Village of Orland Park Great Pumpkin Party

The Village of Orland Park Recreation Department is gearing up for the Halloween season. On Saturday, October 1, the department will hold its new Halloween event, “The Great Pumpkin Party,” at the Centennial Park Warming House, 15600 West Avenue.

Free and open to all ages, the party will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and will include a number of activities including hayrides, fall crafts, a pie eating contest, scarecrow stuffing, stories by the campfire, roasting marshmallows, movies and a flashlight pumpkin hunt.

Pre-registration is required to participate in the free pet parade/costume contest. Attendees may sign up for individual activities at the event. Everyone is invited to wear Halloween costumes.

“This is a new event this year,” said Recreation Program Supervisor Stephanie Simpson. “We wanted to do something different to bring the community together to celebrate the season,” she added.

Scarecrow making will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring old clothes, a hat, panty hose for the head. Straw, string and directions will be provided. Participation in the contest is optional and judging will take place at 6:00 p.m.

Bakers Square is co-sponsoring the village’s Pie Eating Contest which will be held at 5:00 p.m. Three different age groups, eight to eleven years, twelve to seventeen and eighteen and older, will compete to see who can eat an entire banana cream pie the fastest. Prizes will be awarded to the winners of each category. Participation is limited and registration will be taken at the event.

“We’ve planned four events within the pumpkin party, offering something for everyone --- even the family pets,” Simpson said. “All of the events are free so we’re hoping that everyone comes out for what promises to be a great time for everyone,” she added.

The Pet Costume Parade will be held at 4:30 p.m., co-sponsored by Eatz and Treatz. Participants are encouraged to bring their costumed animals for the parade/contest. Prizes will be awarded for most spooky, most unique, look alike and most current – “in the moment.” Pre-registration is required for this free event, available at the Recreation Administrative Offices, 14600 South Ravinia or at the village’s Sportsplex, 11351 West 159th Street.

The Flashlight Pumpkin Hunt, sponsored by Central Credit Union, will begin at 7:00 p.m. with the night time pumpkin hunt in the grassy woods of Centennial Park. The first 100 participants will receive a free flashlight from the credit union or children may bring their own. One pumpkin will be permitted per participant, limited to the first 200. The hunt begins at 7:00 p.m. and ends when the pumpkins are gone or at 8:00 p.m., whichever comes first.

Further information about Orland Park’s “Great Pumpkin Party” is available by calling the Recreation Department at 708/403-7275.