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The Annual Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago is just around the corner, and we’re here to help you find the best ways to view the parade up close and personal. We’re covering some details on this year’s performances, when to arrive for both VIP and free access, and how to secure the best spots for viewing.  This year’s 89th annual procession will be making its way North up state street from Ida B. Well Drive to Randolph Street from 8AM through 11AM CT, with your hosts Jen Lilley and Jesse Hutch. more Special staged appearances this year are scheduled in the main stage area between Washington and Randolph Streets from 8AM to 9AM.   The classic beloved Helium balloons are also returning for this year’s parade, with familiar favorites returning such as Cheer Bear, The Grinch, Kermit, Garfield, and more, as well as new friends, too!  This year, the live stage performances include American Blues Theater, avery r. young - Poet Laureate of Chicago, 16 high school and university marching bands, country artist Reyna Roberts and Country Artist and Actor Tayler Holder.  And of course, as always, dear ol’ Saint Nick will be bringing up the end, to mark the start of the Holiday Season. You can catch the parade from the comfort of your own couch on its new home of CW26 hosted by Jen Lilley and Jesse Hutch, but VIP tickets are available for a close-up look at the fun for just $70 per person VIPs will have private portable restrooms and general admission bleacher seats for maximum comfort;  VIP opens at 7AM, and it’s recommended to arrive no later than 7:30!  Otherwise, the parade is free to attend, but it should be noted that it may not be the most accessible for disabled attendees due to high crowds, lots of walking and standing for three hours or more  in order to view.  People begin lining the streets starting around 6AM, and many bring folding chairs and blankets to keep warm. Dress in layers, wearing plenty of warm winter weather attire,and consider wearing lip balm and moisturizer to prevent your face and lips from becoming chapped in the cold!  Expect long lines for exiting at 11AM, and plan your afternoon accordingly. Public transit and local area hotels/restaurants will be very busy! Veteran parade viewers recommend sending out a few adult representatives from your group to go on up ahead and save space so younger family members can take a little extra time to walk and meet them.  After the parade, you can stop over to the Christkindl Holiday Market at Daley Plaza at 50 W Washington Street, which will be open on Thanksgiving day from 11AM to 4PM. Looking for a direct live stream of the parade to watch at home from your laptop or tablet? You can check out this Official Live Stream of the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade for free streaming on PlutoTV a nd live on TV via The CW26. If you miss the live broadcast, you can catch the CAN TV replay on Sunday 11/26, Wednesday 11/29, and Saturday 12/2. ​​

Today is Japanese Culture Day, and since we love all things cars, we thought it would be a great time to highlight the incredible car culture of Japan! It’s no secret that the Japanese car is an intensely passionate one, and often far exceeds the enthusiasm and gusto of other global car communities.  From rally racing to drifting to custom mods to tiny kei cars to transforming dekotora trucks, you’ll find no shortage of zeal for all things cars! more With roots in the bōsōzoku movement that originated in the 80s, modern gearhead groups of Japan have grown and cultivated a truly spectacular custom automotive culture.  What once was dominated by domestic Japanese cars has now expanded into European and American cars, and features not just new vehicles but also vintage, rare, and collectible vehicles as well. Let’s take a look at some of the coolest features of the JDM subculture car enthusiast community! The term JDM means “Japanese Domestic Market'' referring to anything and everything made in Japan and exclusively for the local Japanese sales market. JDM culture originated in the 1950s/1960s as post WWII Japan began to rebuild its economy. Now, it’s become a global sensation! Japan is the 2nd biggest car-manufacturing company in the world, with China taking the lead by almost 3x the output volume. Many cars on the Japanese car scene are referred to by their model numbers or chassis, instead of their brand names. Kei cars are the smallest, most compact street-legal passenger vehicles allowed for purchase in Japan; these vehicles are shorter than 3.4 meters with a max height of 2 meters and a max width of 1.48 meters, must have an engine of no more than .66 liters, and are limited to 64hp. Dekotora trucks are heavily modified semi-trucks featuring dazzling light displays, custom murals, wild body kits, outrageously tack interiors, and over the top themed visuals.  They often look like real-life replicas of the Autobots from Transformers! The Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association has imposed a horsepower limit on all future JDM cars and Japanese-built vehicles since 1989; the vehicles are restricted to 111.8mph or 276HP. JDM cars can only be exported to other countries if their age has exceeded 25 years, so if you’re on the market for one of these rare collectibles you’ll have to be patient!  