Aurora
• Saturday, Oct. 5 • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Community Hero Day
Community Hero Day is a free, family friendly event, that will take place on the grounds of the Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway. The day will include a variety of safety-related information, pop-up shops, and food trucks. Touch-a-Truck will feature vehicles spanning from police and fire to municipal and service vehicles.
• Tuesday, Oct. 8 (register by Oct. 4) • 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Marianne Renner – From Chaos to Clarity
Attendees can learn how to make big progress without a bit of stress, from Marianne Renner, leadership and business coach at the Batavia Women in Business. Meyer Ballroom, Paramount Arts Center, 8 East Galena Boulevard. Paramount will have tours prior to and after.
For more information visit bataviachamber.org or call 630.879.7134.
• Friday, Oct. 18 • 2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Storytime at the Fire Museum
Children and their families can enjoy a fun story accompanied by singing, dancing, and other interactive elements. Lasts approximately 30 minutes in the Hayloft. Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway
For more information call 630.256.4140.
Batavia
• Saturday, Oct. 12 • 8 a.m. – noon
Batavia Farmer’s Market
More than 30 regular vendors will offer a variety of fresh vegetables, fruit, eggs, meat, cheese, herbs, flowers, music and more, plus weekly pop-up vendors. River Street Woonerf, 1 N. River Street.
For more information visit bit.ly/2otjmDF.
Elgin
• Saturday, Oct. 12 • noon – 2 p.m.
Halloween Happening
A free, family-friendly event will feature games, pumpkin-decorating, trick or treating stops, and goody bags for kids, ages three to 12. Costumes are encouraged, but please keep them age-appropriate and G-rated. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Eastside Recreation Center, 1080 E. Chicago Street.
For more information call 847-888-1989.
Elmhurst
• Saturday, Oct. 12 • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m..
Family Fall Fest
Elmhurst Park District’s Family Fall Fest will be at Wild Meadows Trace Park, 511 S. York Street. Everyone can dress up in Halloween costumes and enjoy trick-or-treating and a haunted house maze, face-painting, pumpkin pitch, and food trucks.
Hinsdale
• Saturday, Oct. 19 • 11 a.m. – 2 p.m..
Hinsdale Family Fall Festival
The free day of fun will include pumpkin-decorating, entertainment, carnival games, and inflatables at the Hinsdale Middle School, 100 S Garfield Street. Trick-or-treating will be available in the downtown business district from noon to 3 p.m..
Lombard
• Saturday, Oct. 5 • 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Fall Fest
The Lombard Park District’s Fall Fest will be at the Lombard Common Park. Families can enjoy games, dancing, hayrides, face-painting, and a candy hunt. There will be Boo Bingo inside the Community Building, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Kids can select a pumpkin, one pumpkin per child, to take home or decorate in the pumpkin decorating contest.
For more information visit www.lombardparks.com or call 630-620-7322.
Montgomery
• Saturday, Oct. 5 • 9 a.m. (registration 7:30 a.m.)
14th annual 5K and 10K River Run
The Montgomery 5K and 10K River Run are USA Track and Field certified. The race will start and finish at Village Hall, 200 North River Street. Portions of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Montgomery VFW Post 7452, the Montgomery Rotary, and Hesed House.
For more information call 630.466.6700 or to sign up for the race visit bit.ly/2kMUGER
• Saturday, Oct. 5 • 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Montgomery Rotary Club Community Block Party
Montgomery Rotary Club will be host to a Community Block Party with music, food, fun, and beverages. Attendees can watch the 5K and 10K River Run at 9 a.m.. Block Party events and activities will begin at 10 a.m. at 200 N. River Street.
• Sunday, Oct. 13 • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Halloween Safety Event
Montgomery Police Department will have its annual Halloween Safety Event at Montgomery Police Station, 10 Civic Center Avenue. Kids can come in costume and enjoy a day of fun, games, crafts, and raffle prizes, while supplies last.
