Things to Do This Weekend: Oct. 28-30

With Halloween just a few days away it’s no surprise that this weekend is chock full of spooky, tasty and costumed events. Here’s a lineup of several outings you won’t want to miss!

DEERFIELD: Halloween Hoopla  is back for another year of inflatable games, face painting and more! Halloween Hoopla returns to Jewett Park Community Center, on Friday, October 28, and Saturday, October 29, with new activities and entertainers, inflatables, rides and great give-aways. For those who have attended the Hoopla for years, note the new schedule of events that will replace the Haunted House.

Friday, October 28, 7 – 9 p.m.

• DJ
• Bonfire in the Park
• Movie in the Park
• Pumpkin Patch
• Zombie Apocalypse Trail

Saturday, October 29, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

• Costumed Characters
• Games (Indoors & Out)
• Inflatable/ Other “Rides” in the Park
• Balloon Twisters
• Hayride
• Craft Room
• Face Painting
• Variety Entertainment
• Food on Sale

The event will take place at Jewett Park Community Center, 836 Jewett Park Drive in Deerfield. Come out and have some Halloween fun!

WINNETKA:  101st Annual Haunted House A tradition in Winnetka since 1915! This year is the 101st anniversary of our Haunted House. Mount your broomsticks and fly on over for Halloween thrills at this popular Community House tradition.

Not So Scary Haunted House
Hey kids, wonder what the haunted house is all about but not sure you want to visit because it might be too scary? Join us for an event like no other. Enjoy the twists, turns and excitement with the lights on, music down and no ghouls jumping out at you. October 28 from 10 a.m.  to 2 p.m.; $5 per person for a single visit (accompanying adults are free).

Traditional Haunted House
Visit our “traditional” haunted house with your family and friends and be prepared to get scared. Follow the twists and turns of our classic maze, if you dare! All ages are welcome to get frightened. October 28 from 7 to 9 p.m.; $8 per person for a single visit.

NORTHBROOK: Halloween Horror Fest Movie Double Feature: The Shining/A Nightmare on Elm Street Join the Northbrook Public library for a screening and discussion of two iconic horror films just in time for Halloween:
The Shining
Start Time: 3:30 p.m.
1980
Rated R
146 minutes

A Nightmare on Elm Street
Starting Time: 7 p.m.
1984
Rated R
101 minutes

The screenings will take place on Friday, October 28 at the Northbrook Public Library, 1201 Cedar Lane in Northbrook. These two movies are certain to get you in the Halloween spirit or even SCARE you a bit!

LAKE BLUFF: The Lake Bluff PTO Pumpkin Chase This 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run is on October 29, The 5K starts at 8:00 a.m. and the Fun Run starts at 9:15 a.m. Our 5K course is a certified course (USATF & CARA) that travels along the beautiful tree- lined streets of east Lake Bluff down to the bluff overlooking the shores of Lake Michigan. Don’t forget to bring the kids as the 1 Mile Fun Run begins shortly after the 5K and is a family favorite with K-8th grade bragging rights on the line. Stick around for the Post Race Pumpkin Fest at the Lake Bluff Middle School adjacent to the start/finish line. To register for the race, click here.

GLENCOE: Trains, Tricks & Treats Families are invited to come to the Chicago Botanic Garden in costume and trick-or-treat throughout the Model Railroad Garden to celebrate Halloween and the end of the railroad’s season at Trains, Tricks & Treats on Saturday, October 29, and Sunday, October 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Model Railroad Garden will be decorated with spider webs, spiders, ghosts, goblins, and pumpkins, as well as seasonal plant materials. Visitors will see figurines of trick-or-treaters on Main Street, bats and crawly creatures, a graveyard, and more, all tucked among miniature scenes of America’s best-loved landmarks and beautiful gardens planted to scale.

An array of small treats and treasures can be picked up throughout the Model Railroad Garden. Children will have the opportunity to pot up a Halloween plant.

