BOO-Palooza and Bark-Palooza

The date for Boo-Palooza / Bark-Palooza 2024 is pending. Check back here for updates.

What is Boo-Palooza / Bark-Palooza?

Boo-Palooza is a family-friendly event featuring live music, an all-ages costume parade and contest, games, activities, pumpkin decorating, face painting, and more. Bark-Palooza is a dog-friendly event that coincides with Boo-Palooza that includes a dog costume parade. Boo-Palooza / Bark-Palooza is attended by 2,500-3,000 people each year.

Who Organizes Boo-Palooza / Bark-Palooza?

Boo-Palooza / Bark-Palooza is a community-funded event organized by the Wicker Park Advisory Council & Garden Club. The event is a fundraiser for WPAC initiatives including the CREATE Event Series, the park’s 10,000 square feet of gardens, and the Wicker Bark Park rebuild.

WPAC’s Boo-Palooza / Bark-Palooza is put on in partnership with the Chicago Park District and about 50+ local businesses & Community Organizations. In addition, the event is partially funded with a Community Grant from Wicker Park Bucktown Special Service Area #33. Boo-Palooza / Bark-Palooza is a Chicago Park District Night Out in the Parks Event.

Get Involved

Volunteer

Email WPAC@WickerPark.org to sign up

Donate

Become a Sponsor

There are a wide variety of sponsorship options for businesses, including sponsoring specific events and stages or having a table.

Boo-Palooza 2023 Recap

The 17th annual Boo-Palooza / Bark-Palooza was held on October 21, 2023. 

See more photos of Boo-Palooza / Bark-Palooza here.

2023 Boo-Palooza / Bark-Palooza Line-Up

  • 10:00am – 10:30am  – CRUELTY FREE YOU + ME – Story Telling
  • 10:30am – 11:15am LITTLE MISS ANN – SPONSORED BY Ask Nagel Realty
  • 11:30am – Noon – A Costume Parade for All Ages with Prizes for Best Children’s Costumes,(6 Prizes), Family Group Costumes (6 Prizes), and Adult Costumes (6 Prizes) Parade Sponsored by Electric Elk LLC  and  Crumbl Cookies
  • 12:30pm – 1pm – A Costume Parade for Dogs with Prizes for the Top  Dogs and Their Owners  Parade Sponsored by Electric Elk LLC
  • BigStar – ONE OFF Hosiptality’s Food Truck on the Basketball Court
  • Dog Games in NEW BARK-Palooza Activity Area – 10am – 2pm
  • An Exibit of Pumpkin Art by Wicker Park Kids located by the Maze
  • Sculptures by the Charles Wicker Sculpture – Great Photo OP!
  • 3 Face Painting Locations Presented by Ivy Star Face Painting, Chicago Park District Staff and The Moret Collection Activity Table- 10am-2pm
  • Pumpkin Patch & Pumpkin Decorating Area – 10am – 2pm  Pick a Pumpkin then Go & Decorate It!
  • The MAZE Area – 10am – 2pm
  • Photo OP Sets – 10am – 2pm
  • Games Area – 10am – 2pm
  • Apples on a String – 10am-2pm
  • Find the ‘Needle’ in The Straw Stack – 10am – 2pm
  • Numerous Activity Tables Offered by The Sponsors, Community Groups and Businesses

Boo-Palooza + Bark-Palooza Sponsors

PEOPLE’S PARADE PRIZE SPONSORS – Prizes worth $50-$150

Building Blocks Toys          FACE FOUNDRIE          Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream Wicker Park          Little Kickers         

Mojo Spa          Pure Green          Round Two          Stans Donuts          The Robey Chicago         

The Wormhole Coffee          Wicker Park Inn

PEOPLE’S PARADE JUDGES

Congressman Mike Quigley          1st Ward Alderman LaSpata          Claribel Rodriguez          Maria Mariottini         

Elaine Coorens          Greg Nagel          Leah Root          Ann Nolan          Tiffany Moret

PRESENTING SPONSORS – Sponsored The Entire Event and MORE!

Wicker Park Bucktown Special Service Area #33 – All Event Sponsor

Electric Elk LLC – Sponsor of Both People’s & Dog’s Parades

Crumbl Cookie – Sponsor of People’s Parade

Ask Nagel Realty – Sponsor of the Stage

One Off Hospitality, Doves, Big Star – All Event Sponsor

Wicker Park Advisory Council & Wicker Park Garden Club

Chicago Park District

EVENT SPONSORS – Most with Activity Tables-Sponsored All Activities at Boo-Bark-Palooza

Congressman Mike Quigley          1st Ward Alderman Daniel LaSpata          32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack         

Altitude Chicago          Bucktown Community Organization          Magnolia Pediatric Dentistry         

Shelby Hasten + Madeline Devlin Realty         Wicker Park Committee

PEOPLE’S ACTIVITY AREAS SPONSORS – Sponsored The Pumpkin Patch & The Maze Most with Activity Tables

Ann Nolan State Farm         Bennett Day School         Bright Smiles Pediatric Dentistry         Children’s Learning Place         

Chop Shop         Guide Post Montessori         Rose Pest Solutions         The Moret Collection         

Wicker Park Lutheran         Zach Koran Group

SPECIAL ACTIVITY TABLES

Chicago Public Library –Bucktown-Wicker Park Branch         Ivy Star Face Painting         Park District Face Painting         

C.A.P.S. & 14th District Police         José “Che-Che” Turrubiartez Wilson         Eileen O’Neill Burke         F3 – Fitness-Fellowship – Faith

BARK-PALOOZA’S ACTIVITY AREA

BARK-Palooza Activity Area Sponsors, Table Presenters and Costume Parade Prize Donors

Canine Crews-BARK – Palooza Activity Area Sponsor

Pup Stars Pet Care/The K9 Cooridor-BARK – Palooza Activity Area Sponsor

Fetch! Pet Care of Central Chicago-BARK – Palooza Activity Area Sponsor

Zoom Room-BARK – Palooza Activity Area Sponsor

BARK-Palooza Activity Table Presenters and Costume Parade Prize Donors

Anything Is Pawzible           Bond Vet           Kriser’s Natural Pet           Pet Supplies Plus Wicker Park           

PUPS Pet Club           Treats De Cuisine           Western Wag

PLUS DAX Memorial Award from the Tylers – $100 Gift Card from Krisers

VOLUNTEER GROUPS – Thanks for Your Hard Work

Build ON           Costumers with a Cause           Curie High School           F3 – Fitness-Fellowship – Faith           

Josephinum Academy           Carl Schurz High School           Wicker Park Advisory Council           

Wicker Park Committee           Wicker Park Garden Club           

Friends of Wicker Park from All Over The City

Chris Gangi – Livin’ Live Management – MC, DJ, Sound Engineer

QUESTIONS/SUGGESTIONS – Contact WPAC@WickerPark.org