Costumed Pets, Halloween Run And Spooky Skate Coming To Northbrook

NORTHBROOK, IL — Ninja Turtles, witches, an astronaut and an alien have all inspired matching Halloween costumes for Northbrook resident Meggan Romei and her golden retriever, Zelda.

This year, Romei's 4-year-old niece plans to join them at Northbrook Park District's Halloween Pet Parade, with matching butterfly outfits under consideration.

"Halloween is my favorite holiday!" Romei told the Park District. "I look forward to the pet costume parade. Participants are so creative with their costumes, and the furry friends are doggone adorable."

The Oct. 22 parade is one of three upcoming Park District Halloween events, along with Kooky Spooky Skate on Oct. 16 and the Halloween 3K Fun Run on Oct. 23.

Kooky Spooky Skate

The Halloween lineup begins with Kooky Spooky Skate from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Northbrook Sports Center, 1730 Pfingsten Road.

Admission costs $5 for those in costume and $7 for other participants.

Halloween Pet Parade

The pet parade will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at Techny Prairie Park and Fields, 1750 Techny Road.

Participants can receive goody bags, visit a vendor area featuring sponsor Rover’s Place and other local businesses, and enter costume contests. Categories include best look-alike pet, pet-and-owner combo and spookiest animal.

Registration costs $10 for one dog, $15 for two dogs and $20 for three dogs. The person registering must be at least 18 and attend the event.

Romei and her 8-year-old dog have participated over the past four years, according to the Park District.

Halloween 3K Fun Run

The Halloween 3K Fun Run will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at Techny Prairie Park and Fields.

The event is open to participants ages 5 and older. Registration costs $15 per person or $45 for a family of four. T-shirts are not guaranteed for those who register after Oct. 20.

For resident Megan Kivarkis and her three children, the event has become an annual outing. Their tentative costumes this year include a penguin, vampire and monster for the children and an animal onesie for Kivarkis.

"I was inspired to sign up initially because a friend asked me to join her," Kivarkis told the Park District. "It was so much fun, I signed up my children the following year. This will be our fourth year and now we bring friends with us! It's become a family Halloween tradition."

Her 11-year-old son and 10-year-old twins enjoy seeing people they know, completing the course and participating in post-race activities, according to the district. Those activities include a bounce house and contests such as guessing how many pieces of candy are in a jar — a competition the family has won twice.

"My kids also love the race T-shirts and wear them all year long," Kivarkis told the district.

Registration is available at nbparks.org/programs or by calling 847-291-2993. Day-of registration is also available.

The outdoor events will be canceled in case of inclement weather. Participants can check nbparks.org/status, use the free Statusfy app or call 847-281-3370 for updates.