• Saturday, Oct. 19 • 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Electronics and Household Hazardous Waste Recycling
Free recycling will be provided by DC Recycling for Village of Montgomery residents only. Televisions of all types, all electronics (anything with an electric plug or batteries, metal, rechargeable batteries), and household hazardous waste including pesticides, cleaners, automotive fluids, pool chemicals, oil-based paint, CFL bulbs and weed killer will be accepted. Public Works, 891 Knell Road.
Naperville
• October 4-5
Naperville Oktoberfest
The 10th annual Autumn event will have live musical entertainment under a huge heated tent. Children’s activities will be Saturday from noon to 3 p.m., including oversized lawn games, and Naperville Heritage Society’s 50th anniversary themed stein-holding and pretzel-eating competitions. Friday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday noon to 10 p.m..
• Monday, Oct. 14 • 9 a.m. – noon
Creepy Critters Day
Kids can dig for slimy worms, touch a snake, check out a cockroach, go on a creepy-scavenger hunt, meet Buffy the Bat, and attend a creepy storytime. Knoch Knolls Park, 320 Knoch Knolls Road.
North Aurora
• Friday, Oct. 11 • 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Campfire Stores & S’mores
Everyone can gather around the campfire and listen to some legends and lore and roast marshmallows at scenic Red Oak Nature Center, 1385 N. River Road. All participants must register with the Fox Valley Park District.
For more information call 630.897.1808.
• Saturday, Oct. 26 • 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Forest of Fright and Delight
Attendees can explore the Red Oak woods at night on a self-led, haunted-cave hike. Inside there will be activities, music, and games. Flashlights are recommended. Fox Valley Park District. Red Oak Nature Center, 1385 N. River Road.
For more information call 630.897.1808 or visit bit.ly/2m1VtlM.
Oswego
• Wednesday, Oct. 9 • 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Emerson Creek Village Market
Emerson Creek is a vintage market set on seven scenic acres of Midwest farmland. There will be salvaged, repurposed, vintage, antique, and handmade goods. Vendors fill our 3,200 square feet renovated rustic $5 per car. 5126 Stephens Road.
For more information call 630.554.7100.
Sandwich
• October 18-20
Murder on the Rerun
‘Murder on the Rerun’ takes a different approach to mystery when a ghost tries to find out who murdered her in a witty, sophisticated, yet suspenseful look at the upper crust of Hollywood. Showtimes are Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. at the Historic Sandwich Opera House, 140 E Railroad Street.
For more information send to info@indianvalleytheatre.com or contact IVT president Kathie Hart at 815-786-4878.
St. Charles
• October 5-6 • Saturday noon to 5 p.m.; Sunday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kane County Flea Market
Admission $5 each day, free parking, children under 12 free. Food served all day. Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 South Randall Road.
For more information visit kanecountyfleamarket.com or call 630.377.2252.
• October 11-13
St. Charles Scarecrow Fest
For more than 30 years, this award-winning festival has brought heartwarming-memories to both children and adults, and is a tradition for thousands of families across the Midwest. The heart and soul of the festival is the Scarecrow Contest, which boasts more than 100 hand-crafted scarecrows. Participants can enjoy live entertainment, a huge arts and crafts show, carnival, petting zoo, and plenty of food in Downtown St. Charles. Hours are Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m..
For more information visit www.scarecrowfest.com.
Sugar Grove
• October 11 – 20
“Children of Eden” coming to Waubonsee Community College
Fox Country Players, in association with Waubonsee Community College, will present its Fall musical, Children of Eden! It is a joyous and inspirational musical about family, love, and faith. Adam, Eve, Noah and the Father who created them, deal with the headstrong, potentially-disastrous actions of their respective children. Shows are Fridays-Sundays at the Waubonsee Community College Auditorium.
For more information visit foxcountryplayers.org. For tickets visit waubonseetickets.com.
