Halloween lovers: BOOOO…it's a Palooza of all paloozas scheduled for all ages in Wicker Park Saturday

Games, contests and entertainment for all human and canine aged Halloween revelers will be happening at a palooza of all paloozas...Boo Palooza in Wicker Park, 1425 N. Damen, Sat. Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A haunted indoor drive-in movie featuring a trilogy of mummy movies will begin in the Field House starting at 2:00 p.m.

With donations and or involvement of thirty-three different organizations, community groups and businesses led by the Wicker Park Advisory Council, this year's event is

scheduled to be the best ever. Event coordinator Doug Wood said, "This is a good example of how you can work with lots of people each who donates a small amount and together create a large event, even in this stressed economic time."  In addition, the WPB (SSAS #33) is partially funding the event.

Activities will include face painting, pumpkin decorating, art projects, a pumpkin patch, bobbing for apples, apples on a string, finding the needle in the haystack, scavenger hunts, learning to play chess and cook plus lots more. Ghost Bingo is scheduled at 1 to 2 p.m. Dog games will be between noon and 2 p.m. along Schiller near the Damen/Schiller Park entrance.

There are two costume contests too. Children's parade and contest judging will be around the fountain between 11 and 11:30 a.m. while the Canine's parade and contest will between 1 an 1:30 p.m. Judges will include 1st Ward Alderman Moreno, Paige Ormond (Doggy Style Pet Shop) and Rodolfo de Jesus (1st Ward). Prizes in the kids contest are valued between $75 and $100 while the canine contestants will vie for prizes valued at $150 each!

Performances will begin at 10 a.m. and include story telling, dance classes, Mad Hatters performance, Magic Boat Puppet Theater, Monster Mash Dance and Mike Nowak's scary stories.

As Boo Palooza closes the Mummy Trilogy in the haunted indoor drive-in movie begin. Cost for all shows except the Sat. 2 p.m. show is $2, children under five and seniors are free. The schedule begins Fri., Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. with The Mummy. Saturday's first show Abbott and Costello Meets the Mummy is at 2 p.m. and it is Free for everyone. The remainder of the haunting experiences begin at 6:30 p.m., Sat., Oct. 29...The Mummy Returns. Sunday there will be two shows: 2:00 p.m., Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy and at 6:30 p.m. The Mummy Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

For more information: Wicker Park Advisory Council ; Last Boo Palooza in 2009 and slide show