Want to learn more about how to get started collecting? Try this link to JDM Export’s Top 10 Starters. The art of drifting, which involves intentionally oversteering a car and forcing the rear wheels to skid sideways, originated in the winding mountain roadways and expanded into an organized sport with specialized tracks and world-class events.  Thanks in part to Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, the sport expanded its fanbase to a more global market, and helped popularize a rise in participation as well as JDM car culture overall. The Tokyo Auto Salon is an annual automotive event and show held each January at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba City.  It specifically showcases the best of the best  in performance and custom parts and tech, and is one of the top motor shows for modified and tuner vehicles. It features more than 1,000 cars and 4,000 both vendors to shop at. (This event is different from t he Tokyo Motor Show, which is a bi-annual event for automotive manufacturers to showcase their “street legal” vehicles.) Let’s take a look at some of these incredible features on Japanese Car Culture and JDM vehicles from Youtube:

The holiday season is just beginning, and we’re all about spending time with the people we love in our community. November’s community calendar of events for the Lake County and Waukegan area has lots of gatherings and get-togethers to enjoy with friends and loved ones!  You’ll find plenty of opportunities to get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping, too, with local vendor events and artisan markets. The Kohl Children’s Pop-Up Museum is now in full swing at the College of Lake County now through December 2nd. The Lake County Film Festival is back this year from November 3rd through the 5th and November 10th through 12th at the College of Lake County in Grayslake! more On Friday November 3rd, the Village of Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center is hosting the Celebracion Dia de los Muertos with folkloric dancers, traditional ofrendas, and childrens crafts events! There’s a wonderful Community Crochet Party happening from 6:30 to 8:30PM at The Maple on Washington Street in Waukegan on Friday, November 3rd. Mainstreet of Libertyville is bringing back the fun with their First Fridays Downtown event starting at 3PM on November 3rd. Shop, dine, and play in the downtown area with a festive evening of entertainment and special events. The performers in our midst will love attending the First Friday Open Mic with Low-reen at ZumBier in Waukegan! On Saturday, November 4th from 6PM to 9PM at NIRCO, come on out for an evening of discussion, live entertainment, personal storytelling, and a Q&A during LGBTQ+ educational night called “Spillin’ Da Tea” On Saturday, November 4th at 5PM, Lakehurst Events in Waukegan is hosting Noche de Catrinas for Dia de los Muertos with free entry for all ages! C ome enjoy an evening of learning about beautiful cultural traditions and have some tasty food, too. November 4th and 5th is the Semi-Annual Book Sale at the Grayslake Library from 1PM to 4PM. November 4th at the Wine and Spirit Warehouse of Libertyville is the Thanksgiving Tasting and sale from 1PM to 4PM. Come on out and enjoy a free in-store event sampling all of this season’s hottest wines for the holidays. The Artisan Guild French Market Boutique is coming to town November 4th and 5th at the CROYA/Lake Forest Recreation Center from 10AM to 4PM. On November 4th, 5th, 12th, 18th,19th, Long Grove is hosting “Weekend Wonders” and new classes at the Center for the Gifted. Inquisitive kids can enjoy math, creativity, and imaginative workshops of their choosing for $50-$55. On November 10th, enjoy Family Art Night at the Hunt Club Aquatic Center in Gurnee from 5PM to 7PM, with pizza, salad, and cookies provided to attendees! In honor of Veterans day, head over to Mellody Farm Nature Preserve from 9AM to 12PM to celebrate National Take a Hike Day and “Take a Hike to Honor Our Veterans: with co-host Access Ability Wisconsin. Goldfish Swim School of Mundelein is hosting a Friendsgiving Family Swim event from 7PM to 8:30PM for a Family Night out! November 18th and 19th in Island Lake is the 35th Annual Holiday Craft Fair at Island Lake Village Hall from 10AM to 4PM. Enjoying your first year as Thanksgiving host/hostess?  Then you’ll need this Turkey Carving 101 workshops from The Joyful Gourmet in Libertyville from 1:30 to 3:30 on November 18th. November 24th through the 26th at the Lake County Fairgrounds, bring your whole family out for fun at the Festival of Arts and Crafts and get your holiday shopping kickstarted!  More than 300 exhibitors will be showcasing their wares and goods for you to enjoy. The Fox Lake Kris Kringle Winter Market is back again for a winter wonderland gift shop experience on Saturday November 25th from 2PM to 5PM. This year’s Hawthorn Woods Holiday craft fair is happening on Saturday November 25th from 10AM to 3PM at Hawthorn Woods Village Hall.

