Casket Races
The one-of-a-kind tradition returns for its ninth year Saturday, Oct. 23 in downtown Forest Park (Madison Street and Beloit Avenue). Check-in for racers begins at 9 a.m. with pre-race judging at 10:30 a.m., but the real fun begins at 11 a.m. when the racers take to the street and try to pilot their uniquely decorated caskets to victory.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three team finishers, with special recognition for the creepiest and funniest designs, along with the racers who come in “dead last.”
More information is available at exploreforestpark.com
Scarecrow bike tour
Check out Forest Park’s invading scarecrows from your bicycle Sunday afternoon during a free and casual bike ride to take in the homemade scarecrows that have been popping up around town this month. To join the tour, meet at Ed’s Way Food Mart at 946 Beloit Ave. Oct 24 at 1 p.m. Riders are asked to register ahead of time at forestparkhistory.org.
The Invasion of the Scarecrows is a fundraiser benefitting the Forest Park Arts Alliance and the Historical Society of Forest Park. A map of the town’s scarecrows is available on the historical society’s website.
Spooky (virtual) escape room
Prove to be a puzzle master as you try and break free from spooky surroundings to make it back to the Forest Park Library in this kid-friendly event Thursday afternoon. Best of all, you don’t have to leave home to do it. The virtual escape room is designed for kids ages 8 to 10 and can be done individually or as a team.
The escaping begins Thursday, Oct. 21 at 4 p.m. Pre-registration is required at fppl.org.
‘Halloween’ at Triton
Bring your own popcorn and get ready to confront Michael Myers from the comfort of your car in this free screening of the horror classic “Halloween” Sunday, Oct. 22 at Triton College, 2000 Fifth Ave. in River Forest.
The movie is part of the school’s Movie on the Lot series and is free to the public with no advanced registration required. Parking opens at 6 p.m. with spots available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The movie begins at sundown.
Seed collection and spread workday
Help enhance biodiversity at this event hosted by the Forest Preserve of Cook County. Volunteers will join staff from the Trailside Museum to collect seeds of native flowers and grasses, then spread them into select forest areas. The event begins at the museum at 738 Thatcher Ave. in River Forest at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23.
Attendees must register ahead of time by calling 708-366-6530 and should dress for rough, off-trail conditions. This event is only open to those age 12 and older.
Halloween house decorating
This is the last week to get your (haunted) house ready for Halloween before judges spread across Forest Park to find the spookiest home in the neighborhood. To enter the contest, homes must be registered through the Park District of Forest Park. Daytime and nighttime photos will be taken on Tuesday, Oct. 26 with judging to follow. Winners will be announced Oct. 29 at 5 p.m.
For more information, visit pdofp.org.
