The Halloween Hoopla Family Fun Fest, presented Saturday by the Deerfield Park District, drew an estimated 500 people to the Sachs Recreation Center.
The event was one of many autumn Halloween community opportunities around Lake County over the weekend as Oct. 31 draws closer.
This year, Halloween Hoopla was held indoors at Sachs instead of at Jewett Park because the Deerfield park is undergoing renovations and improvements.
“We brought it here — 100,000 square feet of fun,” Tony Korzyniewski, the Park District’s superintendent of recreation, said. “This is our big community event that we do once a year. We have stuff for all ages.
“This kind of gives everybody a chance to come together and have some Halloween fun,” he said.
Amenities included carnival games, a Trick or Treat Trail, children’s crafts, balloon twister art, magic, airbrush glitter tattoos and a Grave Rave haunted dance party led by a professional disc jockey.
“I think we’ve always been really happy and pleased with all of the events they put on, so just really grateful to be a part of them,” visitor Mike Temblador of Deerfield said, referring to the Park District.
Spending time with their granddaughter Taylor, 4, of Highland Park, were grandparents Bob and Jill Moss of Deerfield. Taylor was dressed as Skye from the “Paw Patrol” children’s show.
Jill Moss said about making memories with Taylor, “Are you kidding? It’s our second lease on life. She’s having the best time.”
Edward Clarke, 6, a first-grader from Lincoln Park, and his sister Maria, 4, were accompanied by their grandparent Helen Clarke of Deerfield.
“It is so important,” to spend time with the grandchildren, she said, adding she preferred holding the event at the recreation center.
“I think inside is better because if the weather were bad, it’s very difficult to have fun with the kids outside,” Clarke said.
Dressed in a Minnie Mouse dress was Lea Guffroy, 1, from Deerfield. Her father Thibaut was among the parents who also wore Halloween costumes. He wore a full-body green alien costume.
“It’s fun to go with the kids and be a part of it,” he said. “I like to see them happy.”
Jamie Levin of Deerfield, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty of Highland Park, staffed a table on the Trick or Treat Trail. Children could spin a colorful wheel for a chance to see if they won a prize or Halloween candy.
Levin indicated that having a supportive presence by providing a sponsorship table at an event such as Halloween Hoopla is important.
“It’s helpful to be part of our community and we love it,” Levin said. “This is my community. My kids grew up here, so I’ve got to give back to the community.”
