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Article by Elena Ferrarin
Communications Coordinator
Northbrook Park District
If you’ve never experienced the Northbrook Park District’s Halloween events, make sure not to miss them this October — grab your spookiest costumes and come have fun with your whole family, pets included!
The Halloween Pet Parade takes place October 23 and the Halloween 3K Fun Run on October 24, both at Techny Prairie Park and Fields in Northbrook.
This year, the Pet Parade and the Fun Run will take place on different days, to ensure everyone gets a chance to participate in both events at their leisure.
Additionally, the Pet Parade will feature a new route, so participants can enjoy a true “parade feel”.
Halloween Pet Parade
The Halloween Pet Parade is a great way to bring the community together and showcase beloved pets in their spookiest Halloween costumes, Recreation Supervisor Matt Papale said. As tradition, Village of Northbrook’s animal control officer and a community service officer dressed in costume are scheduled to lead the parade.
After the parade, a costume contest will crown winners for the best look-alike pet, best pet and owner combo costume, and the spookiest animal.
“The costume contest has a variety of fun categories, and it’s always fun to see who wins each year,” Papale said. “Pet owners will have the opportunity to meet our awesome event sponsors, receive fun giveaways, and take cute pictures with their pets in our pumpkin patch-themed photo area”.
The event’s presenting sponsors are First Bank Chicago opens in new tab, Rover’s Place opens in new tab and Your Dog’s Guru opens in new tab. The gold-level sponsors are Becker Animal Hospital opens in new tab, Bond Orthodontics opens in new tab, Culver’s of Northbrook opens in new tab, Kohn Animal Hospital opens in new tab, Northbrook Animal Clinic opens in new tab, North Shore Family Pet Hospital opens in new tab and Remax Top Performers: The Jane Lee Team opens in new tab.
Halloween 3K Fun Run
The Halloween 3K Fun Run isn’t just a race, it’s a full-on Halloween celebration for all ages, Recreation Supervisor Isaac Urow said.
“Bring the whole family and come dressed in your wildest, wackiest, or coolest costume; we highly encourage it,” he said. “Whether you’re running, walking, or just vibing to the tunes, it’s going to be a frightfully good time”.
The course will meander through the park district’s beautiful Techny Prairie Park and Fields, which will be decked out in spooky Halloween decor.
After the race, runners can enjoy bagels, donuts and (of course) candy. Post-race activities will include an inflatable obstacle course, a bounce house, and games such as giant Jenga, cornhole and more.
The event wraps up with a chance for runners to compete in three costume categories: best child costume, best adult costume and best family costume.
This year’s event is presented by Rise Therapy Chicago opens in new tab. Gold-level sponsors include Art of Problem Solving Northbrook opens in new tab, BAK Brothers Inc. opens in new tab and Sport Clips Northbrook opens in new tab.