Grayslake makes downtown 'spooktacular'

The tall and lanky Frankenstein outside the coffee shop in Grayslake had some kids in awe, while others simply looked at him and cried.

Downtowns in Grayslake, Libertyville and Waukegan turned into spooktacular locations Saturday as businesses opened their doors to trick or treaters.

In Grayslake, the Frankenstein in front of Something Brewing Inc. was owner Mike Scholz,  participating in the Business Trick or Treat & Halloween Fall Festival.

He strapped on a pair of drywall stilts and then sewed some pants long enough to cover them. "He even cut his own wig," said his wife, Linda. They also have a shop across from the College of Lake County.

"He chiseled his bolts out last night and he was so proud," Linda joked, referring to the gray bolts sticking out of his neck. "He's really enjoying himself," she added.

Karen Smith, of the Grayslake Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said this is the 10th year for the downtown trick or treating, but the last six years they have expanded to include the farmers market, hayrides, scavenger hunt, small carnival ride area, village hall open house, and music by the Grayslake High School Jazz Combo Workshop.

Saturday was a bit blustery and cold, "but the kids don't seem to care," said Smith as she took a short break inside the village hall where visitors checked out the village's collection of snow globes (in the hundreds), picked up a balloon animal and had the chance to be videotaped sitting in the mayor's chair. The village will air that footage on the municipal cable channel.

Kids also took to checking out the insides of a police squad car, snowplow and a Front End Loader earth moving machine. "Each year it grows," said Smith. She was also happy to see so many businesses handing out coupons, to "bring back business to the downtown" once the event is over, she said.

Carlos and Kelly Amezcua and their 13-month-old Alex strolled down the street and were amazed at the costumes and all the activity. They just moved here in October from Texas for business and live near downtown so they thought they would check it out.

"This is awesome. A really good turnout," said Carlos, who works for Baxter. His wife said they originally were going to the farmer's market. "We didn't know what to expect. It's really neat," she said.

Smith also pointed out that some businesses not located in downtown, like Simply Spectacular Smiles, had set up tables at street corners, The orthodontists also have offices in Antioch and Wonder Lake.

Simply Spectacular handed out candy along with a tooth brush and tooth paste. Melissa Fesenmeyer's daughter Olivia, 3, dressed as Sesame Street's Abby Cadabby, exclaimed "I got a tooth brush. We love brushing."

Her brother Zachary, 5, was dressed as a transformer and brother Jack, 2, was a pirate.

Their mom said they came last year and even though they moved to Island Lake, they came back because it is so much fun. "They are as excited to get a tooth brush as the candy," she said with a laugh.