10-26-2024 7:50am

Third year for Halloween treats and fun at Porter Park

The little children had a great time jumping around in the Balloon Bubble House, a popular new addition this year.

Porter Park in Roscoe was the perfect setting for a fun-filled Halloween extravaganza on Saturday, October 19, 2024. This is the third year for the event, and it gets bigger and better every year.

The event was hosted by the Village of Roscoe Eat One 5 Events.

The Village's human resource director Ann Hanson estimated there were about a thousand children, plus adults, at the Truck or Treat event.

Ann Hanson and fellow Village employee Janel Reidinger started the Halloween tradition three years ago. Each year, new activities and events are planned.

Of course, the biggest attraction is always trick or treating. At least 30 area businesses passed out candy, trinkets and coupons. Rockton-Roscoe News provided candy and helped children assemble skeleton puzzles. Elite Dental of Roscoe played it safe and included a toothbrush and toothpaste in their goody bags.

Cheezy's Grilled Cheese, Pizza Fresca, and J & C Old Fashioned Ice Cream food trucks offered alternate food choices.

New this year was Rock Valley RC Flyers, who practice water landings at Chicory Ridge Park in Roscoe each year, as they demonstrated their skill over a field. Also new were Balloon Bubble House and super pumpkin carving by Lincoln Bias.

Personnel from the Roscoe Police Department, Harlem Roscoe Fire District and Roscoe Public Works Department provided outstanding crowd control and parking options.