A McHenry County Halloween season roundup

Friday, Oct. 22

Trick-or-treating from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at more than 25 businesses along Main Street in downtown Algonquin plus pumpkin painting in The Plaza next to historic Village Hall, and the movie “The Addams Family” at dusk in Towne Park.
Trick or treat from 7 to 9 p.m. through Huntley’s Halloween Haunted Trails. Open to children and teenagers 8 to 17 years old; not recommended for younger children. Adults may accompany children at no additional cost. Trail takes about 15 minutes to walk. Pre-registration required. Tickets are $5 for Huntley Park District residents and $7 for nonresidents. Go to huntleyparks.org for information.
Haunted hayrides through Petersen Park in McHenry continue this weekend. A fundraiser for the Wonder Lake Water Ski Show Team, the hayrides will run from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday of this week at Petersen Park, 4300 Petersen Park Road in McHenry. Tickets and refreshments can be bought at the gate. Cost is $10 per person. For information, go to wonderlakeskiteam.org.
An exhibition of local artists called “October Oddities” will kick off at the Hidden Pearl Cafe, 1250 N. Green St., McHenry, with a reception night starting at 6 p.m. with live music, complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres. The art will remain on display through the weekend. A specialty cocktail menu will be available for a limited time during the exhibition. Prints, T-shirts and more also will be for sale. For information, go to hiddenpearlcoffee.com.
Doors will open for Prism’ Drag Show through Night of the Living Dead edition hosted by Iris Lovelle at 6:30 p.m. with first seating at 7 p.m. at Mixin Mingle, 124 Cass St., Woodstock. All ages are welcome, but viewer discretion advised. Cash bar available for those 21 and older. Tickets are $5 per person online only. Seating is first come, first served. Go to mixinmingle.com for information.

Saturday, Oct. 23

A free, drop-in truck-or-treat event will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Drive in Crystal Lake. Kids can wear costumes and bring treat bags. Go to Rainoutline for inclement weather updates.
Huntley’s Halloween Fun Night will run from 4 to 6 p.m. and feature Halloween-themed games, prizes, a costume contest and outdoor hayrides. Entry is free, but games require the purchase of tickets. A $10 game card includes one entry into every game and activity offered and can be bought in advanced at huntleyparks.org. Additional game tickets also are sold on-site for 25 cents each.
Full Moon Harvest Festival will feature craft vendors, food trucks, live music by Terry Byrne and Miles Over Mountains, All Marine’s Retro Rental’s shipping container bar, a costume contest, pumpkin painting and additional crafts and activities for kids, a bags contest, festive boat rides and trunk-or-treating. The event takes place from 3 to 8 p.m. at Miller Point on the McHenry Riverwalk, 1202 N. Riverside Drive.
Haunted hayrides through Petersen Park in McHenry continue this weekend. A fundraiser for the Wonder Lake Water Ski Show Team, the hayrides will run from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday of this week at Petersen Park, 4300 Petersen Park Road in McHenry. Tickets and refreshments can be bought at the gate. The cost is $10 a person. For information, go to wonderlakeskiteam.org.
The Pumpkin Train returns to the Illinois Railway Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the last two weekends of October. The Pumpkin Train leaves from the main train station at the museum, 7000 Olson Road, east of Union, and heads into the country to the pumpkin patch where pumpkins can be picked and other festivities enjoyed. Admission is $11 for age 12 and older, $8 for 2- to 11-year-olds, and $9 for seniors. The parking and the pumpkins are free. Information is available at imr.org.

