This week’s blog post is by The Paternity Test co-host Matt Boresi, who lives in the Edgewater Glen neighborhood of Chicago with his wife (“Professor Foster”) and their 6-year-old daughter Viva, who eschews your candy corn nonsense.
“Seven more days ‘til Halloween, Halloween, Halloween/Seven more days ‘til Halloween/Silver Shamrock.” So sayeth that most underappreciated of Halloween films, “Halloween III: Season of Witch” a.k.a. “The one with evil Irish robot costumers instead of Michael Myers.” You might not appreciate the cinematic nuances of this work like I do, but regardless, Halloween is, in fact, a week away … and I’m going to let you in on a little secret: the festivities start much earlier in some neighborhoods. Depending on where you live and how aggressive your little monster squad is feeling, you could trick-or-treat at least four days in a row! (And, I would hope, patronize local businesses and support neighborhoods along way.)
So, where are you going to take the little ones to panhandle for snacks? Get some very large goodie bags, pack your boys and ghouls into the Mystery Machine, and head over to these neighborhoods to pay homage to Samhain and fun-sized Snickers:
Saturday, Oct. 28: Skokie
All right, it’s its own town, not a neighborhood, but it’s North side adjacent and opening its arms to kids 12 and younger in costume. Start at Crafty Beaver, Mini Man Monkey Brains or North Branch Yoga (all of which are also great costume ideas) and head down Lincoln Avenue and Oakton Street from 1-3 p.m. at participating local retailers.
Saturday, Oct. 28: Lincoln Square/Ravenswood
These two incredible neighborhoods share a Chamber of Commerce, and come together for a powerhouse trick-or-treat event that’s early in the weekend! This one has story time, pumpkin decorating at Uncle Dan’s Outfitters, sing-alongs and more!
Sunday, Oct. 29: Lincoln Park
It used to drive me nuts that they insist on calling this a “Spooktacular” — now I wouldn’t have it any other way. This is a trick-or-treating party and a scarecrow contest. If you ask me, scarecrows are the new clowns — irresistibly off-putting in their uncanny nature. From 1-3 p.m. head to Clark between Armitage and Diversity or Diversity from Orchard to Lakeview and hit up the local businesses for goodies, plus catch a cornucopia of live performers and enter the costume contest!
Monday, Oct. 30: Lakeview
Southport does Halloween right. Walk the stretch from Roscoe to Grace and go from local merchant to local merchant for candy and festivities. (Let’s get real, though, you’re in this for the candy.) The fun goes on from 4-8 p.m.; that’s a half day of candy gathering.
Tuesday, Oct. 31: Rogers Park
Should it be too rainy, too snowy or too sunny (you know Chicago); should your block not be amenable to trick-or-treating, drag your rattling bones over to Loyola Park where Rogers Parkers will be hosting a Halloween party from 4-5:30 p.m. (You even have time to hit the streets afterwards.) It’s for kids over 3 and under 15, costumes are encouraged, and the eventfeatures games and treats.
You can have your 12 days of Christmas with the partridges in pear trees and lords a ‘leaping. I’ll take six Sixlets sickening any day. 5 Days of Halloween — just watch out for those haunted Irish robot masks.
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