The autumnal equinox arrives Sept. 22, but fall fun has already begun.
Fall festivals will set the scene for a new season with apple pie and chili contests, scarecrow building, s’mores around campfires, hayrides and the like.
The following is a chronological list of events starting this weekend.
Oak Lawn Fall on the Green
The Village of Oak Lawn’s annual Fall on the Green will be Friday to Sunday at 95th Street and Cook Avenue.
There will be music in the beer tent and on the main stage, arts and crafts vendors, a business expo, inflatables, a climbing wall and Eurobungy.
Call 708-636-4400 or go to www.oaklawn-il.gov
Fall Fest at Goodenow Grove
The Forest Preserve District of Will County’s annual Fall Fest will be from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve, located on Dutton Road, north of Goodenow Road, in Crete Township.
The free event will feature s’mores around a campfire, slacklining, archery, sheepherding demonstrations, farm animals, music, pumpkin painting, pumpkin-carving demonstrations, scarecrow contest, hay wagon rides, honeybee and other nature exhibits inside Plum Creek Nature Center, crafts and more hands-on activities.
Riveredge Nature Center from Saukville, Wis., will provide accessible, guided tree-climbing sessions for ages 7 and older on a first-come, first-served basis.
Food and plants will be available for purchase.
Call 708-946-2216 or 815-727-8700 or go to www.reconnectwithnature.org
Crete Harvest Fest
Food and craft vendors, music, beer, a corn hole contest, inflatables and kids’ activities will be offered at the annual Crete Harvest Fest from 5 to 11 p.m. Sept. 16 and 11 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sept. 17 at the Crete Park District, 515 First St.
Call 708-672-6969 or go to www.cretepark.com
Palos Park Autumn in the Park
Apple pie, chili and BBQ contests and beer, wine and food vendors will be featured at the Village of Palos Park’s Autumn in the Park.
The annual event will be held from 5 to 10:30 p.m. Sept. 16 and 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Village Green on 123rd Street.
The parade will step off at 11 a.m. Sept. 17 and travel along 123rd Street from 82nd to 90th avenues.
The fest also will have a scarecrow contest, bungee trampoline, climbing wall, dunk tank, petting zoo, Tot Town for ages 5 and under and televised college football.
Bands include Hi Infidelity, Cadillac Dave & His Chicago Red Hots and 7th Heaven.
Call 708-671-3700 or go to www.autumnintheparkfestival.org
Homewood Fall Fest
The 15th annual Fall Fest from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 17 on Martin Avenue from Hickory to Ridge Road in Homewood will have horse-drawn wagon rides, chili and scarecrow contests, a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, pony rides, Mr. D’s Magic Show and music by Ralph’s World, Work in Progress and Latin Satin Soul.
“Hotel Transylvania 2” will be screened outdoors at dusk.
Call 708-798-3000 or go to www.homesweethomewood.com
Peotone Historical Society Fall Fest
Step back in time Sept. 18 with old-time shoe- and broom-making demonstrations, reenactments by DuPage Valley Settlers and more at the Peotone Historical Society’s Fall Fest at 427 W. Corning Ave. in Peotone.
Call 708-328-4072 or go to www.peotonehistoricalsociety.org
Frankfort Family Fall Campfire
Roast marshmallows, drink hot chocolate, play field games, take a hayride and listen to ghost stories at the annual Family Fall Campfire from 6:30 to 8 p.m. p.m. Sept. 23 at Commissioners Park, 22108 S. 80th Ave. in Frankfort.
Tickets are $5 per child and free for adults. Registration is required by Sept. 20.
Call 815-469-9400 or go to www.frankfortparks.org
Fall Festival at the Children’s Farm
The 74th annual Fall Festival at the Children’s Farm will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 24 at The Center, 12700 Southwest Hwy. in Palos Park.
The county fair-style event will have games, pumpkin painting, horse rides, scarecrow making, tours, hayrack rides, music, craft and flea market vendors and a farmer’s market. The pumpkin patch also will be open.
Concessions include grilled hamburgers and hot dogs.
Admission is $6, $3 for kids.
Call 708-361-3650 or go to www.thecenterpalos.org
Lansing Autumn Fest
Lansing Autumn Fest will be Oct. 7 to 9 at Fox Pointe at Ridge Road and Henry Street as well as at Park Plaza and Winterhoff Park.
The fifth annual event will have a chili cook-off, tailgate party, carnival games, pumpkin decorating, inflatables, kids’ games and music by RockZilla, Hillbilly Rockstarz, Dick Diamond & the Dusters, Happy Wanderers and Gone 2 Paradise.
Call 708-832-4584 or go to www.lansingautumnfest.org
Vickie Jurkowski is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