• Sunday, Oct. 27 • 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Free Airplane Rides for Kids
Kids aged eight to 17 years old can discover the magic of flight and cultivate a passion for aviation with free airplane rides at the Aurora Municipal Airport. EAA Chapter 579 Fox Valley Sport Aviation Association safely has flown more than 18,000 Young Eagles at Aurora Municipal Airport since the program was introduced by EAA in 1992.
For more information visit eaa579.org.
West Dundee
• Sunday, Oct. 13 • 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Dairies to Prairies
The Schweitzer Environmental Center will present the documentary, “Dairies to Prairies,” The film explores Elgin’s dairy farms heritage, and how they disappeared under suburban development pressures and modern agriculture. Schweitzer House, 16N690 Sleepy Hollow Road (Schweitzer Forest Preserve).
For more information call 815-356-6605
Wheaton
• Tuesdays, October 8, 15 • 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Doodlebugs Art Class
Children ages four to six can enjoy an hour of creative exploration! The theme is “Beautiful Glue.” The class will meet three consecutive Tuesdays: October 1, 8, and 15. Cost is $24 and parking is free. Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road.
For more information and to register visit Cantigny.org or 630.260.8162.
• Wednesdays, October 9, 16 • 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Sprouts Parent-Child Program
Children aged three to five years (with adult) are invited to explore seasonal nature topics through stories, hands-on activities, outdoor walks, and crafts. Theme: “Happy Fall Y’all!” Class meets three consecutive Wednesdays: October 2, 9 and 16. Cost: $24; parking free. Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road.
For more information and to register visit Cantigny.org or 630.260.8162.
• Thursday, Oct. 10 • 6:30 p.m.
Floral Design Techniques
This class, instructed by Janet Gallagher from Kishwaukee College, will focus on basic techniques. Students will put their new skills to work and create a Halloween-themed floral display. Please bring a wire-cutter and hand-pruner if possible. All other materials provided. Enter the park at Shaffner Road for easy access to the greenhouse parking lot. $50 fee includes parking; $45 for Cantigny members.
For more information and to register visit Cantigny.org or 630.260.8162.
• Saturday, Oct. 12 • 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cantigny Fall Festival
Activities for all ages includes pumpkin-decorating, hay rides, petting zoo, Wax Hands, inflatables, face-painting, craft fair, children’s book sale, food trucks, and live entertainment. Free with $5 parking; nominal fee for some activities. Parade Field. Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road.
For more information visit Cantigny.org or call 630.260.8162.
Yorkville
• Saturday, Oct. 5 • noon – 9 p.m.
Yorktoberfest
Yorktoberfest will be a day full of fun, food, beer, live music, and activities for the whole family. Money raised will be used as a benefit for students in Yorkville and Kendall County communities. There will be line-dance lessons, haystack-hunt, egg-hunt, hayrides, pumpkin-decorating, K.I.T.T. car, food trucks and a beer tent.
For more information visit bit.ly/2m2a5Be
• Sunday, Oct. 20
HCE 21st annual Victorian Tea
Kendall County Association for Home and Community Education (HCE) will have its 21st annual Victorian Tea. There will be three courses of tea, many door prizes, and raffle baskets. The program will be an afternoon with Coco Chanel, presented by Annette Baldwin. Participants are reminded to bring their favorite tea cup. Cross Lutheran Church is located on Rt. 47. 47, south of Rt. 71.
For more information call Bev at 630-554-1530.
• Sunday, Oct. 20 • 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Kendall County Historical Society – Halloween on the Farm
There will be old-fashioned games and trick-or-treating for the kids, a costume parade, and prizes will be awarded. There will be hayrides that take attendees through the haunted barn. Lyon Farm, Route 71.
For more information visit lyonfarmkchs.org.
Would you like your upcoming activity considered for inclusion? Send the event details, name, date, time, and a paragraph description plus the event contact number and/or Web site address to me at neighborhoodactivities@comcast.net. Please send minimum two weeks prior to the event date.