Whether you prefer cutesy costumes and movies like ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ or indulge in spooky and creepy movies and activities, just about everyone gets excited when Halloween comes around. But with our stats of 50 to 1 dead vs. living residents, and plenty of events it’s always Halloween in Forest Park!
From May to October, the Historical Society of Forest Park offers Haymarket Martyrs’ Monument & Radical Row Cemetery Tours on the first Saturday of the month, as well as a bike tour in late September. This year was the first-ever Movie at the Mausoleum, and all signs point to it becoming an annual event.
But the main event is always the Forest Park Casket Races…and if you missed it, check out the photos and video on our Facebook page and plan to race or be a spectator next year. Now…back to the cemeteries.
If you’re not familiar with Forest Park cemeteries and the many historically significant grave sites in Forest Park, you can do some digging online – but here are some tidbits to pique your interest and get you in the mood for Halloween.
FOREST PARK CEMETERIES
Following a Chicago lawsuit (1868) and the Chicago Fire (1871), Chicago banned all new cemeteries from forming within the city limits. This gave way to cemeteries being established in the suburbs…and Forest Park (once referred to as the Village of Cemeteries) essentially has five cemeteries in which over 800,000 souls are buried.
Jewish Waldheim Cemetery was the first to be founded in Forest Park. Over 280 cemetery sections represent various Chicago families, synagogues, temples, and other Jewish organizations…and each used to be owned and managed separately. Now it’s Waldheim Cemetery which is ‘home’ to Michael Todd (the third of Liz Taylor’s seven husbands), the Arie Crown Family, and Clara Peller – the ‘Where’s the Beef?’ actress. Todd’s grave was robbed in 1977 and ‘Detective to the Stars’ Anthony Pellicano stepped in to solve the case that baffled police.
Concordia Cemetery is the resting place for many of the victims of the Eastland Disaster of 1915. In terms of loss of life, it was known as Chicago’s worst tragedy — worse than the Iroquois Theatre fire of 1903 and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Erected in 1893, The Haymarket Martyrs’ Monument is a national landmark in Forest Home Cemetery. The Haymarket Affair was a ‘peaceful turned violent’ nationwide movement to fight for the 8-hour work day.
Woodlawn Cemetery is home to Showmen’s Rest, a mass grave of performers from the 1918 Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus train accident in Hammond, Indiana. According to history, the engineer of the troop train had fallen asleep. Despite the elephant statues at the grave site, no elephants are buried there.
Altenheim Cemetery was devoted exclusively to residents of Altenheim (German Old People’s Home). Birth dates can be found ranging from 1811 to 1904. In addition to the deceased’s name, GEBOREN (birth) and GESTORBEN (death) dates, the markers include the inscription HIER RUHT (here rests).
UPCOMING HALLOWEEN EVENTS
Trunk or Treat at the Park District of Forest Park | October 26 – 11 am to 1 pm
Trick or treat at the Park District’s Trunk or Treat! Vehicles decked out in ‘costumes’ will be passing out candy at this Halloween paradise. Cars must register, but no need to sign up for trick or treating. Click here to learn more.
Weekend at Bobby’s Look-Alike Halloween Costume Contest at Roberts Westside | October 25, 6 pm
Start Halloween weekend at Bobby’s Eastside. Six bands from 6:30 to 10 pm and a Halloween costume contest. First place: $100 + 4 free tickets to a Robert’s Westside concert. Second place: $50 + 2 free tickets to Robert’s Westside Concert. Click here to learn more.
Halloween Bash at Scratch Public House | October 26, 8:30 pm
Raise your spirits at this shindig. Spooky drink specials. DJ. Food. Fun…and a costume contest with great prizes at this Halloween Bash. Click here to learn more.
4th Annual Costume Contest at O’Sullivan’s Public House | October 26, 10 pm
Don your best costume and bring your cheering section for this costume contest. First place cash prize: $200. Second place: $50 Sully bucks. Third place: $25 Sully bucks. Winner determined by crowd applause. Contest check-in starts at 10 pm. Click here to learn more.
Invasion of the Scarecrows Bicycle Ride | October 27, 10 am
Meet at the Roos Recreation Center (7329 Harrison) and join the Historical Society of Forest Park for a casual bike ride through town to see all the scarecrow invaders. Click here to learn more.
Judging for Wickedly Spooky Home Decorating Contest | October 26-28
The Park District of Forest Park photographer has taken photos of decorated houses around town so you can ‘cast your vote’ for the ‘best in show!’ Follow the Park on Facebook for photos and judging instructions. A map of homes will also be available if you like to see them in person.
Forest Park Trick or Treat hours | October 31, 3 to 7 pm
Trick or Treat in Forest Park will be held on October 31 from 3 to 7 pm.’
SAVE THE DATES FOR THESE UPCOMING FOREST PARK EVENTS
Forest Park Wine & Art Walk | November 2, 1 to 5 pm
The Forest Park Chamber of Commerce and Famous Liquors Forest Park invite you to explore the unique shops and restaurants and restaurants at our Fall Wine & Art Walk on Madison Street. Taste three wines at 16 locations, locally prepared small bites and Fiber Flash Art Stops along the way. $50 per person includes all tastings and a free bottle of wine. Click here to buy tickets.
Arts Alliance of Forest Park Fiber Flash (runs through Nov. 9) | November 2, 11 am
Get ready to be amazed and amused as the Arts Alliance of Forest Park celebrates the creativity and skill of the community’s Fiber artists. Join them for at 11 am for the Fiber Flash ribbon cutting at Constitution Court (7426 Madison) where trees, streetlights, bollards, and benches will be clothed in handmade scarves, hats, mittens, socks, afghan panels, banners and quilts. Be on the lookout for some farm animals and escaped scarecrows that have invaded this year’s event. Click here to learn more.
There are so many frighteningly fun and cool things to do in Forest Park this time of year, but whatever the season, the possibilities are endless. With all there is to see and do, you’ll be back for more because one stop is never enough.