Lace up your hiking boots and sharpen your focus; the “Great Orb Hunt 2026” will run September 10-30 at three exciting locations this fall.
In partnership with Fine Line Creative Arts Center, the Forest Preserve District is co-hosting the Great Orb Hunt for its fourth consecutive year. Immerse yourself in nature as you search high and low for your chance to find (and keep) a handcrafted glass or ceramic orb created by Fine Line artists.
Orbs will be hidden at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles, as well as the prairie path at Fine Line Creative Arts Center. The hunt will also return to the popular Burnidge Forest Preserve in Elgin.
A total of 150 orbs will be hidden in small batches at different times throughout the event. Orbs will be placed one to five feet off designated trails. To help participants locate orbs efficiently, the District has created maps that are available via social media. Orbs will not be hidden in areas marked in red, nor will they be placed in waterways or mowed areas.
Executive director Lynn Caldwell of Fine Line Creative Arts Center is looking forward to the event once more. “The Fine Line artists love making these orbs; they are thrilled when they see one of their orbs has been found,” Caldwell said. “If you find an orb, it is yours to keep. However, we kindly request that each finder keep only one orb. If you find additional orbs, please leave them in the wild for another seeker to find.”
Laurie Metanchuk, director of community engagement for the Forest Preserve District of Kane County agrees that the program is a wonderful opportunity for families, friends and individuals.
“Any time is a great time to explore the Kane County forest preserves, but the Great Orb Hunt adds an extra sense of adventure. It’s a fun way to discover new trails, enjoy time outdoors and maybe even take home a one-of-a-kind piece of art,” Metanchuk said.
“It’s inspiring to see so many people embracing the hunt — families making memories, friends exploring together, individuals on a walk, and lots of dog owners sharing the adventure with their four-legged companions. We look forward to seeing people outside, enjoying the preserves and taking part in this year’s Great Orb Hunt. We especially love seeing the photos they post, once they’ve found an orb,” she said.
All orbs are stamped and numbered. If you find an orb, please register it by scanning the QR code or by visiting www.fineline.org/pages/the-great-orb-hunt. For those who choose to share their findings on social media, tag us @FineLineCreativeArtsCenter and @forestpreserve.
Fine Line Creative Arts Center is at 37W570 Bolcum Rd., St. Charles and LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve is at 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles. Burnidge Forest Preserve is located at 14N035 Coombs Rd., Elgin. For more information, visit www.fineline.org or www.kaneforest.com.
—Forest Preserve District of Kane County