Let’s talk about stress and driving. more We’ve all been there before: stuck in a traffic jam with no end in sight when you’ve got a million places to be, errands to run, and not enough time to get it all done with lengthy waits. You feel anxious, antsy, frustrated, and more than a little overwhelmed.  And then of course there's the factor of life in a post pandemic lockdown world; people are having to relearn how to be a defensive driver all over again after so many years of “WFH Life!”  Coupling those ‘back to the grind” adjustments with the average commuter frustrations and roadway hazards, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.  In these moments, it can be easy to let the stress overtake you and give in to a case of Road Rage, but the better path to take is a little in-car stress management. It can be hard to get back into the swing of things and return to our defensive driving habits; there’s a lot to get used to again as you return to your usual commute and contend with other drivers, but let’s make an effort to work together to reduce our driving stress and keep the roads a safer place as we practice courteous, conscious driving habits. Since today is National Stress Awareness day, we’re shedding some light on ways you can destress and refocus your energy to help you drive safely, stay calm on the road, and prevent stress related accidents.  Let’s see if we can’t collectively reduce the anxiety for the 66% of Americans who experience driving anxiety on the regular with these healthy habits.  Utilizing these mindful driving techniques may even reduce your cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure, which have been shown to elevate during times of stressful driving!  What’s not to love about that? Improve your Mental Health and reduce driving stress with these pointers: Make sure you have something to eat and are properly hydrated before you hit the road. It’s no surprise that so many of us report feeling “hangry" when we’re not properly fed, and making sure that you have an adequate meal or at least a snack before commuting can reduce your stress levels significantly.  Keeping a small stash of shelf stable snacks and small water bottles in your car easily within reach can also help stave off the grumpy feelings when your tummy is grumbling behind the wheel. Practice mindful breathing techniques at home and in the office before you hit the road. Setting an intent to practice deep, conscious breathing exercises can make it easier to employ the techniques when you’re on the road.  Focus on calm, controlled breaths by inhaling slowly through your nose, and exhaling slowly through your mouth.   If you find yourself caught up in a moment of frustration with another driver, do some deep breathing for a slow count of 5 in and out breaths.  You’ll notice very quickly how your nervous system responds favorably, releasing tension from your nerves and muscles, and relaxing your body. Always make sure to build in an extra 15 to 20 minutes buffer time into your trips. Whether you’re commuting to work or school, on your way to a leisure activity, or even a doctor's appointment, having that extra time to play with can really reduce your stress. Instead of panicking about tardiness, you know you’ll have plenty of time to account for unexpected delays such as traffic, accidents, or other roadway hazards. This buffer of time will also allow you to notify employers or other parties with enough time for them to accommodate your delay should any occur. Adhere to posted traffic rules and speed limits to reduce tension. Keeping to posted traffic speeds and obeying road signs can reduce our tension, increase our focus on the changing traffic patterns, and allows plenty of time to stop short to prevent accidents.  You’re not qualifying for a NASCAR race, so there’s no need to try to “beat the clock” and go over the speed limit. Practice mindful driving and focus solely on the road, avoiding distractions inside the vehicle. It’s okay to sing along to the music on your car stereo if that makes you happy, but be sure to stay focused enough on the cars and environment around you.  Distracted driving can cause significant accidents and increase stress due to unawareness.  We all know the dangers of texting and driving can increase accident risk even more than drunk driving.So let’s do our part to reduce stress and anxiety by keeping our eyes on the road and off of our phones, devices, and infotainment screens. Switch up your usual commuting routine by alternating your drive with other methods of transportation. Break up the monotony and stress of the daily drive by opting in for public transportation such as bus, rail, ride-shares, or even bicycling if your commute allows for it.  Taking a break from the daily hustle and bustle routine of highways and byways can make a world of difference for your mental health.  The shake up in our normal routine can give us something fresh and new to focus on.  Utilizing mass public transit options can even provide us a little relief from having to be focused on the commute and instead enjoy some relaxing hobbies while someone else takes the wheel.

If you’re looking for something fun to do this Halloweekend, we’ve got just the thing to lift your seasonal spirits!  We’ve taken the hard work out of finding fun activities whether it be Trick or Treating, Halloween Parades, or just a general scary good time.  Here’s our picks of great local activities to do for adults, families, and even pets! more The Second Annual Halloween at the Mansion Event is taking place from 5PM to 10PM at the Lehmann Mansion in Lake Villa. On Saturday, October 28th starting from 10AM to 12PM, head over to McHenry for The Bremer Team of Keller Williams Success Realty’s sponsored Halloween Dog Photoshoot event! Bring your pup in their Halloween finest and enter them in a mini costume contest and win a free doggy photoshoot. On Saturday, October 28th in Lake Zurich, head over to the Lake Zurich Family Martial Arts storefront for the Dojo Party Halloween Haunted Dojo event from 4PM to 8PM On Saturday, October 28th in Lake Forest, families will enjoy the Elawa Farm’s Hallowene Spoktacular event from 3PM to 8PM with scavenger hunts, story telling, food and drink, face painting, and much more! The Highland Park Golf Learning Center is hosting “Scary Halloween Miniature Golf” from 9AM to 7PM on the 28th. Visitors who arrive in costume will receive a discount off their round! LakeHouse Restaurant of Lake Villa is bringing back its 4th Annual Halloween Car Truck and Bike Show from 9AM to 2PM. Come on down for a scary good time looking at vintage and collectible vehicles. Rain date is Sunday, October 29th. Enjoy a hands-on Halloween baking class for kids aged 6 and up and their families at the Halloween Cupcake Party at Taste Buds Kitchen in Bannockburn from 1:30PM to 3:30PM. Waukegan’s own town wide Trick or Treat event will be taking place on Sunday October 29th from 2Pm to 5PM! On Sunday, October 29th, come out to Save-A-Pet from 1PM to 5PM Trick or Treat event on Main Street in Wauconda. This kid-friendly event will have live entertainment, a bouncy obstacle course, food and shopping, and even a pet costume contest.  Plus you can bring your own carved pumpkin and enter it into the pumpkin patch to win a prize. More info here! On Tuesday, October 31st between 11AM and 1:30PM, enjoy  the Halloween Pet Paw-Rade at the Vernon Hills Hawthorn Mall.  This family friendly day also includes a trick-or-treat event for humans. All pet-owners who participate in the parade will receive a collapsible silicone dog-bowl and a special treat. More information here! On Tuesday, October 31st, stop by the tasting room at Lynfred Winery in Highland Park to add a special Halloween Candy Pairing option to any tasting flight for just $3. The Lake County Film Festival is hosting a special secret screening from 8PM to 10:30PM on Halloween Night! The 13th annual film festival will be from November 3rd through 5th and 10th through the 12th, but you can catch a sneak peek ahead of time if you dare.

