Andersonville Chamber of Commerce Presents AVILLE-O-WEEN

Families are in for a special treat this year as the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) presents Aville-O-Ween, featuring a chilling line-up of events including the return of Halloween on Catalpa, Trick-or-Treating through the neighborhood’s historic district, a Halloween Vintage Market, the Pumpkin Smash and much more.

Halloween on Catalpa

ACC’s Halloween on Catalpa returns Saturday, October 26 from 11 am – 4 pm at 1500 W. Catalpa (between Clark St. & Ashland Ave.), a family-friendly event featuring Halloween treats, interactive games and activities, entertainment, costume contests, and more.

AlleyCat Comics Costume Contest: check-in at AlleyCat Comics booth from 11 am – 1:30 pm; winners announced at 3:30 pm.

Urban Pooch Canine Costume Contest: check-in at 11:30 am; contest and parade from 12 – 1 pm; winners announced at 1 pm. Register in advance here.

Confirmed participants include: AlleyCat Comics, Bender Martial Arts and Fitness, First Free Church, Lake Shore Schools, Little Friends Preschool, Loyola University, Merry Music Makers, Nothing Bundt Cakes, School of Rock Andersonville, Tiny Giants Early Learning Centers, Urban Pooch and Thrivent Financial. This event is rain or shine.

Trick-or-Treating through the Business District

The longtime tradition of trick-or-treating through the Andersonville business district also returns this year, with more than 50 businesses handing out candy and other treats on Saturday, October 26 from 12 – 3 pm. Gluten-free, nut-free and non-candy options available. Participating businesses confirmed to date include:

Alamo Shoes | 5321 N. Clark St.
Ándale Market | 5232 N. Clark St.
Andersonville Antiques | 5234 N. Clark St.
Andersonville Galleria | 5247 N. Clark St.
Bender Martial Arts and Fitness | 5547 N. Ravenswood Ave. (activities, coloring pages)
Big City Optical South | 5301 N. Clark St.
Bow Wow Lounge | 5135 N. Ravenswood (regular, gluten-free & and nut-free candy,dog toys)
Brightsmiles Pediatric Dentistry | 2550 W. Addison Ave. (toys instead of candy)
Bryn Mawr Jewelry Co. | 5139 N. Clark St. (regular & nut-free candy)
Buffalo Exchange | 5252 N. Clark St.
Cheetah Gym | 5248 N. Clark St. (candy, apples, popcorn)
Clark St. Cuts | 5539 N. Clark St.
Dearborn Denim & Apparel | 5202 N. Clark St. (regular & nut-free candy, toys)
Dye Salon | 1481 W. Balmoral Ave. (regular, gluten-free & nut-free candy, toys)
ENJOY, An Urban General Store | 5307 N. Clark St.
First Free Church | 1560 W. Berwyn Ave.
Foursided Cards + Gifts | 5061 N. Clark St.
Graham Crackers Comics | 5028 N. Clark St.
GUS®| Original Gus Giordano Dance School | 5230 N. Clark St.
Jameson Loves Danger | 5208 N. Clark St.
Jeni's Ice Cream | 5306 N. Clark St.
Kopi Cafe | 5317 N. Clark St.
Lilla Barn Clothing | 5535 N Clark St. (regular, gluten-free & nut-free candy)
Little Chompers | 5305 N. Clark St. (toys instead of candy)
Little Friends Preschool | 5600 N. Ashland Ave.
Lonesome Rose | 5310 N. Clark St.
Mas Beauty Restoration | 1515 W. Berwyn Ave.
m. henry | 5707 N. Clark St. (gluten-free & nut-free candy)
Minyoli | 5420 N. Clark St.
Northside Federal Bank | 5159 N. Clark St.
Nothing Bundt Cakes | 4918 N. Clark St.
Open Space Early Learning Center | 4846 N. Clark St. (regular candy & toys)
Paper & Pencil | 1480 W. Berwyn Ave. (regular & gluten-free candy, toys)
Parson's Chicken & Fish | 5721 N. Clark St.
Penelope's Vegan Taqueria | 5204 N. Clark St. (nut-free candy, toys)
*play | 5311 N. Clark St. (regular & nut-free candy)
RAYGUN | 5207 N. Clark St. (regular & nut-free candy)
Replay Andersonville | 5358 N. Clark St.
Sage Stone Counseling | 5501 N. Clark St. #2 (nut-free candy, stickers)
Salon Aken | 5666 N. Clark St. (regular & nut-free candy)
Sandbox Baby Boutique | 5349 N. Clark St.
School of Rock Andersonville | 5600 N. Ridge Ave.
Strange Cargo | 5216 N. Clark St.
The Green Goose Shop | 5238 N. Clark St. (gluten-free candy)
Transit Tees | 5226 N. Clark St.
U.S. Bank | 5340 N. Clark St. (candy, piggy banks­–limited availability)
Uvae Kitchen & Wine Bar | 5553 N. Clark St.
Vase & Vessel | 5135 N. Clark St.
Via Rose Hair Studio | 5142 N. Clark St. (regular & gluten-free candy)
Violet Hawthorne | 5447 N. Clark St (regular, gluten-free & nut-free candy)
Visionary Eye Care | 5222 N. Clark St.

