Don’t let that smiling face go to waste. Bring your carved pumpkin to the Great Pumpkin Smash, 4-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 at Barrie Park, 1011 S. Lombard Ave., Oak Park.
“The Great Pumpkin Smash is an opportunity for families to bring their pumpkins that they have decorated that are about to rot and roll them down the Barrie Sled Hill,” said Maureen McCarthy, superintendent of recreation for the Park District of Oak Park. “We have contests with little prizes to see whose pumpkin rolls the farthest and the biggest.”
Kids can help gather the smashed pumpkins and put them in containers to be taken away by a composting service.
McCarthy said that the park district has held this free, drop-in event for several years because, “Most people end up throwing away their pumpkins. It’s a way to gather them and make sure they get composted.” But there’s a second reason, she added. “It’s fun for the kids.”
For details, call (708) 725-2000 or go to www.pdop.org.
Results will be in
Did their candidate win? Find out at the Harry Potter/MACUSA (Magical Congress of the USA) Election Party, 2-3:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St. There will be crafts, games, trivia and snacks at this all-ages event. Costumes are encouraged.
For details, call (708) 452-3420 or go to www.oppl.org.
Prehistoric party
Children will play games, do art projects and go on scavenger hunts—all related to dinosaurs—at Dino Works, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 5 and noon-5 p.m. Nov. 6 at Wonder Works, 6445 W. North Ave., Oak Park. The hands-on event is covered by museum admission.
For details, call (708) 383-4815 or go to www.wonder-works.org.
Music makers meet
You and your kids can make a simple musical instrument—or bring your own—to play at a Makin’ Music Bluegrass Jam, 1 p.m. Nov. 6 at Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest. Basses, fiddles, mandolins guitars and banjos are welcome at this free event.
For details, call (708) 366-6530 or go to www.fpdcc.com.
Chill thrill
Manny, Diego, Sid and Buck must prevent a meteor strike that threatens the world in “Ice Age: Collision Course.” The PG-rated film will be screened at 6 p.m. Nov. 11 at Franklin Park Public Library, 10311 Grand Ave. Refreshments will be available.
For details, call (847) 455-6016 or go to www.fppld.org.
