Halloween Activities in Canton, Illinois

Halloween is such a fun holiday, one of my favorites since childhood. I grew up in Peoria, IL and have since moved to Canton, IL a small town about 30 miles from Peoria. Following is a guide to the most interesting activities for the family, children or just you adults. As a parent I must admit the week following Halloween is tough with the candy filled hyped up children. Ok so here are the best and unique attractions around the Canton and Peoria area.

1^st October 11: A 19th Century Halloween Sommer Park: 691-8423, 5:00-8:00 pm
$3/ages 6 and up. This unique Halloween celebration known as a Halloween Play Party is an Early American tradition. Step back in time to the 1800's where this tradition was a time to celebrate the harvest. There will be dancing, drinking, lighting of bonfires, eating, Halloween costumes and ghost stories. This is a good time and dressing up is recommended be it Halloween costumes or old time dress up.

2^ndOctober 17 & 18: Howl-Zoo-Ween at Peoria Zoo 5:30-8:30 pm $3/members or $4/nonmembers. This event is quite fun and unique to the Peoria Zoo. Included is the transformation of the zoo into a fun and scary environment. There is a Halloween contest as well as a coloring contest sponsored by the journal star which is starting in September. There are rides, games and even a magician. Of course there is a trick or treat trail for the children.

3^rd The 23^rd annual Spook Trail in Big Creek Park on October 21^st 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the south end of Big Creek Park.. This is here in Canton and is a good time. I personally like outdoor haunted places they have more of a real feel to them when done right.

4^th The Haunted high School is the Canton haunted house. It is quite a scare. As with all haunted houses they will take it easy on the little ones. It is on October 31^st at the High School.

5^th October 31^st The Halloween Downtown Canton sponsored by Canton Main Street. From 5-7 is the Munchkin Masquerade, little kids dressed up in their costumes trick or treat at the participating downtown businesses. 7pm - 9pm is Dressed to Kill, a KISS tribute band will be performing at Jones Park. Also the Lux Orbis Fire Performers will be performing at Jones Park. This is going to be fun.

There are 5 picks for Halloween activities in my area. Canton, IL is a wonderful small town here in IL and the events such as these are well planned and put together. Peoria a much larger city has equally well planned events. The city of Peoria has really invested a great amount in approving the infrastructure and overall appearance of the city. They have just recently built an incredible ball park in the middle of downtown that is home of the Peoria Chiefs baseball team.

Sources:

http://www.cantonillinois.org/

http://www.peoriaparks.org/Holidays/halloweenevents.html