Although astronomers and the detail-minded will point out that the autumnal equinox, marking the official end of summer, does not occur until Sept. 22, most of the rest of us consider that fall arrives the day after Labor Day.
Like diligent squirrels, area park districts and chambers of commerce annually promote an early focus on the upcoming season — via a wide variety of harvest days, fall farmer’s markets and Bavaria-inspired Oktoberfests during the next several weeks. So, long before the arrival of autumn’s most notable holidays, Halloween and Thanksgiving, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get into the seasonal spirit.
Following are some of the upcoming local festivals:
– Celebrations begin this weekend with hayrides and duck races at the Barrington Park District’s 7th annual Harvest Market, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Young children will get the chance to participate in a creative craft workshop, and adults can enjoy a professional craft show and a farmer’s market. As for the ducks, they’re of the rubber variety. The “race” down the stream is a fundraiser for the Hospice of Northeastern Illinois. Admission to the Market at Langendorf Park, 235 Lions Drive, Barrington, is free.847-381-0687.
– Also this weekend, Park Ridge’s carnival-and-Oktoberfest combination kicks off. The aptly named Fall Fun Festival begins at 6 p.m. Friday and runs through Sunday. During the middle of the day Saturday and Sunday, organizers offer unlimited rides from noon to 5 p.m. for $9; Sunday evening from 5:30 to 9 p.m., enthusiastic thrill seekers can enjoy an all-you-can-spin “last blast” for $7. Adjacent to the carnival will be the first of many Chicago-area incarnations of the legendary German beer-and-brat fest, with music and dancing. At Devon and Cumberland Avenues. 847-696-3777.
– Apple enthusiasts can cider the day away Sept. 13 during Lincoln Square’s 13th annual Applefest, which showcases all things apple (and a few other fruits and vegetables) from Illinois and Indiana farmers. The enigmatic “Miss Apple” is also expected to add to the frivolity. Live music, food and drink, and free balloons for the kids round out the day at Giddings Plaza, along the 4700 block of North Lincoln Avenue. Admission is free; call 773-728-3890.
– The bounty of 12 midwestern states’ late summer harvests can be enjoyed in Highland Park at the ninth annual Best of the Midwest Market on Sept. 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Spread across the lush lawn of Ravinia, more than 70 farmers and food professionals will display their wares for sample and sale at this juried event.
Everything from specialty meats to flavored mustards to chocolate cluster candy will be on hand, as will representatives from the Chicago Botanic Garden to answer questions about your own backyard bounty. Demonstrations and talks are planned throughout the day, including a seminar on how to dry and arrange flowers and herbs, and hands-on cooking classes for the kids. To keep you going, complimentary coffee will be served. Tickets to the festival are $8 in advance and $12 at the door, with children 10 and under admitted free. Ravinia is at Lake-Cook and Green Bay Roads in Highland Park. 847-266-5100.
– Need tips on seed saving or winterizing your garden? The Chicago Botanic Garden (deceptively located in Glencoe) hosts its own Garden Harvest Festival the following weekend, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 20 and 21, where you can learn, shop and eat. A gourmet farmer’s market will feature vendors who specialize in only one product, such as honey, vinegar, nuts or edible flowers. Additional activities include apple tastings and gourd crafting for all ages. Admission to the Botanic Garden is free (although parking costs $6 per car), but you might consider bringing along a non-perishable food donation which will accompany the Garden’s regular fresh-food contribution to the Chicago Food Depository. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake-Cook Rd., less than a mile east of U.S. Highway 41. 847-835-8288.
– Ray Bolger fans should be certain to flock to Libertyville’s 7th annual HarvestFest Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., where a scarecrow contest figures into the fun. Whether you dress up yourself, your pet or your favorite mannequin for the competition, you can also enjoy the hayrides, live music and craft displays throughout Cook Memorial Park. Children can listen in as members of the Literacy Council hold storytelling time from 11 to 11:30 a.m.; then they can play “guess the weight of the giant pumpkin.” The event is free; those who would like to donate a canned good for a local pantry will receive a small, two-pound pumpkin. In downtown Libertyville on Milwaukee Avenue between Church Street and Cook Avenue. 708-680-0336.
– A hands-on history lesson accompanies the seasonal activities at Blackberry Historical Farm Village’s annual Indian Summerfest, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 21. Beyond the carousel, games and pony rides (for children under 80 pounds), you can stroll through the Pioneer Cabin, constructed in 1840s style, for cooking demonstrations. The Farm’s heirloom gardens produce herbs and vegetables that had been grown there a century ago. Then there are the flax-to-linen demonstrations and the apple-cider pressings, providing even further glimpses into a simpler way of life from long ago. Kids may also participate in a corn-husking bee, with prizes given to the lucky two who find the only red ears of corn among the yellow. Indian Summerfest costs $7 for adults, $6 for children and seniors. The Farm is located at West Galena Boulevard and Barnes Road in Aurora. 630-892-1550.
– “Gemutlichkeit” is the buzzword for the weekend when one of Chicagoland’s oldest Oktoberfest observances kicks off Sept. 19 for a three-day celebration. In its 77th year, the German-American Fest will offically begin at 7 p.m. in Ravenswood and runs until midnight Friday and Saturday, concluding Sunday night at 11. Traditional German food and music means plenty of sauerkraut, bratwurst and accordions. Also, look for those dressed in the traditional dirndles and lederhosen, especially during the small parade Saturday afternoon at 3:30. The Bavarian affair happens at Lincoln, Leland and Western Avenues, right next to the Western “L” stop on the CTA’s Brown Line.
– From Old World to Olde Goods: Hunt for treasures in the west suburbs at the Fall Riverside Antique Faire, Sept. 20 and 21. More than 50 area dealers will set up shop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Centennial Park under the historic water tower. For good measure, the organizers are tossing in a small farmer’s market during the first day of the Faire. Admission is free, as is parking in downtown Riverside. 708-447-4425.
– Whistle your favorite work song while you waltz through the fifth annual Farm Heritage Show at the Lake County Museum Sept. 27-28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Examine the live demonstrations of traditional homestead crafts such as quilting, tatting and rug hooking, then learn about the outdoor chores such as threshing and baling. Locomotion is also prominently featured, with a steam- and gas-engine exhibit and a 2 p.m. parade of antique cars and tractors. One other unique happening will be the border collie show, with a trainer demonstrating how the sheep-herding collies respond to whistle and hand commands. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 kids ages 4-17; at Lakewood Forest Preserve, on Illinois Highway 176, east of Wauconda. 847-526-7878.
