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WEST CHICAGO – Ghosts and goblins will soon be out in force for Halloween. Four West Chicago events will provide an opportunity to celebrate the holiday.
1. Boo Bash at the ARC Center
The West Chicago Park District will host a spooky night full of tricks and treats with its annual Boo Bash. The event will run from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday.
The Boo Bash will be held at the ARC Center, 201 W. National St. The fee for kids 2 years and older is $5 if pre-registered or $8 at the door. Adults 21 years and older are free.
The event will include several children's activities, including carnival games, bouncy castles, balloon artists, a mad scientist room and arts and crafts.
District Program Director Mary Lester said this is the first major event at the ARC Center, which opened in September.
"We wanted to do something in the fall with the new building that was family-oriented," she said.
There will also be contests, including a mummy-wrapping contest, a costume contest, a coloring contest, a jack-o-lantern contest and a great pumpkin guess.
For more information, contact the district at 630-231-9474.
2. Autumn Carnival at the West Chicago Public Library
The West Chicago Public Library's Autumn Carnival is scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. The "spook-tacular" event is hosted annually by the Library's Youth Services Department.
The line-up this year includes spooky games with prizes and a not-too-terrifying Maze of Madness, along with a balloon artist, who will make scary balloon creations for each participant.
Nearly 500 patrons attended last year’s event. Children of all ages are invited. No registration is required.
The library is located at 118 W. Washington St.
3. Day of the Dead celebration at the library
The library's Day of the Dead celebration will take place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The Day of the Dead is a day to celebrate the lives of loved ones who have died. The event will include traditional Latin American holiday food, crafts and events.
Visitors will be able to make a sugar skull or papel picado to be displayed in the library.
Registration is required. To check availability, call the library at 630-231-1552.
4. Trick or Treat in West Chicago
Two trick or treat periods will be established for West Chicago. The first will be the annual Downtown Trick or Treat, which will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Participating businesses will be designated by a pumpkin poster in the front window.
Official trick or treat hours will be 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.