Halloween preview: Trick or treat hours and other events around McHenry County

After a muted celebration in 2020, Halloween activities are back throughout McHenry County with towns ready to welcome kids dressed as their favorite character, athlete or monster.

Trick-or-treating hours are set throughout the county for Halloween, which falls on a Sunday this year. Many towns also have other special events for the holiday weekend planned in addition to regular neighborhood trick-or-treating hours.

Last year’s Halloween celebration involved handing out candy in socially distanced ways, outdoor events in the cold, masking, or people not participating in events altogether. COVID-19 cases rose to record levels in Illinois and across the nation in November. With the pandemic having improved since last year, Chief Medical Advisor to the President Dr. Anthony Fauci said people should have fun this Halloween.

“You can get out there,” he said on CNN’s State of the Union earlier this month. “You’re outdoors for the most part, and you can enjoy it. ... If you’re not vaccinated, again, think about it that you add an extra degree of protection.”

The Illinois Department of Public Health recommends precautions should continue to be taken this year, however. Officials said trick-or-treating outdoors is a safer activity than hosting an indoor Halloween party and recommended that those picking up or giving out candy be sure to wash their hands. They also suggest taking part in outdoor activities, such as haunted trails and pumpkins patches, instead of indoor haunted houses. Masks are still required when visiting indoor places.

Trick-or-treating safely with kids is also important to remember, local officials said. Children are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween, Lake in the Hills officials said. Parents should make sure they are aware of where their kids are, know not to go into a stranger’s house or car, and stay in well-lit areas.

Adults should be more cautious on the roads as well. Lake in the Hills officials recommended drivers watch for kids dressed in dark clothing and said inexperienced drivers should try to stay off the roads while kids are trick-or-treating.

Some towns in McHenry County have shared signs on their websites that people can place in windows and doors if they do not want to participate in trick-or-treating. They also recommend keeping porch lights off for people who don’t want trick-or-treaters coming to their door.

Here is a list of trick-or-treat hours throughout McHenry County and events happening to celebrate Halloween this coming week:

• Algonquin: 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday
• Barrington Hills: 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday
• Cary: 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday
• Crystal Lake: 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday in neighborhoods. Trick-or-treating will also be held at local businesses in downtown Crystal Lake for children age 12 and under from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday.
• Fox Lake: 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday in neighborhoods. Trick-or-treating will also be held in downtown Fox Lake with the Chamber of Commerce from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
• Fox River Grove: 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday
• Harvard: 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday
• Hebron: 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday
• Huntley: 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday
• Island Lake: 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday
• Lake in the Hills: 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday
• Johnsburg: 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday
• Lakemoor: 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday in neighborhoods. The village also is hosting an event Heritage Community Park from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday. The event includes trick or treating, food, games, a haunted trail ride and a costume contest.
• Lakewood: 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday
• Marengo: 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday
• McHenry: 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday
• Port Barrington: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday
• Prairie Grove: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday. The village will be hosting trunk or treat at the park at 3125 Barrenville Road from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Kids can dress up and trick or treat from car to car while adults hand out candy from the back of their cars. More information can be found on the village website.
• Richmond: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Richmond police will also be hosting a trunk or treat 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday in the department’s parking lot at 5600 Hunter Drive. Space is limited to 50 cars, so registration is required. Information can be found on the village website.
• Ringwood: 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday
• Spring Grove: 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday
• Wonder Lake: 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday
• Woodstock: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Events also will be held on the historic Woodstock Square. A pumpkin-carving contest will be held from noon to 4 p.m. A costume contest and trick-or-treating around the Square will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Details on the events can be found on the city website.