Glenview’s ‘SKELEbration!’ focuses on ‘Wicked,’ Oz

Glenview’s Halloween SKELEbration! event on Friday attracted an estimated 750 children from around the area to the Park Center, at 2400 Chestnut Ave., Glenview.

New this year were food trucks. There was also a 45 minute  sensory-friendly experience before the regular event opened to the public.

“That’s our big change for this year (the sensory-friendly time) and I was super excited that we were able to offer that,” said Kara Graber, visual arts and recreation supervisor for the Glenview Park District.

Between 30 to 40 families participated in the sensory-friendly preview, Graber indicated.

“We adapt to what people need,” Graber said. “We try to offer what we think will work for all families…“It’s open to everybody so we want to get people from everywhere to come and enjoy the event,” Graber said.

This year’s theme was “The Wizard of Oz” and “Wicked.” When people walked into the Park Center, a large display and photo opportunity reflected this theme.

Costumed “Wicked” characters posed with families for pictures.

“Everybody smiles when you walk in here,” Graber added. “It’s just nice, it’s a fun environment.”

Dressed as a tiny witch was Margot Kalish, 3, of Glenview, who held a bright orange plastic traditional Halloween treat bucket. Margot was accompanied by her sibling, Miles, 6, a first-grader, and their parents Scott and Lauren Kalish.

“This is our second year here and we love participating in all the Glenview activities,” Lauren Kalish said.

John and Anne Kiwala of Grayslake brought their children Emma, 2, and Claire, 4 months. Emma experienced the “Circle of Life” sculpture outside, which for Halloween had an oversized skull decoration in the circle’s middle.

“We’re so grateful to have such amazing park district programs around us,” Anne Kiwala said.

Dressed in inflatable costumes were the Senkyr siblings of Morton Grove, Sophia, 10, a fifth-grader, and Michael, 15.

The Senkyr family has been coming to this Halloween event for more than a decade, said parent Diana Senkyr.

The Senkyr family took a tractor hayride driven by Jon Kuester, director of Historic Wagner Farm in Glenview.

“This is our big park district SKELEbration! so all of the facilities are chipping in. Wagner Farm brings its tractors, and we’re happy to give them the wagon rides,” Kuester said.

When the Senkyr family boarded the first wagon ride of the evening as the sun dropped behind the townhouses in The Glen, Sophia and Michael were surprised that it was a challenge to sit down on hay bales in their inflatable costumes.

“We ordered (their costumes) online,” Diana Senkyr said. “I don’t know if they like it because it’s uncomfortable (to sit) but it’s very funny.”

The Senkyr family has been coming to this Halloween party for childhood milestones.

“We love it here, we come every year,” Diana Senkyr said with a smile. “It’s our tradition.”