We’re getting in the Halloween spirit this weekend by celebrating Frankenstein Friday!  Check out our picks for amazing Frankenstein’s Monster themed car decor and accessories, some amazing Frankenstein audiobooks, and other monstrously fun stuff. more Amazing Audiobooks for Your Next Big Drive We’re loving this version of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein narrated by Dan Stevens of Downton Abbey which was an Audie Award Finalist twice over in 2013 for both the Solo Narration (Male) and Classics categories.  It’s a classic tale of man versus monster, human nature and our desire for relationships, the duality of man, and of course, life and death. If you loved Frankenstein, then you’ll want to add “The Resurrectionist” to your queue next! This mysterious tale will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow along with 19th century Scottish surgeon Edgar Price, as his fictional tale pulls in realistic elements from the true story of the Burke and Hare murders. It’s a dark, otherworldly fantasy tale perfect for autumnal drives. The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White is a unique reimagining of the classic dark tale that would make Mary Shelley proud! It’s complicated, layered, thoughtful, and fascinatingly grotesque, giving a new perspective to the unreliable narrator of Victor Frankenstein in the original. Spooky Fun Frankenstein’s Monster Themed Car Accessories We’re loving this super fun wiper blade accessory for some budget friendly seasonal car decor!  Share your love of horror novels and horror movies with this waving WiperTag decal Frankenstein Edition. We love these magnetic bumper stickers for a bit of temporary fun without damaging your vehicle’s paint finish! Snag a set of Bride of Frankenstein car magnets and bedeck your car out in these classic horror movie icons. A matching set of his and hers seat covers featuring Frankenstein’s Monster and Bride of Frankenstein are just what the mad doctor ordered to protect your car from the elements, pet hair, dust and dirt and grime, and keep your vehicle’s upholstery like new. Never lose your keys again with these frighteningly cool accessories featuring a neon skull, the iconic zap of electricity, and the big green man himself. We found this electrifyingly interesting anti-slip steering wheel cover with vintage universal movie monster and Frankenstein design combo.

It’s National Pumpkin Day! Did you know that in 2022, Illinois harvested more than 2x as many pumpkin acres as any of the other leading states (California, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Virginia)?  Our home state cultivated a whopping 17,600 acres of pumpkins, and Illinois farms grow an average of 37,500 pounds of pumpkins per acre, predominantly made up of “pie varieties” for pumpkin puree and similar products.  Plus, the self-proclaimed pumpkin capital of the world is located in Morton, Illinois, home of the Libby Company who makes the ever popular canned pumpkin you see in the store.  Pretty impressive, don’t ya think? more Kids choosing fresh pumpkins on a family farm Here’s some more fun pumpkin facts to impress your pals on the way to the local patch: Pumpkins are actually considered a fruit, much like cucumbers, tomatoes, and avocados, since they grow from the flowers of their plants. Atlantic Giants are the largest species of pumpkin, growing as much as 50 pounds every day! Every single part of the pumpkin plant from the stem to flower to seeds to fruit are totally edible! Pumpkins take an average of 90 days to 120 days to grow. Each pumpkin has about 500 seeds apiece. There are more than 45 different varieties of pumpkin. Pumpkins are made of about 90% water. And what a treat it is to be in the reigning pumpkin state, what with Halloween just around the corner and all.  Let’s check out these great places to get your last minute carving pumpkins and do a little early turkey day prepping! Local Illinois and Wisconsin Pumpkin Picking Spots: Taste of Eden Market in Waukegan Kroll's Harvest Farm in Waukegan Lewis Farm Market in Waukegan All Seasons Orchard in Woodstock Wheaton Nurseries and Garden Center in Wheaton Sugar Grove Pumpkin Farm and Produce in Sugar Grove Patch 22 in Wadsworth Heinz Orchard in Green Oaks Silts Vegetable Farm and Greenhouse in Pleasant Prairie Richardson Farms in Spring Grove Thompson Farm in Bristol Jerry Smith Pumpkin Farm in Kenosha Stade's Farm and Market in McHenry

It’s 2023, and we’ve grown to love a myriad of technological advancements that just a few decades ago would’ve seemed nearly impossible: computers right in our pockets, video chatting someone all the way across the globe, streaming new movies right to our home TV screens.  Everything from the phone in your pocket to the case that protects it, to the car that you drive and the roads they’re built on, to the clothes you’re wearing at work in the buildings you work in, each of these items was designed, engineered, and created by someone with creative vision. more Today, we’re celebrating International Artists Day and paying homage to the bright minds of the past, present, and future who help pave the way for global success.  We’re going to look at some of the wonderful ways we can express ourselves, communicate visually and auditorily, and learn about the history of generations before us through visits to Museums, Galleries, hands-on workshops, and more! Why Should You Support The Arts? Artists and the arts are an integral part of society, helping us frame the world in creative ways so we can better understand humanity.   Our society does not exist without creativity and ingenuity provided by exploring the arts.  By enjoying freedom of self expression, we are encouraging people to think outside the box and create a sustainable life.  