The Enchanted Illinois Garden That Becomes Halloween World Once A Year
By Elizabeth Crozier|Published October 23, 2018
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
Not all Halloween-themed events have to be scary. There’s a wonderful festival taking place in Rockford, Illinois this month that is ideal for kids and those who prefer light-hearted entertainment. This Halloween garden is the most wonderful treat of the season, and you don’t want to miss it. Check it out:
The Anderson Japanese Gardens in Northern Illinois puts on a Halloween-themed event every year that is ideal for children. Spook-Tacular Haunts will take place October 27, 2018 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and it is free for all garden members.
If you are not a member, you can attend by paying admission, which is $9.50 for adults, $8.50 for seniors, and $7.50 for children, though those 5 years and younger are admitted for free.
This Halloween garden is brought to life, in part, by Hoo Haven Wildlife Rehab & Education Center. Guests will be able to get up close with owls, vultures, and other seemingly creepy critters that are iconic to this season.
Children are invited to attend in costume and will be able to go trick-or-treating throughout the garden. As this event is early in the day, you'll still have time for your local trick-or-treating tradition.
There will also be craft stations for kids to make candy apples as well as a spooky graveyard for photos. Patrons can also register for the haunted garden tours which leave every half an hour during the event.
The best thing about this event is that you'll be visiting the Anderson Japanese Gardens during autumn. Now is the best time to roam these scenic paths and take in the fall foliage.
Intended to be fun for the whole family, this haunted garden attraction is for everyone. Regular hours on Saturday (and Sundays) are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while weekday hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. if you wish to visit the gardens before or after the event.
Anderson Japanese Gardens is located at 318 Spring Creek Rd., Rockford, IL 61107, and you can learn more about their Spook-Tacular Haunts event on its website or Facebook page.
