Halloween is coming early to Triton College.
Kids will be wearing costumes and gathering treats at the third annual Trunk-or-Treat in Space, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Oct. 10, outside of the Cernan Earth and Space Center, 2000 5th Ave. in River Grove. The drop-in event is free. Reservations are not required.
Approximately 15 colorfully decorated cars will be parked in the Cernan Center’s parking lot in front of the building where kids will be treated to candy and other giveaways.
“This started about three years ago,” said Tina Lilly, director of Business Services for Triton College. “It is hosted and sponsored by the Alumni Association.”
It began when the organization surveyed Triton’s alumni. “We wanted to get a better sense of what are they looking for?” Lilly explained. “They were looking for something to bring their kids to that was fun, friendly and free.
“This was trending in the area. Trunk-or-treat is a hot event. It’s fun, it’s simple, and it’s safe for kids. It’s a controlled environment. Kids line up and go from car-to-car and get whatever fun treats they’re handing out.”
Alumni members were willing to bring their cars to the event and pass out treats.
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“Then we partnered with the Cernan Center to allow the trunk-or-treaters time to come in and see a free 15- to 20-minute Halloween-themed space show,” Lilly noted.
The event was an immediate success. Both the first and second years, over 500 people attended. “This is part of what the Alumni Association does,” Lilly explained. “We do events to bring our alumni and friends of the community back to the campus.”
Lilly reported that not only did the kids wear costumes to Trunk-or-Treat — the parents did, too. “They did family costumes,” she recalled.
After gathering goodies, attendees can attend a screening of a show in the Planetarium at 11:45 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1 p.m., or 1:30 p.m.
“We want everybody to get in the Planetarium to get a taste of what we have to offer,” said Kris Kovach McCall, director of the Cernan Center. “So, we’re offering free 20-minute shows.”
The show was created by Planetarium educator Jordan Jubeck. “She has put together a short little show that combines some space, some humor, some lasers to give everybody a fun Planetarium experience, especially for those who have never been here before,” McCall said.
“I wanted it to be specifically Halloween-focused but also talking about astronomy,” Jubeck said. “We talk about Halloween as a celestial holiday. We talk about some of the spooky stuff out in space, like what happens when stars die. Then, of course, we end it all with a little bit of laser fun. It gives a nice overview of the Planetarium.”
“A lot of people think the Planetarium is just for little kids. And some people think it’s just for adults,” McCall noted. “Little kids and adults are all pretty much excited by space and dinosaurs, and science in general.” In other words, the Planetarium is attractive to all ages.
Attending one of the 20-minute shows offers kids and adults the opportunity to visit the Cernan Center building to see the exhibit hall and stop at the Star Store gift shop. “We are planning to offer 10 percent off all of your Star Store purchases on the day of Trunk-or-Treat,” McCall reported. “It may be a good opportunity to start your holiday shopping.”
The event runs rain-or-shine. If it rains, it moves inside the Cernan Center.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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