Halloween Fun in the Fox Valley

By Barbara J. Millburger

bmillburger@dailyherald.com

Halloween conjures up memories of days gone by and anticipation of those to come.

Little ones can hardly wait to don the costumes transforming themselves into super heroes or princesses and moms, dads, grandmas and grandpas worry … about whether the costumes allow the kids to see one foot in front of the other … whether the kids will wait until they get home before tasting the treats … and whether there are enough treats on hand in the house for the marauding ghosts and goblins advancing on their doorstep.

The canines and felines in your household also can celebrate the holiday. What do they know from Halloween? Nothing, except will they let you put silly decorations on their bodies, take them to a pet adventure and then give them treats. We’re not so different, after all.

There are spooky, entertaining and informative adventures for everyone. The whole family can join in the festivities throughout the Fox Valley this Halloween season.

Algonquin

Bring the entire family and join in the eighth annual Halloween Extravaganza at Algonquin Commons. The event starts at 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, with the AC Prize Wheel and Kids Activities. The costume contest will return this year, kicking off at 11:30 a.m. Enjoy a free trick or treat bag, while supplies last, and mallwide trick or treating starting at 12:30 p.m. shopatalgonquincommons.com.

Aurora

Ÿ Scarecrows on Display will take place at Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15 and 16. Admission: $4. (630) 892-1550 or foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.

Ÿ A Trick-or-Treat Walk will take place 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 and 29, at Blackberry Farm. Costume contest at 10:30 a.m. Cost: $5 residents, $7 nonresidents. (630) 892-1550 or foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.

Batavia

Ÿ Batfest, Batavia Riverwalk, Houston Street and Island Avenue, Batavia: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. 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. downtownbatavia.com.

Cary, Fox River Grove

Cary and Fox River Grove Halloween Walks are set for Saturday, Oct. 29. Bring the kids for the free parade and candy.

The Cary Walk, led by Miss Cary Erin Alleva, will begin at 11 a.m. on Jandus Road. The children will walk down West Main Street collecting treats The Cary Halloween Walk ends at noon.

The Fox River Grove Halloween Walk, led by Miss Fox River Grove Leslie Michaelchuck, will be held in the Stone Hill Shopping Center beginning at Leader Ace Hardware at 1 p.m. The walk will end by Panera Bread.

Children must be accompanied by a parent. (847) 639-2800.

Crystal Lake

Ÿ Truck-or-Treat for all ages will take place 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 15, at Crystal Lake Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake. Kids, come dressed in your Halloween costume and see the inside of some great big trucks. There will be trucks of all shapes and sizes. Children are invited to climb in the trucks and see how they work and even honk the horns. Bring a Halloween container, as there will be candy and goodies inside each truck, and don’t forget your camera. Free; no registration. (815) 459-0680, Ext. 213.

Ÿ Bring your favorite pooch to the Hound Town Halloween Bash for an afternoon of fun and doggy trick-or-treating. Pet owners can bring treats to share with all our furry ghosts and goblins. You do not need to be a member of Hound Town to participate in this special event. At Hound Town at Lippold Park, Route 176, Crystal Lake, from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23. Free.

Ÿ A Halloween Doggy Bone Hunt and Costume Contest will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at 140 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake. All dogs must be leashed and have proof of vaccines. The event will feature goody bags, raffles and prizes. Cost is $5 per dog.

To register, call Charlie’s Doghouse at (815) 450-9950 or Assisi at (815) 455-9411.

Ÿ Immanuel Lutheran Church and School, 300 S. Pathway, Crystal Lake, will hold its third annual “Trunk or Treat” from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28.

The event is free. There will be snacks and beverages available for a small charge inside the school. Other activities to participate in inside the school include: haunted hallway, games, crafts, Halloween videos, face painting and more.

There will be a $1 per family charge for the inside activities, or a donation of two canned goods for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry. (815) 459-1444.

Elgin

Ÿ Bring the family to Halloween Happenings, set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 29. Fun Fair games, costume contest for children 12 and younger, book sale and more. At Heritage Ballroom at The Centre, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin. Free. (847) 531-7056.

Ÿ Nightmare on Chicago Street is set for 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 29. Come downtown for an evening of fun on Elgin’s haunted street, Chicago Street, from Douglas to Villa. Live music, theater performances. For those 21 and older. $5. (847) 531-7056.

