WICKER PARK — Though rain kept early revelers away from Boo-Palooza in Wicker Park's namesake park, the sun was shining for the second half of the free Halloween celebration which attracted hundreds of people and families on Saturday.
"There were people that got rained on and then we all dried up and tons of people came. It went really well and all of the pumpkins were given away," said Doug Wood, president of the Wicker Park Advisory Council, which worked with over 70 local groups to organize the event at 1425 N. Damen Ave.
Volunteers try to minimize a giant puddle in the park. [All photos by DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]
The four-hour celebration included costume parades, where children, families and dogs showed off their unique costumes as volunteer judges passed put batons to those sporting exceptionally creative get-ups.
The Conley family, who moved to Oak Park a few months ago, received a baton for their costume.
"We lived here for five years and had to come back for Boo-Palooza," said Laurie Conley.
Expecting a child, Conley dressed as a bun in the oven. Her husband, Ben Conley, played the part of a baker and their two-year-old daughter, Alice, was a muffin.
The Conley family at Boo-Palooza [All photos by DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]
Other unique family costumes included a "Candy Family," as well as a group of astronauts with a rocket ship and the "Up" house from the Pixar movie along with a hot air balloon.
A family dressed as jelly beans, a gumball machine, a Tootsie Roll and a candy man.
Still looking for inspiration to create your Halloween costume? Check out our photo slideshow from Boo-Palooza.
(l.) Mary Tamminga, longtime Wicker Park resident and Shakespeare District CAPS Officer Gretchen Chavez at Boo-Palooza.
Scenes from the Boo-Palooza dog parade.
