The Wheaton Park District will host an adults-only evening at Memorial Park on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. The new event, called Memorial Park After Dark, pairs live entertainment and food trucks with a bourbon tasting at 225 Karlskoga Ave.
Admission is limited to guests 21 and older. General admission tickets cost $25 per person in advance or $30 on event day, according to a Wheaton Park District press release. An optional Spirit Trail Bourbon Tasting, hosted by Bourbon Belly Hospitality Group, adds $40 to the advance ticket or $50 at the door. Processing fees apply.
The entertainment lineup leans into the Halloween season. The park district listed "Ghouling Pianos," a mentalist, a silhouette artist, inflatable axe throwing, tarot card readings and interactive living history presentations by the DuPage County Historical Museum, which operates under the Wheaton Park District.
Food vendors Mustards Craft BBQ and All Belgium Waffles will be on-site. Concessions with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will also be available for purchase.
Lily Medina, assistant director of marketing for the Wheaton Park District, said in the Oct. 2 press release that the event reflects the district's push to build adult-focused programming in Wheaton. Medina said the park district and the DuPage County Historical Museum are partnering on the event with the goal of "establishing a signature fall tradition and a new autumn destination for residents and visitors alike."
The park district describes the evening as a lantern-lit experience blending local legends, atmospheric lighting and live performances. Shaw Local listed the event among its top weekend picks across the western suburbs.
Tickets are available at wheatonparkdistrict.com/afterdark.
