Nightmare on Chicago Street is centered around downtown Elgin but at least one other business is hoping to cash in on the fun by hosting a bash after Saturday night zombie apocalypse ends.
Old Republic Kitchen + Bar’s afterparty begins at 10 p.m. Saturday and will run through 2 a.m. Sunday. The cover charge is $10, and among the guest DJs will be Dougie Stylz of FM radio station Q101. The cost is $10.
“We had a blast (last year),” co-owner Nick Smith said of the first time they held a Nightmare-tied event. “It was one of the most fun experiences we’ve had. We do a lot of shows here, from professional wrestling to live music. The Nightmare afterparty is unique.”
Nightmare organizers were looking for a venue to have an afterparty in another party off the city because the ones closer to downtown were at capacity, Smith said.
Old Republic was one of the drink vendors at last year’s Nightmare, he said, but this year he wanted to focus on the afterparty. The restaurant also gets a lot of business from festival-goers having dinner before heading downtown.
Last year was the first time he experience Nightmare on Chicago Street himself, he said.
“I was absolutely blown away. It’s a hell of a production they put on,” Smith said.
There are lots of family-friendly Halloween events throughout the Fox Valley. But “it’s nice with so many family events that there’s something that skews a little old and a little more mature,” he said.
The festival draws more than 15,000 people downtown and provides an economic boost for the surrounding businesses, which have reported making huge profits that night.
It’s also an opportunity for businesses around the city to tie in with Halloween fest. “It’s up to business owners to seize the opportunity,” Smith said.
Danny’s on Douglas, 231 Douglas Ave., is another business that has a tie-in to Nightmare. The popular pizzeria is holding an afterparty from 10 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday with DJ David “DJX2” Leith, a fortune teller and others providing entertainment.
One new aspect of the event is Friday Night Frights, which will be held the day prior to Nightmare.
The schedule of entertainment includes a fortune teller at Funky Rooster Tattoo and Art Studio, 73 S. Grove Ave.; a magic show at Al’s Café & Creamery, 43 DuPage Court; electric violinist Kenzie Coulee performing at the Martini Room, 161 E. Chicago St.; sword swallower Sally Marvel at Vern’s Tavern, 76 S. Grove Ave.; and a fire eater at El Patio Mexican Restaurant, 64 S. Grove Ave. A complete list of times and acts is available at www.nightmareonchicagostreet.com.
City employees and volunteers started putting up decorations for the big event earlier this week so downtown will have a spooky appearance by Friday night. Nightmare is offering an early entrance option at 5 p.m. for an additional cost. Otherwise the gates open at 6 p.m.
Several streets will be closed in advance of the gathering. They include:
- Chicago Street, from Riverside Drive to Villa Street;
- Douglas Avenue, from Highland Avenue to Prairie Street;
- Division Street, from Center Street to Spring Street;
- Grove Avenue, from Highland Avenue to Prairie Street;
- Spring Street, from Highland Avenue to Fulton Street;
- DuPage Street,from Villa Street to Spring Street;
- Highland Avenue, from Villa Street to Riverside Drive;
- Fulton Street, from Villa Street to Spring Street;
- The alley from Chicago Street to Highland Avenue.
Parking is free but limited in and around the festival. A VIP parking option with a ticket is available, but there are also shuttles available at Larkin High School, 1475 Larkin Ave., and Elgin High School, 1200 Maroon Drive, running every 15 minutes from 4:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Drop-off and pick-up for ride-share vehicles is in the U.S. Post Office roundabout, 66 N. Grove Ave.
No strollers, weapons, prop weapons or pets are allowed. No outside drinks or food are allowed. Large bags will be confiscated.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