Geneva

Ÿ Geneva Ghost Walks will take place on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 2, 4, 6, and 8 p.m. All tours will begin at the Geneva History Center, 113 South Third Street and will take about an hour.

New stories and old legends will bring the darker corners of Geneva to light.

Wear comfortable walking shoes. The tours will go rain or shine. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for GHC members and students. (630) 232-4951. genevahistorycenter.org.

Ÿ The Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade will be held from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, in Geneva. Families can bring their dog and come dressed in their favorite costume for a fun-filled parade around the courtyard. The parade will begin promptly at 4 p.m. and will being lining up at 3:45 p.m. Preregistration is recommended but not required. Free. genevaparks.org.

Ÿ Following the Dog Parade will be the Halloween Hayday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 29. Children age 10 and younger will have a blast with pumpkin painting, bounce houses, live bats, hayrides and a costume contest on the farm. This event is free for adults. Preregistration is $5 and the day of fee is $7. genevaparks.org.

Ÿ New this year, Haunted Hikes at Peck Farm Park will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28 and 29. Prepare to be scared as you travel down the haunted trail witnessing a variety of haunted scenes and see Peck Farm Park transformed into a field of terror. There will be a campfire and refreshments after the hike. Antonio’s Pizza will be available for purchase. Preregistration is recommended and will be $8. This event is not recommended for children 10 and younger. Peck Farm Park is at 4038 Kaneville Road, Geneva. (630) 232-4542 or genevaparks.org.

Lake in the Hills

Haunt 31 is an animated, haunted display at a residence at 340 S. Annandale Drive, Lake in the Hills. Hours are dusk through 9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and dusk to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, weather permitting, through Oct. 31. The display is free but donations are appreciated. haunt31.com.

South Elgin

Ÿ The Haunted Trolley, at the Fox River Trolley Museum, 361 S. La Fox St., South Elgin will roll on Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 22-29. A spooky, spectacular ride on a “haunted” trolley along the Fox River. Advance reservations required. (847) 697-4676 or foxtrolley.org.

Ÿ Hop aboard the Pumpkin Trolley, Fox River Trolley Museum, 361 S. La Fox St., South Elgin from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15-16. Ride an old-time electric trolley car to the pumpkin patch and choose a pumpkin to take home. Pumpkins $2 each, plus regular fares. $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, 65 and older, $2 for children 3-11; 3 and younger ride free. (847) 697-4676 or foxtrolley.org.

Ÿ Join Community United Methodist Church, 400 W. Spring St., South Elgin, for a “Trunk-Or-Treat” community event on Sunday, Oct. 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. It will be held rain or shine.

Families and children can “Trunk-or-Treat” for candy and enjoy hot dogs and other refreshments. Children can play a bowling game, Bozo bucket game, fishing game, pumpkin holey board toss, pumpkin walk and other exciting activities. Free. (847) 931-0563 or cumcsouthelgin@sbcglobal.net.

St. Charles

Kane County Scaregrounds is a 4,000-square-foot, 3-D haunted house at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. It is open weekends through Oct. 30. Hours are 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 7 to 10 p.m. Sundays. Closed Oct. 22. Recommended for ages 13 and older, but younger children will be admitted with an adult. Tickets are $13, or $15 for a fast pass. It is a fundraiser for the Steel Beam Theatre. kcscaregrounds.com.

Union

It has been said that “truth is stranger than fiction.” Visitors to the McHenry County Historical Society will learn just how strange the truth can be by coming to the society’s annual historic Halloween program from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the society’s museum, 6422 Main St., Union.

Four of this county’s tragically deceased will reappear to relate the details of their demise. The true stories begin in 1860 and end in 1967 and involve incidents from body snatching and being “taken for a ride” to a forgotten punishment and dismemberment.

At 7:30 p.m. the stranger-than-fiction stories begin in the museum’s Eckert Hall auditorium. Doors to the museum and West Harmony one room school open at 7 p.m. Weather permitting, there will be a marshmallow roast and bonfire on the museum grounds.

Admission to “Return of the Dead” is $5, $3 for senior and students. This program is not suitable for young children. Members of the historical society are admitted free. Eckert Hall will seat 120. Call (815) 923-2267 or email info@mchsonline.org.