Economic Impact and Community Engagement
The Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association emphasizes that October Days serves as a significant boon for the local economy and a notable attraction for community members and visitors. Events Manager Nikki Faul highlighted the advantages of this event for local businesses, saying that it brings substantial foot traffic into the town. "They shop, they dine, they explore all that our charming town has to offer," she explained. This influx helps local merchants connect with a wider audience and enhance their relationship with the community. Vice President of the Association Dave Gayton echoed Faul's sentiments by focusing on the community aspect of the event. "It’s a great way to connect with families that are in our community and surrounding communities," Gayton said.
Festivities and Events
The month kicks off with "Witches Night Out" on October 9 from 5-8 p.m., where visitors can adorn themselves in pointed hats and black attire while exploring Downtown shops, restaurants, and taverns. Registration isn't mandatory, but registrants stand a chance to win gift cards and giveaways. Further engaging events include DIY Scarecrow Day & Pumpkin Fest on October 11, with community members invited to participate in scarecrow building. One of the crowd-pleasing events is the "Guess the Weight" competition, where visitors can guess the weight of a massive pumpkin to win a prize. Adding a mysterious twist, the Long Grove Historical Society will conduct a Ghost Walk on October 17. Animal lovers can look forward to the Pet Costume Parade on October 19, followed by Downtown Trick-or-Treating on October 24.
Community Spirit
Faul encapsulated the spirit of October Days by saying, "Our October Days really bring people together — families, communities, businesses, nonprofits, volunteers — and we really have a lot of fun celebrating the fall season.” As the celebration approaches, Long Grove is ready to deck itself in all the colors and thrills that the fall season promises.
