Triton College Event: Trunk-or-Treat in Space

Halloween festivities arrive early at Triton College with the Trunk-or-Treat in Space event. Scheduled for October 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., children will wear costumes and collect treats outside the Cernan Earth and Space Center, located at 2000 5th Ave. in River Grove. This free event does not require reservations.

Event Highlights

Approximately 15 cars, adorned with colorful decorations, will be parked in the Cernan Center’s lot. Children can gather candy and enjoy various giveaways. Tina Lilly, Triton College’s director of Business Services, explains, “The Alumni Association hosts and sponsors this event.” Initiated three years ago following a survey of Triton alumni, the event meets a demand for family-friendly, free activities.

We wanted to get a better sense of what they were looking for. — Tina Lilly

Trunk-or-treat events have gained popularity for their safety and entertainment value. Children move from car to car, collecting fun treats. Alumni participants contribute by bringing their cars and handing out goodies.

Planetarium Experience

The Cernan Center complements the treat-gathering with a Halloween-themed space show. As Lilly notes, “The trunk-or-treaters can enjoy a free 15- to 20-minute show inside.” The initiative to incorporate a planetarium experience attracted over 500 attendees in its initial years. Kris Kovach McCall, the center’s director, states, “We offer free 20-minute shows to introduce everyone to our Planetarium.”

These shows, developed by Planetarium educator Jordan Jubeck, mix humor, space concepts, and laser effects. Jubeck remarks, “We discuss Halloween as a celestial occasion and explore phenomena like the death of stars.”

The Planetarium welcomes all ages, appealing to both children and adults with its engaging science content.

Additional Offerings

Shows are available at 11:45 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1 p.m., and 1:30 p.m., providing visitors the chance to explore the exhibit hall and Star Store. On Trunk-or-Treat day, the store offers a 10 percent discount, making it ideal for holiday preparations.

The event proceeds regardless of weather conditions. In case of rain, activities move indoors.