There are many Autumn and harvest-oriented events available to participants. The following are a few:
Aurora
• Blackberry Farm Pumpkin Weekends, October 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, and 28. Pumpkin Weekends will have activities for kids such as pumpkin princess meet and greet, seasonal crafts, the Giant Corn Crib, storytellers, world’s tallest scarecrow, trick-or-treating, and pony parade. 100 S. Barnes Road. For more information call 630.897.0516 or visit www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.
• Harvest of the Acorn Moon Festival, Sunday, Sept. 30, noon to 3 p.m.. Oakhurst Forest Preserve, 1680 Fifth Avenue. The free festivities will include pumpkin-painting, games, guided hikes, nature crafts, and folk music at the Oakhurst Forest Preserve, 1680 Fifth Avenue.
• Abbey Farms Pumpkin Daze, through October 27. There will be a variety of activities for all ages, including adult pedal go-karts, Movies on Saturday, and Kane County’s largest corn maze. 850 Butterfield Road. For more information visit abbeyfarms.org/pumpkin-daze.
Downers Grove
• Downers Grove Harvest Fest, Saturday, Sept. 29, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.. The free family-friendly event will include live musical entertainment, children’s activities, a craft fair, a bags tournament, a pie-eating contest, and food trucks at Fishel Park at 1036 Grove Street.
Elmhurst
• Family Fall Fest, Sat, Oct. 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Elmhurst Park District’s Family Fall Fest will be at Wild Meadows Trace Park, 511 S. York Street. Everyone can dress up in Halloween costumes and enjoy trick-or-treating and a haunted house maze, face-painting, pumpkin pitch, and food trucks.
Hinsdale
• Hinsdale Family Fall Festival, Saturday, Oct. 20, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.. The free day of fun will include pumpkin-decorating, entertainment, carnival games, and inflatables at the The Community House, 415 W Eighth Street. Trick or treating will be available in the downtown business district from noon to 3 p.m..
Naperville
• Fall Family Hayrides, October 5-27. Hayrides can be taken in the crisp Autumn air through Knoch Knolls or Seager Park. Picnic tables will be provided, but please bring chairs and blankets. To register visit napervilleparks.org. Each child over the age of three and adult must register.
Oswego
• Annual Pumpkin Races, Saturday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. The Oswegoland Optimist Club will be host to its annual Pumpkin Races. There are two divisions: Kids Division, entry fee is three canned goods; and the Business Division, entry fee is $25. Registration will open at 10 a.m., and races will begin at noon, at the corner of Main Street and Jackson, in downtown Oswego. For more information visit www.oswegooptimists.com.
St. Charles
• St. Charles Scarecrow Fest, October 5-7. The Scarecrow Contest, has boasted more than 100 hand-crafted scarecrows. There will be live entertainment, a huge arts and crafts show, carnival, petting zoo, and food in Downtown St. Charles. For more information visit www.scarecrowfest.com.
Wheaton
• Hayride Tour of Cantigny, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 10 a.m. to noon. Rides will start and end at the Cantigny Visitor Center. Rides are complimentary. Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road. For more information visit Cantigny.org.
• Wheaton Fall Festival, Saturday, Oct. 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. The Fall Festival will be held at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road and there will be a variety of activities to enjoy, including craft show, hay rides, pumpkin decorating, inflatables, petting zoo, and live music.
Yorkville
• Yorktober Fest and Pumpkin Pull, Saturday, Oct. 13, noon to 11 p.m.. There will be hayrides, pumpkin-decorating, live music, and great food at Riverfront Park, 131 E. Hydraulic Avenue. Hundreds of pumpkins will float down the Fox River at 5 p.m. and everyone will have a chance to win prizes. For more information send to recreation@yorkville.il.us.