In fact, creativity is one of the top skills desired by employers, and in the top five skills sought out during candidate searches. According to Americans for the Arts, 72% of Americans believe that the arts unify our communities, regardless of demographics, and likewise 73% also agree that the arts help them understand other cultures better.  Engaging in the arts has been proven to enhance positive social impact through arts programming, grant funded opportunities, higher civic engagement, increased educational opportunities, support for military and medical personnel and caregivers in healthcare settings, and so much more. The arts also improve mental health and well-being, with 81% saying the arts provide a positive experience while living in unprecedented times and “a troubled world.  Additionally, the arts also drive significant tourism to our communities and improve local businesses and support the economy. As you can see, there’s a plethora of incredible opportunities thanks to arts involvement, and they’re a fundamental part of our world. By celebrating art in all forms: painting, sculpture, photography, design, architecture, music, writing, and more, we’re able to continue to grow as a society and build a brighter tomorrow!  Thanks to the ingenuity of forward thinking innovators, rebellious revolutionaries, and artistic creativity of boundary pushers, we’ve created a comfortable, convenient “life of the future.” Galleries and Museums to Visit just a short drive from Classic! Lake County: Robert T Wright Comm Gallery in Grayslake, IL Blue Moon Gallery in Grayslake, IL Jack Benny Center in Waukegan, IL Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County in Libertyville, IL The African American Museum at the England Manor in Waukegan, IL Artpie Studio, Gallery and Art School in Waukegan Wisconsin: Kenosha Public Museum in Kenosha, WI Lemon Street Gallery in Kenosha, WI Re:Vision Gallery & Artist Studios in Kenosha, WI Left of the Lake Gallery in Kenosha, WI Anderson Arts Center in Kenosha, WI Kenosha Art Association in Kenosha, WI Chicago: Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, IL National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago, IL DePaul Art Museum in Chicago, IL Design Museum of Chicago in Chicago, IL WNDR Museum in Chicago, IL The Art Institute of Chicago Kavi Gupta Gallery | Washington Blvd in Chicago, IL Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago, IL Addington Gallery in Chicago, IL Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago, IL National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, IL Smart Museum of Art in Chicago, IL Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago, IL Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art in Chicago, IL ECHT Gallery in Chicago, IL The Richard Driehaus Museum in Chicago, IL Art Classes and Workshops Art Classes and Programs for the Community via Waukegan Parks District Perkowitz Art Studio in Grayslake: Art classes and paint & sips Dandelion Gallery & Studio in Waukegan: art classes and paint & sips Deer Path Art League in Lake Forest: Summer camp, art workshops, art classes Patterson Glassworks in Mundelein: traditional glassblowing, hands-on art classes The Chicago Mosaic school in Chicago: workshops, group events, art classes, non-profit programming Susie Speck Teaching Artist: Paint & Sips, Art classes College of Lake County Community Outreach and Visual Arts: youth workshops, adult workshops

We’re gearing up for Halloween with an incredible road trip guide to the most spirited roadside attractions and haunted destinations in Illinois and Wisconsin! ILLINOIS more Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville, IL (345 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) This is a historic site once home to an ancient Native American village, and it is rumored to be home to a host of spirits of the Natives who used to reside here. There have been reports of orbs, strange shadows, and balls of floating light. Greenwood Cemetery in Decatur, IL (221 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) Visitors to the site have reported hearing screams and strange lights from inside some of the mausoleums.  Visitors report seeing apparitions of confederate prisoners in tattered uniforms wandering in a daze.  You might even come across The Greenwood Bride, a lonely figure in a wedding gown searching for her beloved! Peoria State Hospital Museum and Cemetery in Peoria, IL (199 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) The grounds are the former sight of a mental health institution, and also home to four different cemeteries.   Some paranormal investigators have reported tastes of blood in their mouths, or smelling the pine scent used in cough syrups for ill patients. There have been sightings of patients walking through walls, echoes of footsteps, banging on the walls, and pushing or shoving of the investigators. Peoria Public Downtown Library in Peoria (196 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) Legend has it that this library was built on cursed grounds!  Mrs. Andrew Gray lived in the house in the 1830s, and when faced with financial ruin, she allegedly cursed the grounds for future owners and residents.  The house was demolished and the library was erected in its stead in 1894.  Shockingly, the first three directors of the library died under quite mysterious circumstances!  Staff in the new building have reported feeling cold drafts, seeing apparitions of former directors lurking in doorways, and even whispering their name amidst the stacks. Bloods Point Cemetery in Belvidere, I L (88 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) This graveyard was founded in 1935, and is famed for sightings of a nefarious woman buried on site named Beaula who murdered all of her children and now haunts the grounds for eternity.  