Local Halloween Events
ANNUAL HISTORIC HALLOWEEN PERFORMANCE, 6:45 and 8 p.m. Oct. 21, McHenry County Historical Society Museum, 6422 Main St., Union. Through the power of Halloween magic, a Grand Army of the Republic gathering of 8th Illinois cavalrymen will be spotlighted. Refreshments. Admission charged to non-members, free for members. Information: 815-923-2267 or www.mchsonline.org.
CARY HALLOWEEN WALK, 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 24, starting on Jandus Road (near Kitchens by Julie), Cary. Trick-or-treating for costumed children accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parade led by Miss Cary Lizzie Loch. Sponsor: Cary Grove Chamber of Commerce. Information: 847-639-2800 or www.carygrovechamber.com.
CHILDREN’S PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST, noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 24, Barley House at Algonquin Commons, 1520 S. Randall Road, Algonquin. For children 12 and younger. Free pumpkins, craft items for decorating. Prizes. Information: 847-658-5520 or www.barley-house.com.
COFFIN RACES, 5 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31, Washington Street & Route 23, Marengo. Seasonal alternative to Harvard’s bed races with coffins on wheels with teams of four. Must be at least age 14. Race follows the 3 to 5 p.m. trick-or-treating on Main Street. Sponsor: Marengo Main Street. Registration and information: 815-568-8440 or www.marengomainstreet.org.
CRYSTAL LAKE PARK DISTRICT, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 19, Pumpkin Carve at Crystal Lake Main Beach (ages 4-9 with parent, $23 resident, $35 non-resident); 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 17, Truck or Treat at crystal Lake Main Beach (families with children, no registration); 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 25, Hound Town Halloween Bash at Lippold Park (all ages, no registration). Registration and information: 815-459-0680 or www.crystallakeparks.org.
FOX RIVER GROVE HALLOWEEN WALK, 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 24, Stone Hill Shopping Center, Routes 14 & 22. Trick-or-treating for costumed children accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parade led by Miss Fox River Grove Nina Mack. Sponsor: Cary Grove Chamber of Commerce. Information: 847-639-2800 or www.carygrovechamber.com.
HALLOWEEN ADVENTURE, 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 31, Alden Terrace of McHenry Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, 803 Royal Drive, McHenry. Spooky haunted house, trick-or-treating, games with prizes, refreshments and more. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free. Information: 815-344-2600.
HALLOWEEN BASH, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 30, The Fountains at Crystal Lake, 965 N. Brighton Circle West, Crystal Lake. For children age 12 and younger featuring safe indoor trick-or-treating, games and music by Dance Factory Disk Jockeys, balloon creations by Lollipop the Clown, haunted house, refreshments. Free. Information: 815-455-8400.
HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZA, 1 to 1:45 p.m. Oct. 24, Community Center, 255 Briargate Road, Cary. Dress up for games, crafts, treats and more for children ages 2-7 and their parents. Host: Cary Park District. Registration: $6 Cary Park District residents, $9 non-residents, free for adults. Registration and information: 847-639-6100 or www.carypark.com.
LEGION CLUB OF MARENGO HALLOWEEN PARTY, 1 p.m. to midnight Oct. 31, corner of Park Drive and Route 120, Marengo. Halloween games, costume contest, photo booth, food, refreshments, raffle, prizes. Schedule: 1 to 3 p.m. children’s party; 6 p.m. to midnight, party for adults. Host: American Legion Post 192 of Marengo. Information: 815-943-7826 or www.post192.com.
MARENGO PARK DISTRICT HALLOWEEN PARTY, 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 31, 825 Indian Oaks Trail, Marengo. Safe alternative to trick or treat for children to age 12. Best costume contest. Candy and prizes. Cost: $2 a person. Information: 815-568-5126.
McHENRY PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS, 809 N. Front St., McHenry. Schedule: 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 18, Halloween Face Painting (ages 4 and older); 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 23, After Hours Scary Stories (ages 7 and older); 10 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 28, Halloween Fun (ages 3-6 with parent, $1 per child). Registration and information: 815-385-0036 or www.mchenrylibrary.org.
SAFE TRICK OR TREAT, 2 to 3 p.m. Oct. 24, Eastgate Manor, 101 Eastgate Court, Algonquin. Residents will hand out candy for visiting children from the community. Information: 847-458-2800.
SAFE TRICK OR TREAT, third annual, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 31, Fox Point and Fox Pint Manor, 3300 Charles J. Miller Road, McHenry. Trick or treat the CRL Senior Living Community residents for families with children age 12 and younger. Information: 815-385-2185.
SAFE TRICK-OR-TREATING, sixth annual, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 25, Algonquin Commons, 1900 S. Randall Road, Algonquin. For children younger than 12, followed by a 1 to 2 p.m. costume contest (all ages). Rain or shine. Free. Information: 847-458-2700 or www.shopatalgonquincommons.com.
SCARY JUMP NIGHTS, second annual, Oct. 16-30, Pump it Up, 1095 Pingree Road, Crystal Lake. Bounce and enjoy fully-decorated playing areas for children ages 3-11. Schedule: 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 16-17; 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 23-24; and 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 30. Tickets: $9 per child online advance purchase, $10 at the door, free for parents. Information: 847-854-3737 or www.scaryjump.com.
SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN BAZAAR, noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 24, Animal House Shelter, 13005 Ernesti Road, Huntley. Raffles, contests for pets and their people and crafts. Free. Information: 847-961-5541 or www.animalhouseshelter.com.
TERROR ON THE RAILROAD, 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 16-17, 23-24, 30-31, Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, east of Union. Train of Chills. Ride an antique streetcar through Sinister Souls Cemetery. For ages 13 and older. Tickets: $12. Information: 815-219-1524 or www.terrorontherailroad.com.
THRILLER BALL, Oct. 28, Crystal’s Party Bar, 800 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake. Dance hits spun by DJ Adolfo and DJ Lucky. Costume contests at midnight. Prizes. Information: 815-356-6000 or www.crystalspartybar.com.
TRICK OR TREAT, 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 31, Sunrise Assisted Living, 751 E. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake. Information: 815-444-6600.
TRUNK OR TREAT, 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 25, Willow Creek McHenry County regional site for Willow Creek Community Church, 220 Exchange Drive, Crystal Lake. Costumed children of all ages invited to safely trick or treat from the trunks of dozens of decorated cars in controlled environment. Games, activities, live music, hot apple cider. Admission: A canned or non-perishable food item. Information: 224-512-1737.
ZOMBIELAND, Oct. 31, Crystal’s Party Bar, 800 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake. Costume contests at midnight. Prizes. Information: 815-356-6000 or www.crystalspartybar.com.