CHCAGO: Chicago Philharmonic Presents Haunted Hearts Hearts haunted by bittersweet past loves, torrid affairs, nightmarish scenes, or just the bug that got away. Join the Chicago Philharmonic at the Harris Theater for an electric afternoon of music guaranteed to make your heart race, including Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, Nyman’s Concerto for Amplified Harpsichord, Piazzolla’s Oblivion, and music from Psycho.  The concert will take place on Sunday, October 30, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, located at 205 E Randolph Street in Chicago.

SKOKIE: Anne & Mark Burnell and Special Guests Present: The Brill Building and Unforgettable Night of Music on Friday, October 28 at 7:30 p.m. In the 1960s Music producer Don Kirshner put the best and the brightest songwriters in the Brill Building, almost all duos: Lieber and Stoller, Goffin and King, Mann and Weil, Bacharach and David, Sedaka and Greenfield. A hotbed of creativity in songwriting like never before with hits – “Up on the Roof,” “Save the Last Dance for Me,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” “The Look of Love,” “One Fine Day,” “Make Your Own Kind of Music,” and “Laughter in the Rain”

The event will take place at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Avenue, Skokie. Tickets are $25 each.  Call 847-677-7761 or visit SkokieTheatre.org

HIGHLAND PARK: Sadie McGrady Runs for President Popular children’s book author of Sadie McGrady Runs for President is making a campaign stop in Highland Park at Beanstalk Toyland & Bookstore (654 Central Avenue) at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 29. Empowering today’s girls to become tomorrow’s leaders, Mary Parry will be reading and signing copies of her election picture book and encouraging young girls to explore becoming candidates and leaders.

Kids will also hear City of Highland Park Councilman Alyssa Knobel discuss the importance for girls to get involved in our community, and will have the opportunity to put democracy into action as they taste and vote for their favorite treats. Rumor also has it Peyton the guinea pig, another popular character featured in the book, may make a surprise appearance as well.

“Sadie McGrady motivates the next generation of strong, fierce, intelligent voters and advocates to step up and run for office,” says Knobel. “By educating young girls about the importance of democratic process and the skills needed to lead, we give them a running start to achieve future goals. We are so fortunate to have author Mary Parry joining us just before this historic election.“

Sadie McGrady Runs for President is about a young girl who imagines her own campaign for President of the United States. Sadie shows readers the fun side of campaign life, making buttons and yard signs and marching in parades, and she also overcomes challenges along the way, like facing her opponent in a debate and being interviewed by the media. The book celebrates leadership traits like courage and confidence, perseverance and teamwork. By her example, Sadie encourages readers to become strong and effective leaders.

For more information about this family-friendly event for preschool and elementary school children, visit Beanstalk Toyland & Bookstore on Facebook.

LAKE FOREST: Elawa Farm’s 2nd Anuual Spooktakular It’s a not-so-scary family event including the following activities:
pony rides, a petting zoo, live music by Lindsey Smithwick, a fortune teller, cookie decorating, a costume contest, games and prizes! The event will take place on Saturday, October, 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is $20 for children ages 1-12 and $10 for adults. For more information or to register, please visit Elawa Farm.

EVANSTON: Trick or Treat Trot for Tails Walk Trick or Treat Trot for Tails Walkathon is a fundraiser for the Evanston Animal Shelter Association, the nonprofit organization that funds and manages the care of the animals at the Evanston Animal Shelter. Registrants sign up to walk, create a goal to raise money, and get friends and family to donate!

The walk is 2 miles long. Walkers will start at Centennial Park, walk to Lee Street, and walk back to Centennial Park. The event is on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at 10 a.m. Centennial Park is located on Sheridan Road between Clark Street and Church Street in Evanston.

The walk is dog- and family friendly, so bring your whole crew and we’ll see you there! Dress up in costume and we’ll have treats along the way – for you and your pup!

WILMETTE/KENILWORTH: Linden Square Pumpkin Walk  On Saturday, October 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. join the villages of Wilmette and Kenilworth for some Halloween family fun! There will be a FREE petting zoo, trick-or-treating, face painting, a magician, balloon animals, and dance performances hosted by the businesses in Linden Square. The events will take place at the intersection of 4th and Linden in Wilmette.

Have a great weekend, everyone!