The Monday Parks PlayBook: It’s almost Halloween...and we have three hauntingly good ways to have fun!

Boys and girls of every age, wouldn't you like to see something strange? Come with us and you will see, this our town of Halloween! I am the shadow on the moon at night...Filling your dreams to the brim with fright! This is Halloween. This is Halloween! Life's no fun without a good scare.

1. On Saturday, October 27, celebrate Halloween Hoopla! What’s all the Hoopla? Well, start your day at 10:00am, at Metropolitan Square, with the annual costume parade and safe trick or treating through town at local businesses. Children in costume will receive a special trick-or-treat bag and a prize. Then head over to the History Center for a sugar skull workshop and learn about El Dia de los Muertos, (The Day of the Dead,) from 11:00am until 4:00pm. From 1:00pm until 3:00pm, the Des Plaines Park District will sponsor a free spooktacular craft at the Des Plaines Public Library on the second floor. Then, head downstairs for the Magic and Illusion of Paul Lee promptly at 3:00pm.

2. Mountain View is Haunted! During the day, October 27, 28, and 29 the 18-hole mini-golf course at Mountain View Adventure Center will be dressed in its Halloween finest for Haunted Hole-O-Ween. The waterfalls will run red and golfers should beware of skeletons, witches, and rats on the course. Beginning at 8:00pm on Friday and Saturday and 7:00pm on Sunday, live ghosts and ghouls will haunt the course, turning Mountain View into a bone-chilling scare-fest. Children dressed in costume will receive an extra special treat. Parents: Please note that the live action is not recommended for your youngest kids, unless you know they'll be OK with real, scary characters popping up as you play. Also, beware the Headless Horseman roaming the parking lot...oooooooooooooo spooky!

3. In celebration of American composer, conductor, and pianist, John Williams’ remarkable career, the Des Plaines Park District Community Concert Band will present, “From a Galaxy, Far, Far Away,” the music of John Williams, featuring clips movies on the big screen during the performance. The concert will be played at the 515 E. Thacker Street, on Sunday, October 28, at 3:00pm. Selections from the program will include: Can You Read My Mind?, Love Theme from Superman; Finale from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial; Highlights from: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, A. I. Artificial Intelligence, and The Patriot; Selections from the Indiana Jones movies; the Symphonic Suite from Star Wars, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, and more Everyone is invited to come in dressed in costume, especially dressed as some of the iconic characters from the musical selections. All those who do, will receive a free family photo, courtesy of the Des Plaines Camera Club. There will also be Halloween goodie bags for the kids. Don’t miss this show!

Want more information? It’s all here: www.DPParks.org or call 847-391-5700.

See you around the parks!