Your Next Three Days: A Halloween Spooktacular

Do you have your costume planned out for the weekend? I was planning on dressing as a reporter, but that really wouldn't be much of a costume. While adults enjoy this time of year, it's really a great time for kids to be kids. Who can resist all the tots in their costumes? Whether they're ladybugs or little lions, they are always so cute.

Several spooky happenings are planned for kids this weekend, along with a few very important football events. Here are a few of our picks for your next three days.

Friday

Two spook-tacular events are happening Friday — and at the same time. Inconceivable! The first of the two events is the Halloween Spooktacular sponsored by the Naperville Public Library. The event is being held outside the municipal center, unless the weather doesn't cooperate. This event will include stories, songs and a puppet show. Of course, costumes are a must. The event kicks off at 4:30 p.m.

Another event at 4:30 p.m. Friday is a Spook-tacular Concert, at Neuqua Valley High School. The Wildcat Fiddlers and the Neuqua Valley Symphony Orchestra will perform some ghostly music. The performers will be dressed in costume and children dressed in costume will be able to participate in a costume parade.

The DuPage Children's Museum is hosting a costume party as part of its Family Fun Friday Nights program. Wear your costume and enjoy a fun fall celebration.

For those who are devoted football fans, you probably won't mind taking a drive out of town to support a local team. Naperville North will be playing at 7:30 p.m. at Marist in a first-round IHSA playoff game. Go Huskies!

Saturday

That costume will get lots of use this weekend. Another opportunity to dress up is at the Halloween Hayrides, sponsored by the Naperville Park District. There are still some openings for Saturday. Registration is required.

Enjoy some spooky tunes performed on Naperville's Millennium Carillon. Carilloneur Tim Sleep will perform the "Bats in the Belfry" concert at the Scare-illon.

Adults like to have fun and dress up, too. If you think your costume is really good and you want the chance to win some money, head on over to the Blackfinn American Saloon for the Seven Deadly Finns Halloween Party. There will be drink specials and a Halloween costume contest.

More football for fans of North Central College! North Central is 3-0 on the road so far this season, and the Cardinals head to Elmhurst for a 1 p.m. kickoff. You can head to Elmhurst for the game or listen live on WONC 89.1-FM.

Sunday

This is the day children dream about for months. Parents love getting the little tykes dressed up; it's the sugar rush afterward that is frightening. All those Dubble Bubbles and Tootsie Rolls … and never enough Snickers handed out. The city of Naperville does not regulate Halloween Trick-or-Treating hours, but the police suggest young children should be done by dusk, and older children by 8 p.m.

Children also have the option of trick-or-treating around downtown Naperville. Downtown merchants with a Halloween balloon outside their door will be passing out candy treats to costumed kids.