Elgin knows how to throw a Halloween party

Downtown Elgin is the place to be this Saturday, Oct. 29, for people of any age who want to celebrate Halloween.

The Nightmare on Chicago Street will take place from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Storefront windows will be boarded up with cars flipped over as zombies take over.

“We are aiming for a surprise around every corner,” said Heather Williams, part-time special events coordinator for the city of Elgin.

Visitors can rock out to local bands like Kashmir and meet a Chicago legend, “Svengoolie,” along with actress Victoria Price, daughter of Vincent Price who was best known as “the king of horror.”

Williams said attendees can participate in a costume contest with Svengoolie when he arrives at 9 p.m.

There will also be different groups such as zombie rights activists fighting for the rights of zombies being people too. To conclude the night, Dancewerks Dance Production will put on a Burlesque Show and a performance of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

“The street groups will show attendees how to defend themselves upon the zombie attack,” Williams said.

If you get hungry, no worries. Drinks and snacks will be served in a military-like survival kit. A Nightmare on Chicago Street is for ages 17 and older.

For details, visit nightmareonchicagostreet.com. Admission is $5 in advance and $7 at the gate.

Other events for those 21 and older have been scheduled for Oct. 28 and 29 at local clubs and bars; visit downtownelgin.com for details.

For those too young — or old — to stay up late and party with the zombies, there are all-ages events earlier in the day Saturday.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin will present “Elgin’s Halloween Howl,” a family friendly afternoon of activities in downtown Elgin.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sherman Health’s Halloween Family Fun Fair will feature family friendly activities and a kids costume contest.

Little goblins can go trick-or-treating from noon to 4 p.m. at downtown Elgin businesses.

From 1 to 3 p.m., Elgin Public Museum will hold a “Bone Hunt,” a fun Halloween archeological dig on the grass in front of The Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way.

From 1 to 3 p.m., the Midwest Dance Collective will teach dance, under the direction of Ellen Werksman. She will be teaching kids the dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” on the Nightmare on Chicago Street stage at Chicago Street and Douglas Avenue.

From 1 to 4 p.m., get your kids’ photos taken in their Halloween finest at the Kids Costume Photo Booth at Ken Stepps’ State Farm, 111 Douglas Ave.

From 1 to 4 p.m., the Psychosis Haunted House, 200 N. Spring St., will have a matinee “kid friendly” haunted house.

Halloween crafts and musical activities from 2 to 3 p.m. in the basement of The Hemmens, presented by Elgin Area School District U-46.

At 3:30 p.m., Elgin Symphony Orchestra’s “Spooktacular Concert” takes place at The Hemmens. Tickets are $15, $10 for kids and available in person at the box office on the day of the concert or in advance at ElginSymphony.org

For a complete list of participating businesses in the Howl’s Trick-or-Treating and a comprehensive schedule of Halloween weekend events in downtown Elgin, visit downtownelgin.com.