WICKER PARK — Looking for family-friendly Halloween fun? Wicker Park's annual Boo-Palooza in the neighborhood's namesake park and trick-or-treating at local shops are on tap for later this month, along with activities along the Bloomingdale Trail.
Set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, the seventh annual Boo-Palooza will include a costume parade and four costume contest divisions (children, adults, families and dogs), a pumpkin patch with pumpkin decorating, a corn maze, apple bobbing, "ghost Bingo," performances, activities and more.
In previous years, Boo-Palooza, which charges no admission fee and is organized by the Wicker Park Advisory Council, with support from nearly 70 local groups, volunteers and sponsors, has drawn several thousands of costumed revelers to the park at 1425 N. Damen Ave.
Before, during and after Boo-Palooza, some local businesses will be welcoming trick-or-treaters, too. Check out the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce's list of participating shops.
Boo-Palooza's costume parade around the fountain for children, families and adults is scheduled for 11 a.m. Oct. 24. Prizes from local shops will be awarded for the best three costumes in each category.
Boo-Palooza's dog costume parade is scheduled for noon. Prizes will be awarded to the best three dog costumes.
Looking for inspiration for your costume? Check out DNAinfo Chicago's Boo-Palooza coverage last year, 2013 and 2012.
On Oct. 31, the neighborhood celebration continues from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. along The 606's Bloomingdale Trail.
Suggested ground-level parks to trick-or treat at, from east to west, include Walsh Park, 1722 N. Ashland Ave.; Churchill Field Park, 1825 N. Damen Ave.; Park 567 at 1805 N. Milwaukee Ave.; California Avenue Park at California and Bloomingdale; Julia de Burgos Park, 1805 N. Albany Ave.; Spaulding and Kimball Park and the Ridgeway observatory, just south of the McCormick Tribune YMCA at 1834 N. Lawndale Ave. in Humboldt Park.
Other activities will include bike and pumpkin decorating at Julia de Burgos Park. There will be a costume contest at 5 p.m. at Churchill Park followed by a screening of "Beetlejuice" at 5:45 p.m. The Shakespeare Police District is sponsoring the '606' events with the Chicago Park District, The Trust for Public Land and Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail.
Come On Up and join us on the 606 for a fun filled Halloween celebration! October 31, 3:00-5:00 PM. pic.twitter.com/N2IpwfRvd5
— Chicago PD 14th Dist (@ChicagoCAPS14) October 8, 2015For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
