Are you ready to binge on chocolate treats, sour gummy worms and candy corn this fall? Grab your costumes and get ready for Oak Park’s official Halloween trick-or-treating hours from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31.
The village encourages households wanting to participate to turn on their lights and post a sign letting trick-or-treaters know they are welcome. Households not interested in participating can turn off their lights and post a sign to discourage stops.
The village also urges parents to go trick-or-treating with young children, especially after dark. The sun is expected to set around 5:46 p.m. Oct. 31 in Oak Park. Other safety tips from the village include having parents inspect treats, wearing light-colored clothing or reflective tape on dark costumes and staying in familiar neighborhoods.
Oak Park officials remind trick-or-treaters and parents to avoid costumes that perpetuate stereotypes of cultures or races and/or mock individuals or cultures. The Teal Pumpkin Project also provides ideas for making trick-or-treating safer for kids with allergies or medical conditions.
The Oak Park Police Department asks drivers to be careful during Halloween trick-or-treating hours because pedestrians will be all around, and kids might pay less attention to crossing at intersections. Only pre-approved blocks hosting parties on Halloween can close streets, as doing so without warning could prohibit first responders from getting through in an emergency.
A list of Halloween-related events in and around Oak Park are also available on the Park District of Oak Park’s website. Upcoming events include skating at the Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex, a gaming event at the Community Recreation Center and pumpkin carving at the Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center.