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
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