Visitors have also reported the site has a very off putting stench. Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery in Midlothian, IL (70 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) It was originally named the Everden Cemetery after the original property owner Conrintha Everden, who bought the land in 1835.  There have been many reports of spooky phenomena such as floating orbs, strange lights, and even sightings of a phantom car!  If you are brave you may even witness a farmer with his horse, a white cloaked spirit of a woman with her infant, and a woman sitting atop a tombstone. The Englewood Post Office and H. H. Holmes (~62 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) This modest post office branch sits on the site once home to serial killer H.H. Holmes and his infamous “Murder Castle”  Postal workers at this location have reported hauntings throughout the building.  The basement area especially is noted to fill visitors and employees with an intense fear of dread, and it is advised any tasks in that room be quick and timely to avoid anxiety. The Chicago River and the SS Eastland ( 45 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) In 1915 the SS Eastland passenger ship was docked along the Chicago River when it suddenly capsized.  Sadly, 844 people lost their lives in the incident.  Visitors to the area and patrons of local restaurants have reported looking out from the windows or down from the Clark Street Bridge and seeing the ghostly faces or bodies of people in the water reaching for help. The Couch Tomb in Lincoln Park Chicago ( 45 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) Lincoln Park sits on the former grounds of City Cemetery, with the Couch Tomb the only remaining tomb surviving the Great Fire of 1871.  The tomb was sealed for decades, leaving many to speculate what may lie buried there.  In 1998, a team of workers and researchers opened the tomb and discovered around 80 bodies entombed within!  Visitors have reported seeing and hearing strange apparitions and experiencing strange occurrences in Lincoln Park and near this tomb. Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, IL (41 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) From “The Eternal Silence” statue of a hooded cloaked monk to the isolated grave of Daniel Burnham to the imposing architecture of The Palmer Mausoleum, there is no shortage of haunts here!  You might hear cries of disembodied voices, or be overcome with an overwhelming sense of dread, or notice the eerie stillness and silence and cold spots. WISCONSIN Maribel Caves in Maribel, WI (184 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) The grounds are the former site of the Maribel Caves Hotel aka Cherner Hotel, a site known for its wonderful activities and fine amenities, but which sadly burnt down to the ground with its guests still inside.  The hotel has had its fair share of notorious visitors from famed living gangsters and mobsters like John Dillinger to the spectral figure of the former owner’s ghost. Karsten Hotel in Kewaunee, WI (170 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) If you’re interested in strange spectral encounters, then this is the hotspot (or cold spot…) that ghost hunters like you are just dying to experience!  In fact, it’s so haunted that the owners have fully embraced the paranormal experience and accept it.  It has been in operation since 1912 and is home to at least three very active specters.  Stay for the night, if you can make it that long... Fork in the Road Mukwonago, WI (60 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) We thought it might be nice to include a restaurant stop off on our trip, and what better than a haunted one!  Visitors to this establishment have reported seeing foggy apparitions out back, heard ghostly footsteps in the halls, and even heard the echoes of pool cues hitting pool balls and rolling across the floor. Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, WI (50 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) If you’re looking to take a break on your spooky road trip, why not spend the night here if you dare!  Spirits here are said to appear in your room and interfere with your television or radio. You may even hear a pounding or knocking on the walls at night, jangling your nerves and your wits.  Many MLB players refuse to stay in the hotel due to disturbances, yikes! Brumder Mansion Bed and Breakfast in Milwaukee, WI (51 Miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) If you prefer an even more frightening lodging experience, try this terrifying B&B.  Guests have reported disturbing nightmares, apparitions floating in the halls and in and out of rooms, and it’s even been said that blood was found in a bathtub that no one had been using.  Guests have been reporting hauntings in this four story building for nearly 100 years. You can read the reports and then decide from there, if you dare! Kemper Hall in Kenosha, WI (18 miles from Classic Kia and Classic Toyota) Once used as a boarding school for young ladies it is now a recreation center, this is considered one of the most haunted destinations in Wisconsin!  Rumor has it that the grounds are haunted by the ghost of a headless nun who died when several students cornered her and shoved her down a stairway.  Some visitors have also reported apparitions of nuns peeking out of the windows. If you have been to any of these creepy locations and have a story to tell, let us know! We’d love to hear all about it in a comment! Have a safe and happy halloween!

