Oswegoland Park District fall events to go on, but with modifications

The Oswegoland Park District has made changes to several popular fall events during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

In a press statement sent to the Ledger Aug. 20, Superintendent of Events and Cultural Arts Kristie Vest confirmed that some of the park district's popular fall events will continue on - with some changes.

The Have Fun? You Won! Kid's Triathlon will be held Sept. 27, with changes to accommodate social distancing and group gatherings. To space out the events and crowds, two triathlon campuses will be used, with the two-mile leg of the event taking place at the Grand Park Community Park. Grades will report to each leg at isolated times, and will compete in waves, "allowing them to compete independent of the large fan base and other students who are normally present."

"We anticipate competing in smaller groups will not only be safer in regards to the pandemic, it will allow young triathletes to participate in a less anxious atmosphere," the statement read.

The annual Monster Mash Bash will still be held Oct. 24, but will transform into an immersive haunted house, the "Not-At-All-Haunted House" at the Civic Center, 5 Ashlawn, Oswego, to best manage crowds at the bash. "A tour experience through an imaginative Halloween-land will mean less social gathering, but the same amount of seasonal fun."

The 35-year tradition will become a walk-through event with "Immersive experiences, entertainers, and plenty of fun photo ops." An annual feature of the bash, 100 penny carnival games, will not be featured this year; instead, "We are creating an immersive walkthrough experience for kiddos to wear their costumes, be entertained by performers, and get their photos taken in several wacky, unique environments."

This year, the bash will also open up later in the day, for teenage participants. Registration is $5 in advance, and $8 the day of the bash. Adult admission is free.

The annual Gobbler Hobbler run and Mashed Potato Mile will take place Nov. 8, over three hours with wave times for pre-registered competitors.

According to the press statement, athletes will select a start time staggered every 10 minutes; from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. for the Gobbler Hobbler 10K, and from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. for the one mile fun run. Each wave will be limited to 50 competitors.

Because of the extended competition time, the run and mile will be moved to the original course, starting and ending at the Civic Center, 5 Ashlawn, Oswego.

The walking pancakes featured at the Gobbler Hobbler have also been eliminated, in favor of prepackaged mini turkey legs, and big turkey legs for each winner.

Registration will be accessible for each event through the Oswegoland Park District website.