Photo Courtesy of Town of Normal

by Ryan Martin

Halloween is just around the corner, and for many families that means trick or treating and candy.

While some may prefer to trick or treat door-to-door in their neighborhoods, both Peoria and Bloomington-Normal offer some alternative family-friendly trick or treating events.

On Thursday, October 30th, Uptown Normal is hosting their annual Treat Feast, a long running tradition in Bloomington-Normal.

“Sometimes people get a little squeamish about Halloween and having to go out in their neighborhood and walk long distances,” Joe Tulley, Uptown Manager, said. “This is a time where you can safely pack a lot of trick or treating into a small amount of time and a small amount of walking.”

From 5-6:30pm the streets in Uptown will be closed while Uptown shops hand out candy to trick or treaters.

“We always get overwhelmingly positive feedback about the event,” Tulley said. “Occasionally we may get the odd complaint that the lines were a little long, but that’s about it.”

The popularity of the annual event has changed how they plan for it.

“The past several years we’ve moved away from trying to draw more people in, to focusing more on entertaining the folks that are there,” Tulley said. “The past couple years we’ve added live entertainment, which we’re doing again this year.”

This year will feature live entertainment in multiple locations. Marcos Mendez, a local musician, will be playing, as well as the Peace of Heart Band, which features an Illinois State University professor and his two children. The Normal Community West dance team will be there too, performing a Halloween themed dance rendition.

In addition to the performances, local not-for-profits will be set up around Uptown with fun interactive activities for kids.

Following the event, at 7pm Normal Theatre will have a special one-time showing of Little Shop of Horrors.

Photo Courtesy of Town of Normal

“We just want people to know that it’s a safe and family friendly event,” Tulley said. “It’s a chance to see a lot of fun costumes and maybe catch up with some neighbors.”

On October 31st, the Peoria Park District will be hosting a Trunk or Treat party at the Proctor Recreation Center.

Instead of going door to door, children go car-to-car collecting candy. The trunks of the cars will be decorated in a variety of Halloween-themed decorations for kids and kids-at-heart to enjoy.

An entire block around the Proctor Center will be blocked off for the event to make sure kids are safe.

Visitors can participate in the event by decorating their car and bringing candy for the trick or treaters.

The event begins at 5pm and goes until 8pm.

Other family friendly Halloween events in the Peoria and Bloomington-Normal area include:

The Fall Festival Costume Parade in Peoria Heights taking place on Saturday, October 25th at 11am. The parade starts at Leaves and Beans and ends at Heights Flowers.

On Sunday, October 26th, from 1-3pm the Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington will host their Zoo Spooktacular. Kids can show off their costumes and enjoy crafts, close up animal encounters, and candy.

For more information on the Uptown Treat Feast you can visit Uptown’s website at http://www.uptownnormal.com.

For more information on the Trunk or Treat Party you can visit the Peoria Park District’s website at http://www.peoriaparks.org.