Elgin ‘Nightmare’ brings smiles
By Mike Danahey mdanahey@stmedianetwork.com November 3, 2011 10:52AM
Updated: January 9, 2012 12:19PM
ELGIN — The city’s “Nightmare on Chicago Street” promotion last Saturday night was an apparent success.
At Wednesday evening’s city council sessions, Mayor Dave Kaptain complimented staff and residents behind the event. City Manager Sean Stegall said that preliminary numbers show more than $26,400 was brought in at the gate, with the city spending about $33,000 on the night’s festivities.
The costs included paying for two bands;, an appearance from Chicago TV horror movie host Svengoolie; Victoria Price, who is the daughter of macabre movie icon Vincent Price and who will be signing copies of a book about her dearly departed dad; and for extra police detail.
Given that admission was $7 (or $5 if purchased in advance from one of five participating nonprofits selling tickets), a crowd estimate would be more than 3,700 people for the outdoor event.
City special events and community engagement coordinator Barb Keselica thanked those who volunteered their time on the event, which posited that all but downtown Elgin had been taken over by zombies. Downtown merchants also were present Wednesday evening to praise the effort, which drew more customers to their businesses.
The city-sponsored fright fest was the brainchild of city special events and community engagement coordinator Barb Keselica; and Clint Borucki and Elizabeth Haney of Acme Design, a model and prop making business.
Acme created pumpkins and ghosts displayed on Highland Avenue for last year’s downtown Halloween-related events.
The action took place from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday on Chicago Street between Douglas Avenue and Villa Street, and event organizers have already started to plan for next year.