We’re loving this chilly fall weather and early autumnal nights. It has us feeling the Halloween spirit to the fullest!  Those whistling winds, whispering trees, and crunching leaves make us think about things that go bump in the night. For today’s blog, we thought we’d enjoy some seasonal scares and thrills with a selection of wonderful walking ghost tours and haunted sightseeing in Wisconsin and Illinois.  If you’ve been to any of the places on our list, let us know in the comments! more The Shakers Ghost Tour 2.0 is a grittier, spicier, and much longer tour than the Shakers Original Ghost Tour.  You’ll experience a hands-on ghost tour in one of the most haunted bars, along with a history lesson, decades worth of scandal and drama, and a chance to use some good ol’ fashioned divining rods. The Ghosts of Madison is a fully immersive tour of Madison, Wisconsin’s most haunted locations: The Capitol Building, Majestic Theatre, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s house amongst them.  This 2 hour walking tour serves up some seriously scary historic tales and true tidbits, along with tall tales and legends of local lore and cryptids. The Lake Geneva Ghost Tour i s a unique way to explore the city of Milwaukee. Your knowledgeable haunt guide will give you a new perspective of the city as you walk around Lake Geneva, spinning tall tales and frightening true stories of the local hauntings.  Groups are kept to 9 people maximum, providing a uniquely intimate setting. The Dells Trolley Haunted Tour explores the darker side of the Dells, revealing hidden secrets, dark mysteries, and terrifying truths about the nearby haunted locations.  You’ll go orb hunting, ghost spotting with EVPs and meters, tour a haunted cemetery, and so much more…if you dare! American Ghost Walks: Waukesha Ghost Walks Edition is an exhilarating two hour tour featuring stories of murder, mystery, curses, spiritualism, and even an exorcism!  Learn about what the locals have seen and heard (a UFO?!) and hear about the weird, wild, and gross tales of the area. Be forewarned, it is not for the faint of heart as some of the stories and legends can get pretty scary and gory! American Ghost Walks: Aurora Ghost Walks Edition takes you through the most interesting local haunts and ghost stories in Aurora!  You’ll hear about mysteries as far back as 1881, when the city got the nickname “The City of Cemeteries” due to a high volume of graveyards.  You’ll lear about the first burials in Mount Olivet Cemetery, listen for the alerts on your EMF detectors, and stand in the spot of some truly chilling events. American Ghost Walks: Woodstock Ghost Walks Edition will send you back in time to learn the real story behind Woodstock’s most famous spirits, recounts stories and information about local UFO sightings, hear strange but true tales from locals who lived there, and so much more. The Bayfield Ghost Walk provides a haunted history of the area.  Learn about recent and past paranormal events and sightings, haunted pubs and grocery stores, and all manner of mysterious bumps in the night.  This 90 minute tour runs nightly through October 31st. Weird Chicago Tours offer multiple themed excursions throughout the metropolitan area!  Choose from tours such as “Devil & the White City  Tour” exploring H.H. Holmes and his infamous Murder Castle, or the “Haunted HIstory Tour” which provides a first-hand look at some of the city’s most terrifying sights, or even the True Crime and Mystery tour which takes a grisly look at the murders and crimes that have shaped the darker side of Chicago’s history.

