October 10, 2023 at 1:40pm
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Article by Elena Ferrarin
Communications Coordinator
Northbrook Park District
Humans and their favorite animal companions can get a jumpstart on the Halloween spirit with a medley of events October 20. All the fun takes place, courtesy of the Northbrook Park District, at verdant Techny Prairie Park and Fields, 1750 Techny Road in Northbrook.
Start by showing off your pets in their best costumes during a Halloween Pet Parade from 5 to 6pm. A costume contest will crown the spookiest pet, the best look-alike pet, and the best pet and owner costume combo. The winners will go home with pet-friendly goodies.
After the parade, you can enjoy on-leash activities with vendor booths, pup cups and a doggie pumpkin patch featuring plastic pumpkins filled with dog treats. Rover’s Place is the 2023 Halloween Pet Parade presenting sponsor. The welcome bag sponsor is Hollywood Feed and Kohn Animal Hospital is a Gold Sponsor.
The cost is $10 per dog. Registration deadline is October 19. You must be 18 and over to register and must be present at the event.
Then, give your non-human friends a chance to rest and lace up your running shoes to set off on a Halloween 3K Fun Run/Walk at 6pm, just in time to enjoy the sunset. The course through Techny Prairie Park and Fields will be decked out with spooky decorations, and prizes will go to the top male and top female runners. Runners are welcome to wear costumes. Gift cards and candy will be given out as prizes for the best overall costume for youths and adults, the best group costume, the scariest costume and the most creative costume.
After the race, you can feast on bananas, cookies, squeezable snacks, bagels and cream cheese and, of course, candy. You also can enjoy Halloween-themed carnival games and inflatables. The Halloween 3K presenting sponsor is Floss Law, LLC and all participants under the age of 13 will receive a free pizza coupon courtesy of gold level sponsor Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria.
Jeremy Lew and Associates, Inc. is a gold sponsor for both events.
The cost is $15 for individuals, $35 for families up to four. Pre-registration deadline is October 18. Registration will be available at the front desk of Techny Prairie Activity Center, 180 Anets Drive in Northbrook, on October 20 right up until race time, but T-shirts are not guaranteed for those who register after October 18.