Umbrellas were in demand for a soggy Halloween Walk Saturday, but that didn’t deter parade participants from stepping out in fun and fancy costumes.
A heavy rain from about 10:30 to 11 a.m. sent some trick-or-treaters scurrying for cover under awnings and doorways, said Nancy Cummings, executive director of the La Grange Business Association sponsoring the walk.
But many parents and kids came prepared with rain ponchos and umbrellas and kept up a steady pace, Cummings said.
“We were concerned the weather might affect things, but the lure of free candy was greater than the comfort of staying dry for kids,” she said.
Cummings estimated 750 to 950 children and parents walked the route winding through the downtown area for the parade led by volunteers from the Greater La Grange YMCA.
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The weather cleared up in time for local stores and restaurants offering various promotions in the early afternoon to attract trick-or-treaters to stay for lunch, shop and enjoy various activities, Cummings said.
“We had a lot of dogs come in costume to Urban Mutt to have their photos taken,” she said of one of the more popular business promotions.
Halloween festivities will continue the following weekend with Haunted Trolley rides sponsored by the La Grange Park Chamber of Commerce from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30.
Trick-or-treaters may visit shops at the Village Market Shopping Center on La Grange Road at Woodlawn Avenue, businesses along 31st Street and the Community Park District of La Grange Park’s Recreation Building, 1501 Barnsdale Road.
The park district sponsors a Halloween party from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the recreation center with carnival games, refreshment and entertainment.
La Grange Park also is hosting its first pumpkin recycling event from 9 a.m. to noon at the Public Works Garage, 937 Barnsdale Road. Composting pumpkins returns nutrients and water to the soil at area farms, rather than producing harmful methane gas when pumpkins are dumped in landfills, according to the village website.
Trick or treat
Heading out on the candy hunt this Halloween? With the holiday falling on a Saturday, there are several different hours for trick-or-treating in area towns. Here’s the official hours to go door to door.
The most time for trick-or-treating comes in Westchester, with hours from noon to 6 p.m.
From 3-7 p.m. Saturday, costumed children may head out in La Grange, Brookfield and Countryside. Trick-or-treating also begins at 3 p.m. in La Grange Park and Burr Ridge, but continues until 8 p.m. in those towns. Indian Head Park begins at 3 p.m. but cuts off at 6 p.m.
In Hinsdale, hours begin at 3 p.m. and continue until dusk.
Those wanting an earlier start can beginning to trick or treat at 2 p.m. in Oak Brook and Westmont, provided they finish by 7 p.m. Clarendon Hills also begins at 2 p.m. but gives snack seekers until 7:30 p.m., while Oakbrook Terrace allows trick or treating from 2-6 p.m.
Elmhurst and Western Springs both begin at 3:30 p.m., with trick-or-treating through 7:30 p.m. in Elmhurst and 7 p.m. in Western Springs.
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