We’re loving this chilly fall weather and early autumnal nights. It has us feeling the Halloween spirit to the fullest!  Those whistling winds, whispering trees, and crunching leaves make us think about things that go bump in the night. For today’s blog, we thought we’d enjoy some seasonal scares and thrills with a selection of wonderful walking ghost tours and haunted sightseeing in Wisconsin and Illinois.  If you’ve been to any of the places on our list, let us know in the comments! more The Shakers Ghost Tour 2.0 is a grittier, spicier, and much longer tour than the Shakers Original Ghost Tour.  You’ll experience a hands-on ghost tour in one of the most haunted bars, along with a history lesson, decades worth of scandal and drama, and a chance to use some good ol’ fashioned divining rods. The Ghosts of Madison is a fully immersive tour of Madison, Wisconsin’s most haunted locations: The Capitol Building, Majestic Theatre, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s house amongst them.  This 2 hour walking tour serves up some seriously scary historic tales and true tidbits, along with tall tales and legends of local lore and cryptids. The Lake Geneva Ghost Tour i s a unique way to explore the city of Milwaukee. Your knowledgeable haunt guide will give you a new perspective of the city as you walk around Lake Geneva, spinning tall tales and frightening true stories of the local hauntings.  Groups are kept to 9 people maximum, providing a uniquely intimate setting. The Dells Trolley Haunted Tour explores the darker side of the Dells, revealing hidden secrets, dark mysteries, and terrifying truths about the nearby haunted locations.  You’ll go orb hunting, ghost spotting with EVPs and meters, tour a haunted cemetery, and so much more…if you dare! American Ghost Walks: Waukesha Ghost Walks Edition is an exhilarating two hour tour featuring stories of murder, mystery, curses, spiritualism, and even an exorcism!  Learn about what the locals have seen and heard (a UFO?!) and hear about the weird, wild, and gross tales of the area. Be forewarned, it is not for the faint of heart as some of the stories and legends can get pretty scary and gory! American Ghost Walks: Aurora Ghost Walks Edition takes you through the most interesting local haunts and ghost stories in Aurora!  You’ll hear about mysteries as far back as 1881, when the city got the nickname “The City of Cemeteries” due to a high volume of graveyards.  You’ll lear about the first burials in Mount Olivet Cemetery, listen for the alerts on your EMF detectors, and stand in the spot of some truly chilling events. American Ghost Walks: Woodstock Ghost Walks Edition will send you back in time to learn the real story behind Woodstock’s most famous spirits, recounts stories and information about local UFO sightings, hear strange but true tales from locals who lived there, and so much more. The Bayfield Ghost Walk provides a haunted history of the area.  Learn about recent and past paranormal events and sightings, haunted pubs and grocery stores, and all manner of mysterious bumps in the night.  This 90 minute tour runs nightly through October 31st. Weird Chicago Tours offer multiple themed excursions throughout the metropolitan area!  Choose from tours such as “Devil & the White City  Tour” exploring H.H. Holmes and his infamous Murder Castle, or the “Haunted HIstory Tour” which provides a first-hand look at some of the city’s most terrifying sights, or even the True Crime and Mystery tour which takes a grisly look at the murders and crimes that have shaped the darker side of Chicago’s history.

It’s National Ken Day, and we thought we’d pay tribute to this iconic name in pop culture history with a nod to the Barbie brand (and the Barbie movie.)  So for today’s post, we’re covering some fun gear and accessories to add a little Mojo Dojo Casa House energy to your ride.  Show the world your Kenergy with some car bling, personalized car mats, keychains, and more!  (And just when you think you’ve had Kenough, we’re throwing in some horse-themed items for a little extra pizazz.) more The party is always pumping when you hop into your own pink ride thanks to this cowboy themed disco ball charm for your rear view mirror from GlitzyGlitter on Etsy! Take a drive into Barbieland with your besties thanks to this Barbie and Ken inspired movie scene sunshade from SoniaCraftGifts on Etsy. Keep your car smelling Mint In Box with these charming “Car Freshies” from BlondeUnicornByTina on Etsy! Never lose your keys again thanks to these sparkling, flashy keychains!  Plenty of room for your Mojo Dojo Casa House Keys as well as your barbiemobile car keys, of course, thanks to this creative design from LynetteDesignAU. Another great set of keychains in two colors, this time with stars and sparkles and the other with stars and a bucking horse, perfect for your dream car keys from ThemeParkProps on Etsy. If you can’t laugh at yourself sometimes, where is the joy of living? We got quite a chuckle out of this goofy little sticker by UnMindShop on Etsy that says “This Barbie Hits Curbs.” Commute in style to work with your significant other by purchasing a set of these coordinating cabana  beach inspired travel tumblers from FinngerianDesign on Etsy. Protect your Barbiemobile from spills and gunk with these glittery, shiny plastic car coasters!  They’re too stylish to get messy, so we’re pretty sure they’re going to just repel germs. Grab ‘em from ChickCreates on Etsy! Share your love of the Barbie movie and it’s killer playlist with this fantastic bumper sticker from DogCasino on Etsy! If you’re disappointed to learn that the patriarchy is not, in fact, about horses, we’ve got a lovely consolation prize for you here with some horse themed car coasters by LittlehouseofResin on Etsy. (We’re also fairly certain that the patriarchy is not about messy cars either!) Protect your seats from all of the mess you have on your adventures to The Real World with these horse themed seat covers by WollFeat on Etsy. Channel that Kenergy with a pair of these gorgeous rustic, country western leather style horse car mats. Your dream gal will certainly be able to see the man behind the tan and right through to your heart, thanks to Westernstyle on Zazzle. You’ll be the President of Ken World with this 4 piece set of car floor mats for the front and rear of your car, never missing an inch of that interior to let your Kenergy shine! Available on Amazon. Let the world know you’re confident, strong, and that you are Kenough by slapping one of these fun stickers to your bumper or window from Zazzle.