Forest Parkers gathered Saturday for the 13th annual casket races. The yearly tradition was a ghastly sight, as costumed locals race their carefully crafted caskets-on-wheels down a stretch of Beloit Avenue. But participants weren’t just in it for the foot race — there were also awards for the creepiest casket, most frightfully funny team, and even for the group that came in dead last.
Teams line up for their heats at the Forest Park Casket Races on Saturday October 18, 2025 | Todd Bannor 
Team Madison Street Theater gives a good effort in the first heat at the Forest Park Casket Races on Saturday October 18, 2025 | Todd Bannor 
Team Park District of Forest Park wins the first heat at the Forest Park Casket Races on Saturday October 18, 2025 | Todd Bannor 
Team Extreme Realty in the Parade of Caskets prior to the Forest Park Casket Races on Saturday October 18, 2025 | Todd Bannor 
Team Little Teeth Big Smiles in the Parade of Caskets prior to the Forest Park Casket Races on Saturday October 18, 2025 | Todd Bannor 
Team Forest Park Public Library in the Parade of Caskets prior to the Forest Park Casket Races on Saturday October 18, 2025 | Todd Bannor 
Team Avengers in the Parade of Caskets prior to the Forest Park Casket Races on Saturday October 18, 2025 | Todd Bannor 
Team Grand Appliance in the Parade of Caskets prior to the Forest Park Casket Races on Saturday October 18, 2025 | Todd Bannor 
Team Madison Street Theater in the Parade of Caskets prior to the Forest Park Casket Races on Saturday October 18, 2025 | Todd Bannor 
Team Pet Emporium in the Parade of Caskets prior to the Forest Park Casket Races on Saturday October 18, 2025 | Todd Bannor 
Team Dead Last in the Parade of Caskets prior to the Forest Park Casket Races on Saturday October 18, 2025 | Todd Bannor 
Team Toy Story in the Parade of Caskets prior to the Forest Park Casket Races on Saturday October 18, 2025 | Todd Bannor 
Team Oak Park and River Forest Wood Shop in the Parade of Caskets prior to the Forest Park Casket Races on Saturday October 18, 2025 | Todd Bannor 
Team Alice in Wonderland in the Parade of Caskets prior to the Forest Park Casket Races on Saturday October 18, 2025 | Todd Bannor