Kris West doesn’t remember how she came up with the idea 20-plus years ago for Halloween-themed window painting of downtown Clarendon Hills businesses.
The former Clarendon Hills resident, who works at Zabler Design Jewelers, 26, S. Prospect Ave., recalls why she began the activity, but has no memory of how she came up with that specific idea. West was looking for a community Halloween activity when her daughter was in the Girl Scouts.
“I hoped to continue it after the first year we did it, but I never thought we’d still be doing it,” West said. I love involving the kids, and it’s a service project that allows them to see the end result when they’re finished.”
The annual window painting is back again this year Oct. 21 as one of two major Halloween offerings sponsored by the Clarendon Hills Chamber of Commerce. A rain date is on hold for Oct. 22. The Chamber also is sponsoring an Oct. 26 Halloween Walk.
Along with these two traditional activities, the village has set general trick-or-treating hours from 3 to 7 p.m. on Halloween.
The window painting is for organized children’s groups with a leader and is for kids in grades 1 through 5. Sign up for groups may be completed online at www.clarendonhillschamber.com/halloweenpaint.
The activity is on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limited number of open spots. Groups given a spot will meet at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at The Daily Scoop Ice Cream & Sweet Shop, 9 S. Prospect Ave., where window assignments and painting supplies will be given out. Window painting continues until 5 p.m.
Each group painting must have one adult present for every five children, and each window will have a group of up to five children painting while being supervised by the adult.
The other Chamber Halloween offering is the Halloween Walk, from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 26. It will feature trick-or-treating from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at local businesses, followed by Spooky Social from 5:30 to 7 p.m. That second part of the Halloween Walk includes dancing to music played by a DJ, socializing, shopping and dining in downtown Clarendon Hills.
Part of the trick-or-treating is Trunk or Treating at the North Metra parking lot on Burlington Avenue, at which cars with decorated trunks will be gathered so that kids may go car to car for treats, games and other Halloween fun, said Shannon McDonald, the Chamber of Commerce’s executive director.
Eno Home Care, Dynamic Perception Dance Company, Level Up Academy, Community Presbyterian Church, Clarity Physical Therapy and Wellness Center, and the Clarendon Hills Police Department all are participating in Trunk or Treating.
Zabler Design Jewelers is one of the businesses that will be participating in both the window painting and trick-or-treating.
“I’m looking forward to it,” West said. “It’s a lot of fun for everyone, and it keeps the community spirit.”
This will be the third year of participating in both Halloween activities for Tierra Distilling Co., 211 Burlington Ave., which became involved right from its opening in the village.
“It’s great; we love being a part of it,” said Brandon Getchel of Tierra Distilling Co. It’s very good for community building, and we like family-oriented events.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
