BUCKTOWN — Happy almost Halloween!
Since Halloween falls on a Tuesday, most local events will be taking place this weekend, although there will be neighborhood wide trick-or-treating at more than 90 Wicker Park, Bucktown and West Town businesses from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
Parade Around Bucktown. The Bucktown Community Organization's Halloween costume parade starts at Erhler Park with refreshments and snacks and moves to Holstein Park — with kids and families in costumes walking down Oakley Boulevard (and following a fire truck). The parade will end in the Holstein Park playground with a community social and live music by kids' rock band Crew. In the event of inclement weather, the festivities will move to the second floor of the park field house. Free, from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Sunday, at 2230 W. Cortland St. (Erhler Park) and 2200 N. Oakley Ave. (Holstein Park).
Spooky Skate Party. Bring your roller skates, roller blades or skate boards to Smith Park for a Halloween Spooky Skating Party and dance. A costume contest with prizes for three age groups and a concession stand will be available. Call Smith Park at 312-742-7534 with any questions on the party, which is sponsored by the Smith Park Advisory Council. Free, from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, 2526 W. Grand Ave.
Halloween festival. The Pulaski Park festival offers a haunted house, hay rides, a pumpkin patch, a zipline (new this year), a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, food concessions and more, according to a flyer. Admission is $10. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 1419 W. Blackhawk St.
Candy and Comics. Show up in a Halloween costume and get 10 percent off store wide at Challengers' Comicfest on Saturday. Comic book authors Dave Scheidt and Sean Dove will be giving away free copies of their new monster comic, as well as candy. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 1845 N. Western Ave.
Trick-or-Treating At Local Shops. The West Town and Wicker Park Bucktown Chambers of Commerce and their local business members have teamed up for a big night of trick-or-treating in the community. Consult the map, below, to know where to go while navigating around the 'hood. In addition to handing out candy, various stops are hosting costume contests and drink specials. Be on the look out for a "Trick or Treat" poster in the window at participating locations. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, all over the neighborhood.
