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Oak Park Boo Bash reverses 'no clown' costume policy in wake of pushback

Posted at 6:30 PM, Oct 23, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-23 18:30:22-04

The city of Oak Park is walking back a clown ban at their Boo Bash 2018. 

They will no longer target clown costumes, and instead say all costumes that are scary or in "bad taste" will be scrutinized, and some may not be allowed in. 

Every year, thousands pour into the city’s community center for some safe family fun on Halloween. Last year, the event pulled in 6,500 people. 

This year, officials initially said, for the first time, that clown costumes were not allowed in response to feedback from parents who said their kids had anxieties about evil looking clowns. 

Parents who spoke with 7 Action News said they’d be okay with barring the costume. The reaction comes just a few years after some frightening incidents nationally of people dressing up as clowns and scaring others, in some cases assaulting them. 

But today, the city said it would stand down on a blanket ban after getting some pushback from individuals and a clown association who called it unfair. 

Today, the city is simply asking that people use their best judgment when picking a costume, bearing in mind that children will be in attendance.  

If you’re interested in attending Boo Bash 2018. It's on Oct. 31, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Oak Park Community Center.