Halloween Vintage Market

Get a jump start on your holiday shopping at the Halloween Vintage Market on Sunday, October 27 from 10 am – 6 pm at 1500 W. Catalpa (between Clark St. & Ashland Ave.) curated by Memory Hoard and Fad2Fresh. Come treasure hunt for vintage finds including antiques, home décor, jewelry, accessories, clothing and other bric-a-brac from local retailers. Vendors confirmed to date include: chih.chic, Classxtrash Vintage, glo.finds, Jush Shop, Real Vintage Swag, Revival A-Go-Go, Shytowngirl Vintage, Sisterfriends Vintage, Sylvia's Backroom, Tess & Co, Vintage Attack Finds and Wonderland Flower Co. by the Floriography Fellows.

Pumpkin Smash

Don’t trash it, SMASH IT! The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Pumpkin Smash on Saturday, November 9 from 10 am – 2 pm at Fire Station 70, 6040 N. Clark St. The goal is to have some Halloween-related fun while reducing waste and educating residents about the advantages of composting food waste. Residents are welcome to drive through to drop off their pumpkins, or join in the smashing fun by tossing their pumpkins in the giant compost container. Note: please remove all non-biodegradable materials such as candles, plastic or metal decorations.

Special Events

Punkin’ Scavenger Hunt – Punkin' is hiding in planters along Clark St., so keep an eye out as you explore Andersonville! Each Punkin' will have a letter on their pocket – unscramble all the letters to spell a festive Swedish word for a prize! Stop by the Andersonville Chamber Headquarters (1554 W. Hollywood Ave.) to pick up a Punkin’ Card or download download here. Once you've unscrambled the letters, return your Punkin' Card with the solved puzzle to the Chamber or scan and send to info@andersonville.org by Friday, November 2.

The 48th Ward Halloween Parade is Saturday, October 26: 10 am meet at Bromann Park (5400 N. Broadway; 10:30 am parade to Halloween on Catalpa (1500 W. Catalpa).

Don’t miss the GUS® SPOOKtacular! Dance Show, featuring dancers from the Gus Giordano Dance School performing hip-hop, jazz and the audience favorite “Thriller” on Saturday, October 26 at 3 pm at the Helen C. Peirce Field (1463 W. Gregory St.).

West Andersonville Neighbors Together (WANT) hosts Ghostly Garden, a non-scary Halloween walk for small children on Saturday, October 26 from 5 – 6 pm at the West Andersonville Community Garden (starting at Berwyn and Ravenwood Aves.). Come in costume for this free event featuring games, treats and prizes.

West Edgewater Area Residents hosts WEAR "Boo! at the Park" on Sunday, October 27 from 2 – 6 pm at Park 599 – Andersonville’s newest park located at 1623 W. Edgewater Ave. Wear your best costume for a chance at big prizes!

Gethsemane Garden Center's Pumpkin Patch is open seven days a week from 9 am – 4 pm through Saturday, October 26 at 5739 N. Clark St. Experience pumpkins, photo fun and a straw maze! On Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm, enjoy face painting and pumpkin painting for all ages!

About The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) fosters a vibrant environment in which Andersonville businesses can thrive by attracting a diverse customer base; providing business support services and advocacy; and engaging in business attraction, long-range planning, and economic development. For additional information, visit andersonville.org.