The Fox Lake Police Department’s annual Halloween Howl on Monday attracted large numbers of costumed children just days before the actual candy-distribution holiday.
The three-hour party featured an inflatable slide, tractor hayrides with a trick-or-treating stop at the Fox Lake Fire Prevention District building, a scavenger hunt, an Oreo cookie face challenge contest, pumped disc jockey music, Halloween sweets, iceless hockey scrimmages, pumpkins and more.
Police Sgt. Rick Howell said hundreds of goody bags were prepared for the event.
“We always have a great turnout for it,” he said. “Anyone can come. It’s totally free and no registration is needed. We just put it out there for the kids, and the families to come, and we even get kids from other towns that come.
“We always do it the Monday before Halloween so that it’s a separate event from trick-or-treating (and) they can do their own thing,” Howell continued. “It’s kind of something to get them out here, meet with some of us and community building, with the police department and the families.
“It’s perfect for Fox Lake, our small town,” he said.
Halloween costumes included some children dressed as first responders. An inflatable dinosaur costume kept being challenged by the winds. The dinosaur costume was worn by Emanuel Levin, 14, of Waukegan. His mother Laura said with a laugh that the inflatable costume “flies away.”
About 850 hot dogs were grilled and served by volunteers, including Fox Lake Mayor Donny Schmit. Chips and beverages rounded out the meal.
“I consider the village one big family,” Schmit said. “This is like another family event. And it shows what a great community we are.
“I consider it (an event for the) whole region,” he said. “Lake County is a big harbor, and each town’s a ship in it. And, as the harbor rises, so do all the ships. It’s an opportunity for everybody to support one another.”
Todd Hacke of Spring Grove — who attended with wife Justine and their children Teddy, 4, and Zoe, 2 — said, “This is one of the best spots ever, and the volunteers just make it great.”
