Chicago Pumpkin Patches & Events Guide
By Lauren Wulf
Halloween in Chicago is in full swing. Get in the spirit with all things pumpkin in Chicago! Below you'll find pumpkin patch guides, pumpkin carving parties and plenty of other pumpkin themed events to keep you busy.
Pumpkin Patch Guide
By Kristin McCann, CBS Chicago
Read it here!
Now that the temperatures have cooled off, school is in full swing and the colors in the trees are beginning to change, Chicago-area pumpkin patches are ready to help you create fabulous fall memories. There are quite a few pumpkin patches north, south, east and west of the city, each with something a little different to offer. So whether you're in the mood for taking horse-drawn hayride, running through a twisty-turny corn maze, or maybe just holding some baby chicks, you're sure to find a pumpkin patch that is the perfect match for you and your family.
When trying to decide which pumpkin patch is best for you and your family, here are a few things to keep in mind:
• How far is the pumpkin patch from your home?
• What age-appropriate activities are available?
• Is it pay-one-price admissions or are there additional fees for activities?
Pumpkin Carving Contest
October 23, 2012
The Boundary
1932 W. Division Street
Chicago, IL 60622
www.boundarychicago.com
Get in the Halloween spirit by carving a pumpkin at The Boundary. They will provide the pumpkins for just $5. Take them home to display or leave them there and they will show them off for all to see. While you're in, enjoy a free make-your-own candy apple bar. Taste one of their numerous pumpkin-flavored beers and enjoy one of the rotating weekly food specials.
From 4-6pm is family time, so bring the kids in early to enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere.
Pumpkin Carving Contest At Timothy O'Toole's
Timothy O'Toole's
October 26, 2012
622 N. Fairbanks Court
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 642-0700
www.TimothyOTooles.com
Seventh Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest
-- Friday, October 26
8:00 p.m.
Halloween Costume Party
-- Saturday, October 27
10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
Timothy O'Toole's Pub in Streeterville will kick-off the Halloween holiday with their seventh annual pumpkin carving contest on Friday, October 26 at 8 p.m. O'Toole's will provide the pumpkins and carving materials, while carvers simply come with creative ideas. Prizes (and bragging rights) will be awarded to the top three pumpkin artists. Competing carvers may enjoy the pub's Pumpkin Martini (Stoli Vanilla, pumpkin liqueur, cream, whipped cream and graham cracker rim, $10) or other Friday drink specials while preparing their ghostly gourd ($5.50 Absolut cocktails; $18 Miller Family Buckets; $5 Grape or Cherry Bombs).
The following night, on Saturday, October 27, Timothy O'Toole's will hold their annual Halloween Costume Party with a $250 cash prize for the best-dressed guest. A DJ will spin party tunes starting at 10 p.m. and the costume judging will take place at midnight. Saturday drink specials include 20 ounce Miller Lites and Coors Light "Stadium Cups" for $4.
Both events are free to attend.
Pumpkins In The Park 5K
October 27, 2012
Lincoln Park Field House
Stockton & LaSalle
Chicago, IL
www.fleetfeetchicago.com
3:00PM Kids Race Start
5:00PM 5K Start
The 13th annual Pumpkins in the Park 5K is Chicago's Official Halloween race for the whole family. 5K participants enjoy a winding course with 3 "Fear Zones" through beautiful Lincoln Park then celebrate at the post-race party featuring music, sponsor giveaways, Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale beer (for participants 21 and over), a Halloween-themed "Movie in the Park," a variety of food options and costume contests for:
• Best Original Costume
• Best Zombie Costume
• Best Dead Celebrity Costume
The CLIF Kid Spooky Sprints are for kids 12 and under. Other kid-friendly activities include pumpkin decorating, 12 Trick-or-Treat stations, and a children's costume parade.
Pumpkin Fest At Siegel's Cottonwood Farm
Now-October 31, 2012
Siegel's
17250 Weber Road
Lockport, IL 60441
(815) 741-2693
Read it here!
10:00AM-6:00PM -Take $2 off with online coupon
$12 -Weekends/Columbus Day: $14 -Ages 2 and under: FREE
Pumpkin Fest is on at Siegel's Cottonwood Farm. With over 20 unlimited attractions and free admission for kids under 2, there's a lot of affordable family fun happening on this farm.
Lauren Wulf, CBS Chicago
Lauren Wulf writes about living in Chicago on a budget on her website, A Poor Girl's Guide Chicago.
