Upside Down Halloween Parade Returns to Washington Park as Community Center Project Advances
By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Washington Park ·
Mark your calendars, Washington Park residents! The beloved Upside Down Halloween Parade is returning to the neighborhood on Saturday, October 25th, from 12-2pm as part of Mayor Brandon Johnson's Fall Fest 2025. This free family-friendly event flips the traditional parade concept on its head, as costumed children and families BECOME the parade, walking past musical groups, dance performances, circus acrobats, sports mascots and more staged along the route.
In other neighborhood news, Sunshine Gospel Ministries is making significant progress on their planned three-story, $36.9 million community center in Washington Park. The project recently received a $5 million boost from the city to help construct the center, which will feature a café with a performance stage, gym with roller skating rink, fitness area, arts classrooms, recording studio, tech room, demonstration kitchen and lounges for young people and adults. The nonprofit expects to close on the land purchase by September 2025, with plans to build the 77,050-square-foot facility at 6016 S. King Drive. Programs and services will be free for the public, with fees only for event space rentals and fitness center access.
Whether you're looking for family Halloween fun or excited about new community resources coming to Washington Park, there's plenty to look forward to in our neighborhood. Want to get involved? Volunteer opportunities for the Upside Down Parade are available through Arts in the Dark, and community input sessions for the community center project will be announced soon.
Sources:
1. https://artsinthedark.com/upside-down-parade/
2. https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/07/washington-park-community-center-project-gets-5m-boost-from-city/
3. https://www.chicagoparent.com/events/upside-down-parade-at-washington-park/
4. https://www.chicagoconstructionnews.com/land-sale-will-support-new-washington-park-community-center/