with Evanston. Bright vests and walkie-talkies linked to the Evanston Police Department and monitored by Chicago police will be handed out to volunteers. This is primarily for the nothern half of Rogers Park. Patrols run from 7 to 11 p.m. Free. To volunteer or more info, contact Bernard Garbo by e-mail at bgarbo@ameritech.net.
Loyola University’s (6525 N. Sheridan Rd.) student programming board will partner with dozens of student organizations and TheNeighborhoodFirst.org to provide a safe place for elementary school students to trick or treat. From 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., families can bring their children to Dumbach Hall, an academic building on Loyola’s Lake Shore Campus that will be decorated in Halloween style, to trick or treat through the spooky hallways. Loyola students will dole out treats as you go from door to door, just like you would in your neighborhood. The event is free, but children must be accompanied by an adult. If you’re taking the el, get off at the Loyola CTA Redline station.
Lincoln Square/North Center
Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest & Parade For Dogs (Ravenswood and Carmen), sponsored by the Andersonville South Neighbors Association. Registration begins at 12:30 PM $5 entry fee.
Lincoln Square Ghoulish Fun (between Lawrence and Montrose) is planning trick-or-treating and other ghoulish fun at participating Lincoln Square merchants. Noon. Free.
North Center Chamber of Commerce (4100 N. Damen) is hosting trick-or-treating and a costume contest in the town square starting at 11 AM. Free.
Uptown
Buena Park Neighbors hosts its 11th annual Pumpkin Fest featuring safe, monitored trick-or-treating, scary actors from the National Pasttime Theatre and treats for the kids. Homes will be decorated for Halloween and all children from the neighborhood are invited to trick-or-treat, but no tricks please. Children should be accompanied by an adult or a reasonable facsimile. The Halloweed fun starts in the Buena Circle Playlot at Kenmore and Buena. Friendly volunteers from the BPN block club will direct little goblins to participating residences. Trick-or-treating takes place on Kenmore Avenue between Irving Park Road (4000) and Montrose Avenue (4400), including the 1000 block of West Buena. Over 400 children attended this great neighborhood event last year. Free. 5 to 7 PM
The Wild Pug’s (4810 N. Broadway) will host a Pug-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest benefitting PAWS Chicago. 3 to 6 PM; contest is at 4:30 PM. $10 for a ballot to vote, proceeds to PAWS. $9 Bud Light Pitchers.
The Ripper Halloween Party at the Wild Pug (4810 N. Broadway) is hosting a good old fashioned English pub costume contest starting at midnight. Fabulous prizes. Great drink specials throughout the night.
Crew Bar and Grill (4804 N. Broadway) is featuring a Tim Burton-style “Nightmare Before Halloween” party and costume contest throughout the night. Costume Contest judging starts at 11:30 PM featuing fabulous prizes.
Chicago Park District Halloween Community Parties for Friday, Oct. 30 and Sat. Oct. 31, at the times noted below:
Greenbriar Park (2650 W. Peterson), 4 to 6 PM. Oct. 30. Free.
Rogers Park (7345 N. Washtenaw), 4:15 p.m. Oct. 30 $1 per person.
Lincoln Park Cultural Center (2045 N. Lincoln) featuring “The Ghost And Mr. Chicken,” 5 p.m. Oct. 30. $3 per person.
Peterson Park (5801 N. Pulaski) features its annual outdoor “Trails of Terror,” 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30-31, $8 12 and under; $10 over 13.
Indian Boundary Park (2500 W. Lunt) annual Halloween Bash, 1 PM Oct. 31. Free.
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