Halloween Hoopla, hosted by the Deerfield Park District, drew dozens of families to Jewett Park Pavilion Saturday in Deerfield.
Tony Korzyniewski, the Park District’s deputy director of recreation, said three time slots that Saturday afternoon accommodated a maximum of 50 people per slot, for a maximum of 150 attendees.
The time slots were part of efforts to social distance amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“People are really itching to be able to get to do something, so even though it’s smaller scale than what we typically would do on a hoopla event – where we’d have 1,000 people in the park – we’re going to settle for this, this year, and just make it work, make people happy,” Korzyniewski said.
All participants had to wear personal protective face coverings when they arrived and checked in. Once the event began, families were socially distanced from others for, public health safety, and their face coverings could be removed.
The pre-registered fee was $5 per person and included such activities as arts and crafts, temporary tattooing, balloon art and a treat bag.
Edgar Aguilar, a tattoo artist from Mundelein, said he was grateful that the Deerfield Park District booked him for the event.
“This year has been really bad,” Aguilar said about business as an event worker.
Scott and Tanya Topper, of Deerfield, brought their children Noa, 3, and Stevie, 1.
Scott Topper said the pandemic has caused, “challenging times but you’ve got to look for the good in it and thrilled to be spending so much more time with my family than I normally would have.”
Barisa and Joel Bruckman, of Highland Park, made crafts with their child Brayden, 2. The Bruckman family shared a table, with social distance, with the Reich family.
“Mom loves Halloween, so we’re trying to take him to as many Halloween family fun events,” Barisa Bruckman said as she held Brayden while making a craft using stickers.
Steven and Stephanie Reich, of Wilmette, attended with their children Natalie, 4, and David, 2.
“We love doing holiday crafts with the kids,” Steven Reich said.
Joel Bruckman summed Halloween up during a pandemic.
“We weren’t going to let the current circumstances stop us from making some great memories, enjoying the outdoors and celebrating Halloween,” Joel Bruckman said.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.