Sunday, Oct. 24

The deadline to register for the Crystal Lake Park District’s Haunted Home Decorating Contest is this day. Participants – who must live in Crystal Lake or Lakewood – can submit a photo or video of their haunted home masterpiece by Oct. 27. An email with instructions will go out Monday, Oct. 25. Voting will be held Oct. 28 to 31, and the winner will be announced Oct. 31. The winner will receive a $50 Crystal Lake Park District gift card. For information or to register, go to crystallakeparks.org/special-events.
Registration for the Trick-or-Treat Trot 5K – a fun walk or run around downtown Huntley to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Illinois – starts at 9:30 a.m. The torch lighting ceremony follows at 10:50 a.m. and the race starts at 11 a.m. at the Huntley Town Square. For information, go to huntley.il.us.
The Fall Harvest Fest on the Huntley Town Square and along Coral and Church streets will kick off at 11 a.m. with an open air market featuring food, crafters and more. The festival, which runs until 4 p.m., also will feature a DJ, petting zoo, face painting and family games. A family costume parade will take place at 12:30 p.m., and a trunk-or-treat event will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. on Church Street.
The Pumpkin Train returns to the Illinois Railway Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the last two weekends of October. The Pumpkin Train leaves from the main train station at the museum, 7000 Olson Road, east of Union, and heads into the country to the pumpkin patch where pumpkins can be picked and other festivities enjoyed. Admission is $11 for people age 12 and older, $8 for 2- to 11-year-olds, and $9 for seniors. The parking and the pumpkins are free. Information is available at imr.org.
Witches and Wizards of Woodstock is an all-ages event featuring a “magical” hat, the Loyola University Lumus Quidditch squad, fantasy-themed trivia contests, scavenger hunts, games, crafts, shopping and food. It will take place from noon to 4 p.m. at the historic Woodstock Square.

Monday, Oct. 25

The Fox Lake Police Department will host its free Halloween Howl event from 4 to 7 p.m. with treats, hot dogs, children’s activities, hot chocolate and hayrides. Halloween costumes are encouraged for both children and parents. For questions, call 224-225-1404.
This month’s Make and Mingle from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Harvard Diggins Library, 900 E. McKinley St., has a Halloween theme: vintage-inspired Halloween rosette wands. Registration is required, and masks must be worn at all times. The workshop is free. To sign up, send an email to adultservices@harvard-diggins.org or call 815-943-4671.

Wednesday, Oct. 27

Visit a haunted clinic during a family friendly event at the Community Health Partnership of Illinois Harvard Area Clinic, 62 N. Ayer St., Harvard. Treats, raffles and a flu shot for those age 7 and older are all part of the event, which runs from 3 to 5 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 29

Downtown Crystal Lake opens its doors from 3 to 5 p.m. to costumed children age 12 and younger for trick-or-treating. Participating businesses will have an orange “Halloween Handout” pumpkin flyer on the window.
Willow Crystal Lake will host a Trunk or Treat from 4 to 6 p.m. at the church, 100 S. Main St., with candy, games, crafts, a treasure hunt and drinks to keep attendees warm. Questions can be directed to Phyllis Seyler at pseyler@willowcreek.org.
The Bethany Halloween Carnival is set for 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake, with games, candy, an inflatable slide and food truck. For information, go to downtowncl.org/events/bethany-halloween-carnival/.
Lake in the Hills Police Department’s Frightful Friday trick-or-treat event will run from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Irv Floress Safety Education Center, 1109 Crystal Lake Road.
The Rockin’ Halloween Lock-In for kids ages 9 to 12 will feature a costume contest, organized recreation activities, a monster mash dash, an outdoor glow party, scavenger hunts, PG Halloween movies, a pizza dinner and snacks. The full lock-in runs from 7 p.m. Oct. 29 to 8:30 a.m. Oct. 30 at the Lake in the Hills Village Hall. A partial lock-in goes from 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 29. The deadline to register is Oct. 26, and registration can be completed at bit.ly/LITHLock-In. The cost for the full lock-in is $49 for Lake in the Hills residents and $59 for nonresidents, and for the partial lock-in is $39 for residents and $49 for nonresidents. Face coverings will be required.
A virtual escape room will allow kids ages 8 to 14 to see if they can survive a zombie attack. A live actor will guide participants in a Zoom call, and help them navigate the room by using problem-solving, communication, and coding and math skills to solve a series of puzzles and brainteasers before time runs out. The event will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. Participants will receive an email two days before the event with the Zoom link and instructions. The deadline to register is noon Oct. 27, and registration can be completed at bit.ly/LITHEscapeRooms.
The McHenry Outdoor Theater is hosting a trunk-or-treat party from 6 to 7:30 p.m. followed by a double-feature of “Hotel Transylvania” followed by Universal Studios’ original “Frankenstein.” Local vendors will be decorating their vehicles and handing out prizes and treats. A pumpkin decorating contest each evening will award the winner free admission for the entire 2022 summer movie season. The cost is $12 for adults; $6 for children ages 3 to 11, seniors 60 and older and current and former U.S. military members. Admission is free for children younger than 3. The pumpkin decorating contest is $5.
Doors will open for Woodstock Pride’s Queens of Darkness Fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. with first seating at 7 p.m. at Mixin Mingle, 124 Cass St., Woodstock. Second seating is at 9 p.m. All ages are welcome, but viewer discretion advised. Cash bar available for those 21 and older. Tickets are $10 a person online only. Seating is first come, first served. Go to mixinmingle.com for information.

