A chilly, foggy morning at Navy Pier did not stop parents and children from participating in Halloween festivities on Wednesday.
The pier opened its doors to the public for its daylong Hallowheel event. Over 1,031 pre-registered guests were expected to enjoy free rides on the Centennial Wheel which will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Guests can also enjoy free candy throughout the pier from 3 to 7 p.m. At the west main entrance, trick-or-treaters can receive a passport from guest services to indicate candy collection points at the different posts on the pier.
Devonne Phams, guest experience operations manager at Navy Pier, looked forward to a steady flow of visitors throughout the day. He said people usually bring children to participate in Halloween events in the evening after work. He expects many tourists mixed with local trick-or-treaters.
“You get to see the kids dressed up as their favorite superhero and have fun,” Phams said.
He said riders come to enjoy the view of Chicago on the Centennial Wheel.
Arkansas native Missy Stout, 61, was visiting Chicago for the first time this week. She had no idea about Navy Pier’s Hallowheel event but said the wheel is one of Chicago’s icons.
“I’m not sure what to expect in Chicago on Halloween,” Stout said.
Some parents decided to start Halloween early with their little ones. Chicago local Sean Moody brought his little girl out early to enjoy the wheel and the Children’s Museum. He and his wife researched Halloween festivities happening around the city and came across the Hallowheel event at Navy Pier. Moody’s daughter, Parker, 2, was dressed as a purple grape. He’s hoping his daughter is now old enough to enjoy the Ferris Wheel.
“We’ll probably do some trick-or-treating north of Lincoln Park later on this evening,” Moody said.
Australian tourist Jason Uhlmann, 47, was visiting Chicago to see the Bears play at Soldier Field. Uhlmann and his wife could see the Centennial Wheel from their lodging and decided to check it out and see the site
“We have Halloween in Australia, but it’s nothing like here,” Uhlmann said. “We have kids go around the streets and get lollis, but it’s a bit crazier here…we’re looking forward to seeing it.”