Halloween’s not until next week but several events planned for the Elgin-area this weekend will kick off the holiday early.
Boo at the Zoo: Randall Oaks Zoo in West Dundee is offering Halloween-themed activities during regular hours Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27. Trick-or-treating is offered all day and there will be costume parades at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on both days, its Facebook page said. The zoo’s annual Fall Festival also is being held and includes pedal tractor rides, hayrides, pumpkin enrichments for the animals, and pumpkins and treats for sale. Regular admission rates apply. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/RandallOaksZoo.
West Dundee Halloween party: The free event will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, in Grafelman Park. It will include wagon rides, a maze, scavenger hunt, pumpkin decorating, refreshments, a Halloween dance, costume parade, crafts and trunk-or-treating, according to the event’s Facebook page. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/WestDundeeHalloweenParty.
Halloween in the Hollow: The Sleepy Hollow Service Club will hold its free party from 3 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, in Sabatino Park, 163 Thorobred Lane. It will include a chili cookoff contest at 3 p.m., pumpkin decorating contest at 3:30 p.m., costume parade and contest for children starting at 4:15 p.m., and a bonfire lighting at twilight followed by the ride of the Headless Horseman.
Day of the Dead celebration: The Elgin Public Museum, 225 Grand Blvd. in Lords Park, will hold a Day of the Dead Celebration from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. The gathering will feature crafts and activities for children, music, vendor booths and an ofrenda, which is a traditional Mexican altar to pay tribute to departed loved ones, according to the museum’s Facebook page. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children ages 3 to 12.
Great Hawthorne Pumpkin Hunt: The second annual pumpkin hunt will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Hawthorne Hill Nature Center, 28 Brookside Drive, Elgin. Attendees will search for ceramic pumpkin orbs, make crafts, pick pumpkins from a patch, enjoy a campfire treat and trick-or-treat along walking paths, according to a Facebook post. Wearing Halloween costumes is encouraged. Cost is $5 for Elgin residents, $8 for nonresidents. To register, go to www.centreofelgin.org.
Decorated pumpkin contest: The Depot/East Dundee Visitors Center will host its 25th annual contest for decorated and carved pumpkins Saturday, Oct. 26, at 319 N. River St., East Dundee. Pumpkins must be real and dropped off at noon to qualify for prizes, according to the East Dundee village newsletter. There is no fee to enter but only one entry per family is allowed. Saturday is also the last day of the season for The Depot’s outdoor market, which runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Historically Haunted Car Show: The free car show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Dundee Township Historical Society museum, 426 Highland Ave., West Dundee. The entry fee is $20 per car, with the first 50 cars receiving dash plaques, according to the group’s website. Awards will be presented at 2 p.m. for best car by decade, best of show, spookiest car and best Halloween costume.