Scary Good Times Planned For 40th Annual Halloween Hollow

MOKENA, IL — Residents in and around Mokena can begin celebrating Halloween a bit early this year when Mokena Community Park District kicks off the 40th annual Halloween Hollow, scheduled to run from Friday through Sunday at Yunker Park, 10824 W. LaPorte Road.

The weekend-long celebration is scheduled to include a carnival, market and costume contest, among other entertainment for people of all ages.

"I'm looking forward to it because I missed it last year," Mokena Community Park District Executive Director Greg Vitale said. "Last year would've been my first event, and of course with the pandemic we weren't able to host it, so I'm a little bummed I didn't get to go through it last year. But, here I am for the first time in my second year with the district."

Vitale was hired as executive director for MCPD in May 2020 after Mike Selep left the district.

Halloween Hollow will have food and beverage vendors available throughout the event, including restaurants from around the area selling hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, pizza slices, funnel cakes, brats, ice cream and more.

Parking for Halloween Hollow is $5 per vehicle.

Related: Halloween 101: Everything You Need For A Super Festive Front Door

Here's a breakdown of the events by day:

Friday

• Windy City Carnival, 4-8 p.m. Unlimited carnival ride wristbands are available per person, per session. The cost for Friday's wristband is $30. The carnival will take place in The Oaks parking lot, across the street from Yunker Park.
• Bands and beer sales, 4-8 p.m. Scheduled to perform at the Yunker Park Bandshell is Second Time Around from 4-5:30 p.m. followed by The Student Body from 6-8 p.m.

Saturday

• Monster Market, noon to 5 p.m. Vendors will be selling a variety items, such as plants, home décor, Halloween items and more.
• Windy City Carnival, noon to 3:30 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. Wristbands are $25 for the noon to 3:30 p.m. session, and $30 for the 4-8 p.m. session.
• Scarecrow Laboratory and children's activities, noon to 5 p.m. Activities include horse rides, free ghost town games, bounce house and more. Some activities have a fee and are offered while supplies last.
• Costume contest, check in at 1 p.m. with contest to start at 1:15 p.m. at the Yunker Park Bandshell. Costumes will be judged in four categories: group, funniest, scariest and most original. Prizes will be awarded in each category, as well as one best overall winner.
• Bands and beer sales, noon to 8 p.m. Scheduled to perform at the Yunker Park Bandshell is Big Dog Mercer from 4-5:30 p.m. followed by First Dance Band from 6-8 p.m.

Sunday

• Windy City Carnival, 1-5 p.m. Wristbands for this session are $25.

Proceeds from the event go toward paying for Halloween Hollow and funding programs through Mokena Community Park District, Vitale said.

"It gives us the opportunity to program for next year," he said. "The majority of the funds cover the entertainment. The rest goes back to the general fund, which allows us to offer more programs and events for people in Mokena and the surrounding area. This is our biggest event of the year."

Vitale said that with addition of new staff at the park district, residents can expect a variety of new and enhanced programs next year.

"I can tell you with what we've already been able to accomplish that this coming up year is going to be crazy with new programs," he said. "We've already enhanced the camp, we've enhanced the preschool, we started a number of new events and programs already. The sky's the limit."

For more information on Halloween Hollow, visit the Mokena Community Park District website.

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