The Mount Prospect Jaycees

By RICHARD MAYER Assistant Managing Editor

Safety and budgetary concerns were two main factors in canceling a pumpkin patch and maze in downtown Mt. Prospect planned by the Mt. Prospect Jaycees.

The patch and maze were supposed to be situated on a vacant lot next to the Founders Row homes on Emerson Street, across from the Mt. Prospect Library, Oct. 15-31.

“We were first and foremost concerned about the safety of the kids,” said Jaycees chapter senator Bob Tomasello. “We were more worried about the safety of the kids than making a dollar and being responsible is number one.”

Tomasello chalks up the cancellation as a learning experience.

“With a program like this, even though it didn’t come off, we learned from it and will grow from it,” said Tomasello.

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Everything is falling into place. The designs are set, the approval given, the money allocated. Soon, the only missing piece will be you!

The 1st Annual Haunted Maze is coming to Downtown Mount Prospect weekends October 15-31. If you are between 9 and 99, you can come experience the horror of getting lost in the maze with ghosts, goblins, and ghouls roaming every corner!

Plus, we will also be selling pumpkins on site. Take one home and carve your favorite design to decorate your home for Halloween!

We have a number of projects in the works. As we head into the later half of the year, here is what is in store:

• Jaycees Haunted Maze: We are working very hard to develop what we hope will be a recurring Halloween event in Mount Prospect.
• Karaoke: The Mount Prospect Jaycees and the Hoffman Estates Jaycees are teaming up for a fun night of karaoke.
• Turkey Trot: Our annual Thanksgiving Day race returns for yet another year! Registration forms will be available online.

We keep coming up with more community-related events and projects. If you are between the ages of 18 and 40, click Join Us to sign up!

We will be showing up at some fun summer activities this year!

> Fourth of the July Parade: Stop out and see us in the Mount Prospect 4th of July Parade on Monday, July 4th at 1pm. We will have music playing, candy, and our members walking along the route.

> Chamber of Commerce Block Party: We will be there July 23 from 4 to 10:30pm at the corner of Busse and Emerson near Village Hall. Stop by and find out about the Jaycees, meet the board, and see what kind of fun we have in store.

We have put forth a lot of effort to bring you the annual Carnival because we know you enjoy the games and rides we provide. Our previous home, Mount Prospect Plaza, had nicely asked us to find another location this year. After months of searching all throughout the Village and surrounding areas, we unfortunately were unable to secure a location this year, so our carnival has been canceled for this year.

But do not worry. We are working on plans for a fun, new summer/fall event. The Jaycees and summer will still go hand-in-hand.

We are working very hard to bring in some of our signature events such as the Memorial Day Weekend Carnival and Turkey Trot but keep checking back. We have more fun events and ideas we are working on for 2011.