Last chance to get your spook on!

By Pamela Lannom [email protected] October is a month filled with opportunities for fun, from fall festivals to spooky story nights. As the month comes to a close, many events already have transpired. But don't despair! There's still plenty to enjoy before the trick-or-treating is done - and even after! Family festivities • Listen as legendary Great Lakes balladeer and guitarist Lee Murdock presents "Ghosts of the Great Lakes" from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Hinsdale Public Library, 20 E. Maple St. Murdock narrates this concert featuring songs of supernatural legends and spooky tales of ghost ships, haunted lighthouses and unexplained phenomena. He combines ragtime, Irish, blues and folk styles with his flair for storytelling in songs. The show is geared toward grown-ups, but families with children are welcome. To register, visit www.hinsdalelibrary.info or call (630) 789-1986. • Hinsdale United Methodist Church invites all community members to its Fall Festival from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 28, at the church, 945 S. Garfield Ave. Bring candy bags and wear costumes for this family friendly trunk-or-treat for kids. Adding to the fun will be games, an apple press and cider, costume contest for humans and pets, treats and more. • All ages are invited to come to the Hinsdale Public Library, 20 E. Maple St., in costume to enjoy trick-or-treating, spooktacular games and activity stations during the Boo Bash! from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30. Visit www.hinsdalelibrary.info or call (630) 789-1986 for more information. • Walk through thousands of hand-carved pumpkins at Jack O'Lantern World, which is on display through Sunday Oct. 29 at The Forge in Lemont. Perfect to enjoy with family, friends or a date, this 3/4 mile long walk take visitors through 17 immersive worlds of hand-carved Jack O'Lanterns designed by artisans. Food trucks will be on site for those who work up an appetite, and some activities at The Forge will be available for a separate admission fee. Tickets are $21-$25 for adults and $15-17 for children and must be purchased online. Visit www.forgeparks.com • Enjoy the final weekend of the Fall Color Festival Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 28-29, at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Savor the magic of the season as the leaves of the arboretum's woodlands and global tree collections slowly turn into a rich symphony of color. Walk the path along Meadow Lake to see the many hand-made scarecrows designed by local scout troops and schools. Enjoy the seasonal concessions for sale in Arbor Court from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The arboretum is open from 9 a.m. to sunset. Timed-entry admission is $17, $15 for seniors, $12 for kids ages 2 to 17 and free for kids 2 and younger. Members may enter for free at any time, starting at 7 a.m. Adults-only events • Enjoy thrilling performances and attractions at Howling' at the Moon, an event for adults 21 and older, from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27-28, at Naper Settlement in Naperville. Howl along to live music, feast on delicious local cuisine at the Food Truck Graveyard and obtain a thirst-quenching drink at the BOOze Bar. Behold a 15-foot werewolf in the haunted forest, take a stroll through the Moonlight Market to purchase eerie and bizarre items, wander through the Dark Art Gallery and participate in the costume contest. Other attractions include fire dancers, axe throwing, evil photo-ops, an impalement artist and more. Tickets are $20 each and available online at napersettlement.org. • Adults 21 and older are invited to don their best costumes and celebrate the most spooktacular time of year at the annual Crawl-O-Ween bar crawl from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at Parkway Bank Park in Rosemont. Costumed revelers are invited to enjoy a variety of spooky food and drink specials at seven participating bars - Adobe Gila's, Bub City, KINGS Dining & Entertainment, Park Tavern, Pete's Tiki Tiki, Saltwater Coastal Grill and Sugar Factory. Those who visit all seven will be entered to win a mystery prize. Tickets include admission, access to drink specials and two ticket vouchers for Zanies Comedy Club. They are $10 in advance at www.parkwaybankpark.com or $15 at the event. Dia de los Muertos • Celebrate the Day of the Dead Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 28-29, while exploring the wonders of the animal kingdom at Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road. Zoogoers can immerse themselves in the holiday's traditions, including face-painting (separate fees apply), sugar skulls (while supplies last), coloring sheets and taking photos with the catrinas (traditional skeleton characters). Guests can also enjoy music and admire the Chevy vehicles on display throughout the park. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $29.95, $24.95 for seniors, $20.95 for ages 3-11, free for 2 and under plus $20 parking. For more information, visit www.czs.org/diadelosmuertos. • Stop by the nature center to learn about Dia de los Muertos, a Mesoamerican tradition, and view the altar dedicated to extinct and endangered animals from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, to Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs. Visit www.fpdcc.com or call (708) 839-6897 for more information.