On Wednesday and Thursday, October 26 and 27, the Des Plaines Park District Creative Corners preschool celebrated Halloween. The days' festivities included the annual Halloween paraded and trick or treating through the Administrative offices.Some of the most popular costumes were a range of superheros including Batman, Spiderman, and Captain America, as well as Disney Princess, Tinker Bell and her fairy friends, and witches. The Terrific 3's visited the Magic Pumpkin patch where the seed they had planted grew into candy filled pumpkins. They also played toss the spider, made a haunted house, and had plenty of time for fun. The Fantastic 4's and 5's performed spooky poems and rhymes for their parents and the staff, played a round of "Hot Pumpkin" and other Halloween themed games, and got movin' to the "Chicken Dance" and Hokey Pokey".

The Creative Corners Preschool is partnering with Dr. Thomas Meyer, DDS of Meyer Dental in Des Plaines in a Candy Buy Back Program. Preschoolers and friends of the Park District are encouraged to bring extra wrapped trick-or-treat candy to the Administrative and Leisure Center, 2222 Birch Street, from October 31 to November 4. On November 4, Dr. Meyer will weigh the candy and pay the Creative Corners Preschool $2 per pound. Dr. Meyer will ship the candy to United States troops deployed overseas. The Terrific 3’s Preschool class will use the proceeds to purchase food for the Self Help Closet and Pantry in Des Plaines. “This is a wonderful learning experience for the children,” said Kelly Roback, Creative Corners Terrific 3’s Preschool Director. “We study community helpers all year. The Candy Buy Back program is a way for the children to learn to help members of our community by sharing what they have,” she said. “You are never to young to get involved,” said Karyn Roth, Recreation Supervisor. A representative from the Self Help Closet and Pantry will visit the Preschool during November to talk about collecting food for the less fortunate. A red collection barrel will be in the Preschool during November so the children can participate in the annual holiday food drive, by bringing in non-perishable food items. For more information about Creative Corners Preschool and the Candy Buy Back Program, call 847-391-5700.

To see a complete photo gallery of Halloween at Creative Corners Preschool visit www.DPParks.org.