The DeKalb Park District staff have put their heads together to conjure some frightening fun to be enjoyed by all ages this Halloween season! Four Halloween-themed events are planned this October and November.
Calling all witches and warlocks, ghouls, and ghosts- you are invited to participate in the third annual DeKalb Halloween House Decorating Contest. DeKalb residents are invited to show off their spookiest house decorations and enter this fun, community-wide contest! Prizes will be awarded in some NEW categories for 2022: Best Overall Theme, Best Special Effects, Scariest, and People’s Choice. Addresses of all entries will be published in local media unless specified otherwise at the time of registration. Staff judging will take place between 4:00-10:30 pm on October 19, with the People’s Choice voting taking place on the DeKalb Park District Facebook page, on October 20-27. Photos of each house will be shared, and the image with the most “likes” by 9:00 pm on October 27 wins! Winners will receive a prize package and a sign to display in their yard. The fee to participate is $5 per house and the registration deadline is Tuesday, October 19, or until full.
Our four-legged friends get to enjoy some Halloween fun too! Staff will be hosting a FREE pet event, Howl-o-ween, for all our furry family members on Saturday, October 22 at Katz Dog Park, located at 393 W. Dresser Road. This costume contest for dogs and their owners has been an annual favorite and staff cannot wait to cackle at all the creativity. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: Most Spook-tacular, Howling with Laughter, and Best Owner/Pet Costume Combo. Judging will begin at 11:00 am sharp!
Spooky has arrived at Huntley Middle School Pool, located at 1515 South 4th Street. Join us for our second annual Monster Mash Splash on Sunday, October 23! At 2:00 pm, we will have several Halloween-themed activities both in and out of the water like a Floating Pumpkin Patch, Racing Spiders, Toss the Eyeball, Float Contests, and more. The fee is $20 for residents and $25 for non-residents.
Bring your carved Halloween pumpkin to Hopkins Sled Hill, located at 1403 Sycamore Road, on Saturday, November 5 at 1:00 pm for pumpkin roll competitions and smash stations! Have fun smashing your pumpkin and turning it into compost that will help nourish plants in the spring. Each participant must be registered, but spectators are welcome. Staff asks participants to remove any candles and glow sticks beforehand. Non-carved pumpkins will not be accepted as they cannot be composted. The fee is $5 per resident and $6 per non-resident!
Learn more about these upcoming Halloween events or other park district Halloween-themed programs and register at dekalbparkdistrict.com or call (815) 758-6663. The public is invited to participate in one or all four Halloween events- if they dare.