With potentially record-breaking snowfall in store for the Chicago area this Halloween, several locations are pushing their trick-or-treating hours to avoid the wicked forecast.
On Tuesday, Vernon Hills announced plans to moves its trick-or-treating hours from Thursday to Saturday. Since then, several other suburbs have made similar announcements.
The village of Winnetka said Wednesday it was rescheduling trick-or-treat hours from Thursday to 2-5 p.m. on Saturday "due to weather and safety concerns."
"This decision was made following resident requests to change the hours and in consultation with our Chief of Police," the village said in a message to residents. "The intention is to maximize participation in Halloween celebrations, while encouraging the safety of our youngest residents."
The village of Beecher also postponed its trick-or-treating hours to 3-6 p.m. Saturday "due to adverse weather conditions forecast on Halloween."
"The safety of all the little ones and their parents are of the utmost importance so the possibility of slippery conditions and poor visibility was a determining factor," the village wrote on Facebook.
Beecher also announced its Lions Club has also postponed a Weenie Roast in Firemen's Park until 5-7 p.m. Saturday.
In McHenry County, the sheriff's office urged residents to check with their town or village to see if trick-or-treating times would be postponed to Saturday "due to the winter storm advisory."
In Grundy County, several cities and vilages have also moved their hours. Gardner, Dwight, South Wilmington, Diamond and Braidwood all announced plans to switch their hours to Friday. Meanwhile, Morris, Coal City and Mazon will continue plans for Halloween trick-or-treating.
The hours include:
MORRIS-THURSDAY, OCT 31ST 5-7 PM
COAL CITY- THURSDAY, OCT 31ST 4-8 PM
MAZON- THURSDAY, OCT 31ST 4:30-6:30 PM
Local
SENECA-THURSDAY, OCT 31ST 5-7 PM
MINOOKA-THURSDAY, OCT 31ST 4-7 PM
CARBON HILL-THURSDAY, OCT 31st 4-7 PM
Friday-
GARDNER-FRIDAY, NOV 1ST 4-6 PM
DWIGHT- FRIDAY, NOV 1ST 3:30-7 PM
SOUTH WILMINGTON- FRIDAY, NOV 1ST 4-6 PM
DIAMOND-FRIDAY, NOV 1ST 4-7 PM
BRAIDWOOD-FRIDAY NOV 1ST 4-7 PM
BRACEVILLE-FRIDAY NOV 1ST 4-7 PM
In Chicago, the 10th Ward Trunk or Treat was canceled. Treats will still be available at both the 4th District and 10th Ward Office, according to CAPS, Chicago's alternative policing strategy.
Costumed candy-seekers will likely have to brave record-breaking snowfall, windy and unseasonably cold conditions for the holiday.
As of Wednesday, models show Thursday will be washout, with rain and snow both expected. The day is set to start with rain, which will likely transition to snow heading into the late-morning and afternoon hours.
- Interactive Radar: Track the Snow on the NBC app
The system will leave behind accumulations ranging from 5 inches in far northwest suburbs to 1 to 2 inches closer to the lake and in the city.
Highs Thursday are expected to sit in the low- to mid-30s, though blustery winds will make it feel much colder.
Still, some suburbs said they have no plans of changing their trick-or-treating hours.
"Halloween will be recognized on Halloween, October 31st for Trick or Treating from 3p-7p," Orland Hills Village Trustee Kyle R. Hastings wrote on Facebook. "If we switch Halloween because it’s to [sic] cold and snowy for trick or treaters, we all also have to follow suit in switching Christmas if it’s too warm for Santa and his Reindeers, and then switching the Fourth of July if it’s too cold and wet for BBQ’s."
