Special Events

Scarecrow Building Contest

Scarecrow’s Due: October 9
Voting: October 13 – 29

Calling all families, scout groups, homeowners associations, and community organizations to come join the fun by participating in the annual Scarecrow Building Contest! Scarecrows will be displayed outside the Founders Community Center, so let your creative skills shine and construct an eye-catching entry. The cross sticks will be provided by the Park District and will be available for pick-up starting August 17. All entries are due by October 9. Voting will run from October 13-29 and will take place at the Founders Community Center office & on the Park District’s Facebook page.

Halloween Bash

Friday, October 16
5:30 – 8:00 pm
Founders Community Center, 140 Oak Street

$15/child (Pre-Register Required)

Join us for a family-friendly Halloween event at the Founders Center. There will be a DJ dance party, balloon artist, inflatables, spooky games, a hayride, kid crafts, a small pumpkin patch, and more. Don’t forget to wear your Halloween costume!

Registration Deadline: October 9 or until filled

Sponsored by:

Howl-A-Woof

Saturday, October 24
10:00 am – Gate will open at 9:50 am
Bark Park at Commissioners Park, 80th Ave. & Sauk Trail, northwest corner of Commissioners Park

FREE

Trick or Treat!!! Bring your dog all dressed up for this costume competition, bone yard hunt, and trick-or-treating event. Dogs will have the opportunity to “Trick or Treat” with the vendors at the Bark Park so remember to bring a bag to collect all their goodies. Dogs will also have a chance to enter the costume contest to be judged on Best Overall, Funniest, and Scariest. All friendly dogs are welcome at this FREE, on-leash event. An adult must accompany dog owners under the age of 12. While you are enjoying this event, please remember to pick up a membership packet for the
Bark Park.

Sponsored by:

33^rd Annual Holiday Craft Show

Saturday, November 7, 2026 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Located at the Founders Community Center: 140 Oak Street, Frankfort, IL 60423

Click here to download the 33rd Annual Holiday Craft Show Application

Candy Bar Bingo

Monday, November 23
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Founders Community Center, 140 Oak Street

4 – 13 years
FREE – Participant must bring full size candy – bar/bag (max 3)

Come join the fun with bingo games and sweet treats. Each participant must bring one full-size candy bar or bag of candy (e.g. Skittles, M&Ms) in exchange for one bingo card (maximum of 3 cards). Participants will play for chances to win the many candy bars in the pot for each round. Players will keep the same card throughout the entire event. Six to eight bingo games will be played. A maximum of 3 bingo cards per child.

Pre-registration is required.

Registration Deadline: November 18 or until filled

Letters to Santa

Due Date: Monday, December 1 by 4:00 pm
Park District Residents Only

Starting November 17, Santa’s mailbox will be displayed at the Founders Community Center. Santa will personally write to each family who writes him a letter, provided that all letters are received
by 4:00 pm on Tuesday, December 1. Santa can only send letters to children who include the following: the child’s full name, address, city, zip code, and of course, their wish list! Parents, please complete the checklist when sending the letter. Checklists will be available at the main office and on the Park District website. Please address letters to: Santa Claus, 25 Candy Cane Lane, North Pole (c/o Frankfort Park District, 140 Oak Street, Frankfort, IL 60423).

Please address letters to:
Santa Claus
25 Candy Cane Lane, North Pole
(c/o Frankfort Park District, 140 Oak Street, Frankfort, IL 60423)

Santa Photos & Workshop

Saturday, December 5
Session I: 11:00 – 11:45 am
Session II: 12:00 – 12:45 pm
Founders Community Center, 140 Oak Street

All Ages
$13/NR $18 per child

Santa is making a special appearance at the Founders Community Center this holiday season. There will be crafts, holiday-themed games, cookie decorating, and a chance to visit with Santa. There are two time slots available; please specify the time you would like at the time of registration. Don’t forget your camera!

Registration Deadline: December 1 or until filled

The Polar Express Storytime Train

Sunday, December 6
# 1 Time: Train departs at 9:30 am sharp
# 2 Time: Train departs at 11:20 am sharp
Hickory Creek Metra Station
9430 Hickory Creek Drive, Mokena

All Ages
$25 Frankfort Park District Residents Only
$35 Non-Residents (if tickets are still available after resident registration)

ALL ABOARD…The Frankfort Park District would like to invite children and their parents to take this special train ride to the “North Pole”. On the way to the “North Pole,” Santa’s elves will be busy making balloon animals while you enjoy listening to the “Polar Express” story. When we reach the “North Pole”, we will find Santa Claus and bring him back with us on the train to the Hickory Creek Metra Station. Enjoy holiday cookies and music on our way home. A parent or guardian must accompany all the children. Due to the popularity of this event, a maximum of six tickets per household are available to purchase at the time of registration. See details below.

FRANKFORT PARK DISTRICT RESIDENTS ONLY

Frankfort Park District Boundary Resident Only Lottery Registration Special Registration forms will be accepted at the Founders Community Center office from October 28 – November 4. All forms are due by November 4 at 4:00 pm. Forms will be available on our website beginning October 28. All forms will be processed on November 5 and families will be notified by email. Tickets will be available for pick-up at the main office.

Holiday Cards For Seniors

Deadline: Tuesday, December 8
Drop off: Founders Community Center, 140 Oak Street

Holiday Cards for Seniors is a community project set up to bring some joy into the lives of those who are missing family and friends during this time of year. The Frankfort Park District is looking for anyone who would like to make cards, color pictures, or even write inside storebought cards. The Park District staff would like to gather up cards and pictures by December 8 so they can be distributed to the facilities in our community. The staff would love to reach a goal of 500 cards, and if we can reach more, that would be amazing!

Puzzle Mania – Holiday Edition

Friday, December 11
6:00 – 9:00 pm
Founders Community Center, 140 Oak Street

Age: Family & Friends/All Ages
$30 per team

Looking for a fun evening with your family and friends before the holiday season? Put together a team of 4, wear your favorite holiday sweater, and register for Puzzle Mania, a jigsaw puzzle tournament. Teams will race against each other to finish the same puzzle. The puzzles will be 500 pieces for the competition. Bring snacks and enjoy an evening working together to solve the holiday-themed puzzle. Prizes will be given to the winning teams.

Registration Deadline: November 23 or until filled

New Year’s Countdown

Thursday, December 31
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Founders Community Center, 140 Oak Street

4 – 10 years
$15/NR $20

Kids, get ready to count down to 2027!!! Celebrate New Year’s Eve with dancing, party games, crafts, and ice cream. There will be a “Countdown to 2027” balloon drop at noon to celebrate the New Year! This is a drop-off event for kids.

Registration Deadline: December 23 or until filled