Halloween pet parade on Archer

By Mary Stanek

Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon

3808 W. 57th Place •  (773) 284-7394

As it gets nearer to Halloween, more and more events are popping up. Halloween candy certainly isn’t cheap this year, but I have already stocked up on five bags, of which two are large sized.

On Saturday, Oct. 22, the Byline Bank branch at 4970 S. Archer will be hosting its second annual Halloween pet parade. The event runs from 1 to 4 p.m. So, walk on over and even bring your furry friend. There will be food, drinks and vendors. For more information, call (773) 884-4346.

Mary Stanek

In celebration of the Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos, take a visit over to St. Bruno Church grounds on Sunday, Oct. 30. Day of the Dead is an age-old tradition honoring the lives of loved ones who have passed away.

The Sts. Bruno and Richard School Class of 2023 will have transformed the area into a beautiful space to remember departed family and friends. The event runs from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to the grounds’ transformation, there will be food, beverages and music.

I think this is also the perfect time of year to visit the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen. Their 36^th Day of the Dead exhibition remembers individuals from Mexico and the U.S. who have died from COVID-19 and other tragedies throughout the year. After the day, spent in the museum, enjoy some of the best carnitas Pilsen has to offer.

On Saturday, Oct. 29, Garfield Ridge will be busy on Archer, from Nordica to Merrimac to Kennedy High School. The Pumpkin Jamboree Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. There will also be a craft show immediately following in the Kennedy High School parking lot, near 56^th and Narragansett.

Envision Community Services will be hosting a Halloween fundraiser on Oct. 28. The event will be held in the Vittum Park neighborhood at Zoe’s Patio, 5518 S. Archer, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $40 at the door or $35 in advance. The price of the ticket includes two drinks. There will also be appetizers and a D.J.

The holidays are fast approaching and family meals will be shared in our homes. For those that need a little help there will be outdoor food distributions at 5101 S Keeler. The dates are the second Saturday of the month, those being Nov. 12 and Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. until noon.

Happy 30^th birthday to my neighbor, Maria. This means another day of celebration for us and our neighbors.

We have a few other end-of-October birthdays. Happy Birthday to Amy Affelt, Lois DeFelice and my Aunt Gloria.