Things To Do This Weekend October 7-9, 2022
By: Nick Borowitz 10/06/2022
Pumpkins, parties, scarecrows and the spooky season has arrived with the autumn air. Here are the things to do this weekend October 7-9, 2022.Don’t forget to join the shutterbug shenanigans in the #LetsSnapLakeCounty Photo Contest. There are five categories to compete in and winners receive a $100 VISA gift card. The Photo Contest goes through October 31.
Visit Lake County has started our 10-Day Check-In Challenge. For the October challenge, brew, wine and spirit enthusiasts can check in via mobile device. An individual will have a chance to win a grand prize, soon to be revealed. The 10-Day Check-In Challenge goes through October 31.
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Sit for a spell and enjoy the potions from the Spooks and Spirits: Lake County, Illinois Autumn Celebration. In the land of lakes, a six-week experience highlights the area’s family festivities, spine-tingling scares, and the seasonal offerings of breweries, wineries and distilleries created by the Lake County Libation Trail.
Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS® at Six Flags Great America is a spooky good time. Don’t forget to check out the Kids BOO Fest during the day and get something to eat for their Oktoberfest Food Festival.
Here are the things to do this weekend October 7-9, 2022.
1. Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival and Skeleton Invasion
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Carve out some fun and celebrate everything the orange gourd offers at the 12th annual Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest and Skeleton Invasion. The Lake County autumn staple is highlighted by carnival rides, pumpkin-carving stations, food vendors, a full bar, live music, a kids’ costume contest, artisan craft vendors, trick-or-treating, hayrides, a pumpkin pie-eating contest, the Superhero 5K Family Run, Walk and Stroll, a pet costume contest and more. Each year, the city’s Great Pumpkin Wall attempts to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest display of lit jack-o’-lanterns. Interactive skeleton displays give new meaning to shake your bones as Highwood downtown businesses reenact notable dance scenes from movies and pop culture. Three stages host music performances featuring Mr. Blotto, Isabella, Not For Profit and many more throughout the weekend. Entry into the festival is free, and various activities have separate admissions. Leashed dogs with a good attitude are welcome.
Friday-Sunday, October 7-9; Fri.: 4-11 p.m., Sat.: 9 a.m.-11 p.m., Superhero 5K begins at 9 a.m. Sun.: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Admission: Free. Downtown Highwood, Various locations on Green Bay Road and North Avenue, Highwood.
2. DIY Scarecrow Day and Fall Fest at Brothers' Field in Historic Downtown Long Grove
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Put on some gloves, break out old clothing and prepare to stuff straw individuals at Saturday’s DIY Scarecrow Day in Historic Downtown Long Grove. Registration includes builders with stuffing, a wooden base and construction guidance from volunteers. Participants are encouraged to bring the clothing and decorations for the hay figure. When the scarecrow is complete, visitors vote for the funniest, scariest and most creative scarecrow. After you build the scarecrow, stroll over to Brothers’ Field for their Fall Fest. The free autumn celebration features live music, pumpkin painting, tractor rides, crafts for kids and cotton candy. The venue’s tiki bar is open and the Chatterbox Food Truck has snacks for purchase. Visit LongGrove.org to register to build a hay figure for the DIY Scarecrow Day.
Saturday, October 8; DIY Scarecrow Day: noon-4 p.m., Admission: $10. Historic Downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove. Brothers’ Field Fall Fest: noon-8 p.m. Admission: Free. Brothers’ Field, 344 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove.
3. Ghost Stories Plus! at Volo Bog State Natural Area
Don’t get caught in the woods after dark for the 37th annual Ghost Stories Plus! at Volo Bog State Natural Area. The spooky tales of Illinois’ lone quaking bog begin with tours of their “haunted woods.” Following the walk, gather around the stage as professional storyteller Jim May shares ghastly tales from the United States, Europe and Japan that scare and delight. Autumn refreshments are available for purchase in the visitor center, and guests are encouraged to pack a picnic dinner. This event is for kids aged five and older to attend. Advance registration is required. Register by email at [email protected] or call 815-344-1294.
Saturday, October 8; 5-9 p.m. Admission: $4-$6. Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Rd., Ingleside.
4. Jurassic Quest at the Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center
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The land of the lost is found and happens to be at the Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center. But be quick; you only have the chance to experience Jurassic Quest this weekend. Jurassic Quest is one of North America’s largest exhibitions of life-sized and moving dinosaurs. The Grayslake exhibit features over 80 realistic, life-size animatronic dinosaurs. Experience their life-size animatronic dinosaurs, including Apatosaurus, Spinosaurus, T-Rex and a 50-foot-long Megalodon. Visitors can learn, interact and even ride some of these giant lifelike lizards. This prehistoric event includes cute baby dinosaurs, fossil digs for your young paleontologists, dino-themed inflatable mazes, face painting and much more. Visit JurassicQuest.com for tickets and information.
Friday-Saturday, October 7-9; Fri.: 1-8 p.m., Sat.: 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun.: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $19-$36. Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center, 1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake.
5. Fox Lake Pumpkin Jubilee
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Break out the carving equipment and find the perfect gourd at the Fox Lake Pumpkin Jubilee. The free festival this Saturday invites guests to carve a pumpkin for $2 per squash canvas. Light the pumpkin and leave it on the pumpkin wall to be displayed overnight. The Community Garden Green pumpkin party features live music, fall-themed crafts with the Fox Lake District Library, fare vendors and more. Jack-o-lantern artists may pick up their pumpkins on Sunday, October 10, from 10 a.m.-noon. For questions regarding the Pumpkin Jubilee, please call the Village of Fox Lake Parks & Recreation Department at 224-225-1404 or visit FoxLake.org.
Saturday, October 8; 3-7 p.m. Admission: Free. Community Garden Green, 17 E. School Ct., Fox Lake.
6. Craft Beer Walk and Brunch in Antioch
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Eat delicious breakfast food, sip suds and shop in downtown Antioch for the Craft Beer Walk and Brunch. The Saturday sampling fun starts at Rivalry Alehouse with brunch. After eating, participants walk around downtown Antioch and sample craft beers at participating shops and restaurants. Brunch times are 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Registration includes beer sampling, brunch at Rivalry Alehouse, a drink coupon, a non-breakable glass and a map of the participating locations. For registration and more information, visit AntiochChamber.org.
Saturday, October 8; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $40. Brunch at Rivalry Alehouse, 945 Main St., Antioch. Beer sampling at various locations throughout downtown Antioch.
For more experiences beyond things to do this weekend October 7-9, 2022, continue here.
#LetsSnapLakeCounty Photo Contest has multiple categories to compete in and chances to win a $100 VISA gift card. Get snapping!
Spooks & Spirits: Lake IL, Autumn Celebration has something for everyone!
The 10-Day Check-In Challenge is for the October brew, wine and spirit enthusiasts. You can check in via mobile device. An individual will have a chance to win a grand prize, soon to be revealed. The 10-Day Check-In Challenge goes through October 31.
Speaking of photography, check these spots out when looking for that ideal autumn photoshoot.
Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS® at Six Flags Great America has something for the whole family to enjoy.