Saturday, Oct. 30

The Howl-O-Ween Low Cost Animal Vaccine Clinic also will feature crafters, vendors, raffles and kids games to benefit Animal House Shelter in Huntley. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the shelter, 13005 Ernesti Road.
The McHenry Outdoor Theater is hosting a trunk-or-treat party from 6 to 7:30 p.m. followed by a double-feature of “Hotel Transylvania” followed by Universal Studios’ original “Frankenstein.” Local vendors will be decorating their vehicles and handing out prizes and treats. A pumpkin decorating contest each evening will award the winner free admission for the entire 2022 summer movie season. The cost is $12 for adults; $6 for children ages 3 to 11, seniors 60 and older and current and former U.S. military members. Admission is free for children younger than 3. The pumpkin decorating contest is $5.
The Pumpkin Train returns to the Illinois Railway Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the last two weekends of October. The Pumpkin Train leaves from the main train station at the museum, 7000 Olson Road, east of Union, and heads into the country to the pumpkin patch where pumpkins can be picked and other festivities enjoyed. Admission is $11 for people ages 12 and older, $8 for 2- to 11-year-olds, and $9 for seniors. The parking and the pumpkins are free. Information is available at imr.org.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” with a live shadow cast of improv performers is being shown at the Woodstock Opera House. Dressing up and participation are encouraged. The R-rated show is 1 hour and 40 minutes long. It will begin at 7 and 11 p.m. Tickets are $13 each. For information, go to woodstockoperahouse.com.
Oktoberfest at Woodstock Harley-Davidson will feature live blues music by Big Ray and Midnight Rider. Cost is $30 per person, which includes the entertainment, food and giveaways for best costume. Event takes place from 6 to 11 p.m. at Woodstock Harley-Davidson, 2235 Eastwood Drive.

Sunday, Oct. 31

A Halloween Concert featuring the McHenry County College Concert Band and the Crystal Lake Community Band will take place at 3 p.m. at Cary-Grove High School, 2208 Three Oaks Road in Cary. This family event will feature spooky music – including selections from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and “The Time Warp” from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” – performed by more than 100 musicians. Attendees are encourage to wear costumes. The concert is free and open to the public.
The Open Air Farmers Market+ At The Dole will feature a Halloween Spooktacular with dress-up trick-or-treating (all ages welcome, as well as dogs), a scavenger hunt, storytelling, complimentary face painting, balloon art and a special treat from Kaleidoscoops in addition to the regular market offerings. The market runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Dole, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake.
The Pumpkin Train returns to the Illinois Railway Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the last two weekends of October. The Pumpkin Train leaves from the main train station at the museum, 7000 Olson Road, east of Union, and heads into the country to the pumpkin patch where pumpkins can be picked and other festivities enjoyed. Admission is $11 for 12 years and older, $8 for 2- to 11-year-olds, and $9 for seniors. The parking and the pumpkins are free. More information is available at imr.org.
The Volo Auto Museum will host its first “Cars and Costumes” event on Oct. 31 for Halloween. All children ages 12 and younger with a paying adult will be able to get in for free to the museum for the holiday as long as they are wearing a costume. For information, go to volocars.com.
Woodstock’s annual costume contest will be held at 4:15 p.m. at the gazebo in the historic Square. Prizes will be awarded by 4:30 p.m., and trick-or-treating around the Square will follow until 5 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the “scariest,” “funniest” and “most original” costumes in five categories: 3 years and younger, 4 to 8 years old, 9 to 13 years old, 14 and older, and groups.
To participate in the fourth annual Carved Pumpkin Contest, bring carved pumpkins to the Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., by 4 p.m. for public judging during the trick-or-treat event on the Square. Pumpkins will be judged in three categories, scariest, funniest and most creative. Winners will be announced at 5 p.m. Questions can be directed to the Woodstock Opera House office at 815-338-4212.

Do you have a Halloween event coming up? Submit it for inclusion in next week’s roundup by emailing the details to tips@nwherald.com with the subject line “Halloween Round-Up.”

Would you like your event featured in this weekly feature? The first step is submitting your events to the Northwest Herald’s community calendar at shawlocal.com/northwest-herald/local-events/ where they are then considered for inclusion.