Hundreds of people attended the new 2025 Pumpkin Jubilee: “Halloween Express” in Fox Lake on Sunday, Oct. 12 at Lakefront Park.
Afternoon skies were sunny with outdoor temperatures close to 70 degrees for the launch event partnership between The Village of Fox Lake Parks and Recreation with the Village of Libertyville’s Recreation Department.
For the first time, 120 people were signed up with Libertyville Recreation for the opportunity to take a Metra train ride from Libertyville to Fox Lake on an approximate half hour journey for the three-hour jubilee.
Families aboard the train listened to spooky stories and enjoyed a Halloween ride to the Metra station in Fox Lake. The train station is a short walk to Lakefront Park.
Once they arrived, Libertyville families were personally greeted by Jen Kuhn, program and events manager with the Village of Fox Lake Parks and Recreation.
“The Pumpkin Jubilee is a true reflection of what makes Fox Lake special, community spirit, creativity and a warm welcome for everyone,” Kuhn said. “We’re proud to partner with Libertyville Recreation and hope to continue to see families return year after year with smiles and pumpkins in hand.
“Parks like Lakefront are more than green spaces, they’re gathering places where everyone belongs,” Kuhn said.
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Lakefront Park, as a new waterfront amenity, had a great summer season, Kuhn said.
“It’s been amazing, to have a public space that’s open where everyone is welcome to connect, enjoy the outdoors and activities, programs and events, it’s what every community strives to do for their residents and visitors,” Kuhn said.
Kuhn was accompanied by longtime Fox Lake volunteer Randy Huffmaster, who was impressed with the banner attendance.
“This park is pretty jammed,” Huffmaster said. “This is awesome.”
Nicole Schaller of Lake Zurich, of the Lake Zurich High School Class of 2004 and recreation coordinator with the Village of Libertyville, served as a guide and accompanied families on the train from Libertyville.
“I met with Fox Lake a couple of months ago and we were thinking of ways to bring the community together and do events together,” Schaller said. “This is our first attempt and it’s gone very well, very smooth.”
Schaller said Fox Lake, “is a wonderful community where we are just trying to bring people out, connect with each other, no matter what town you’re from, just connecting the crowd across the whole county.”
Attendees could purchase a hollowed-out pumpkin for a nominal fee and take a complimentary trackless train ride. There were free disc jockey dance party amenities on stage too, including the Halloween costume contest.
The winner chosen by popular applause was Aubrey Rivera of Fox Lake, who turns 5 on Halloween, Oct. 31. Aubrey was the horror clown Pennywise from the Stephen King novel “It.” Her mother, Nancy Rivera, did Aubrey’s makeup.
Aubrey was supported by her fan gallery, which included parents Jose and Nancy Rivera and her sibling Jayden Rivera, 14, a high school freshman.
“I’m really proud,” said her mother, Nancy Rivera. “It’s her first time winning anything.”
“I’m really proud of her,” Jayden Rivera said about Aubrey. “I’m proud of my mom for making the makeup the best as she can.”
Carving a pumpkin in view of Nippersink Lake was the Bell family of Libertyville.
Brian and Jennifer Bell accompanied their children (in Halloween costume), Hudson, 5, a prekindergartner, and Madeline, 1.
“This is cool, we would have never been here without the train ride and we get to experience a great fest,” Jennifer Bell said with a smile.
“It’s a fun time,” Brian Bell agreed.
To Fox Lake neighbors, “We just want to say thank you so much for inviting us here,” Brian Bell added.
“What a wonderful event and it’s fun to get the neighboring communities together.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.