Sink your fangs into fun with DeKalb Park District

Thu September 28, 2023

DeKalb, IL- The DeKalb Park District has conjured some frightening fun with three Halloween-themed events to be enjoyed by all ages this October and November. 

Calling all witches and warlocks, ghouls, and ghosts- you are invited to participate in the fourth annual DeKalb Halloween House Decorating Contest. DeKalb residents are invited to showcase their spookiest house decorations and enter this fun, community-wide contest! Prizes will be awarded in four categories: Best Overall Theme, Best Special Effects, Scariest, and People’s Choice. Addresses of all entries will be published in local media unless specified otherwise at the time of registration. Staff judging will occur between 4:00 and 10:30 pm on October 18, with the People’s Choice voting on the DeKalb Park District Facebook page on October 19-26. Contestants may choose to have their homes judged during the day or at night. Photos of each house will be shared on social media, and the image with the most “likes” by 9:00 pm on October 26 wins! Winners will receive a prize package and a sign to display in their yard. The participation fee is $5 per house, and the registration deadline is Tuesday, October 17, or until full. 

Our four-legged friends get to enjoy some Halloween fun, too! Staff will host a FREE pet event, Howl-o-ween, for all our furry family members on Saturday, October 21, at Katz Dog Park, 393 W. Dresser Road. This costume contest for dogs and their owners has been an annual favorite, and staff cannot wait to cackle at all the creativity. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: Most Spook-tacular, Howling with Laughter, and Best Owner/Pet Costume Combo. On-site registration begins at 10:30 am, and judging will begin at 11:00 am sharp! 

Don’t trash your Halloween pumpkin this year; smash it! Bring your carved Halloween pumpkin to the Hopkins Park Sled Hill at 1403 Sycamore Road on Saturday, November 4, at 1:00 pm for pumpkin roll competitions and smash stations. Have fun smashing your pumpkin and turning it into compost that will help nourish plants in the spring. Register on-site by 1:15 pm to participate in the Pumpkin Roll Competition heats. Staff asks participants to remove any candles and glow sticks beforehand. Non-carved pumpkins will not be accepted as they cannot be composted. This is a FREE event! 

The DeKalb Halloween House Decorating Contest and Howl-o-ween event prize packages, are generously sponsored by Raising Canes of DeKalb. Learn more about these upcoming Halloween events or other park district seasonal programs and register at dekalbparkdistrict.com or call (815) 758-6663. If they dare, the public can participate in one or all three seasonal events.