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player ready...Storyteller Mark Kater knows a lot about autumn and he is willing to pass it on. At a HARVEST FESTIVAL he will describe the ways Native Americans could predict whether the winter would be mild or harsh, how the Irish carved scary faces in potatoes and set bonfires to keep away those who rose from the dead on Halloween, and how a warrior conquered his fear of the dark by finding a way to bring light to the night sky. Children at the festival can make an easy version of a corn husk doll or a more challenging one, and families can join forces to build scarecrows, which they can take home if there is room in the car. Harvest Festival, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd., free; 312-744-5472.
— Nancy Maes
Kids know about Darth Vader and Dracula and Cruella De Vil, but now they can also make the acquaintance of the ancestors of these evil creatures. Jeff Mishur, a professor of art history at Lewis University in Romeoville, will make the introductions when he gives an interactive slide presentation that will show how artists of the past have depicted monsters of all kinds. He will also explain why we love to hate them. Kids will come away from the event with an art project that will let them make their own monster when they get home. “The Art of Monsters: Vampires, Gargoyles, Creatures of Myth, Devils and More,” 4 p.m. Sunday, Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Rd., Lake Forest, $7, for ages 6-13; 847-234-6060, call to register.
— Nancy Maes
Jump on the trail to history and fun set in the beautiful surroundings of Glacial Park. McHenry County Conservation District will host the “11th Annual Trail of History” Saturday and Sunday. Interpreters dressed in period clothes will portray settlers who lived between 1670 and 1850 in the Northwest Territory, which encompassed Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio. This fun and educational living history reenactment will feature interpreters from across the country demonstrating settlers’ trades and crafts. This year’s theme is “Celebrating the Nippersink: River of Memories, River of Hope” and focuses on how the Nippersink shaped the relationship between nature, people and cultural development. Kids will love seeing demonstrations of lacemaking, candlemaking, basket weaving, blacksmithing and corn grinding. Souvenirs and authentic culinary treats available for a fee. “11th Annual Trail of History,” 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Glacial Park, 6512 Harts Rd., Ringwood, $4 adults, $1 senior adults and children age 6 to 12, 5 and under free; 815-479-5779.
— Stephanie Price
Have a spooktacular time during “Blackberry’s Haunted Farms” Thursday. Presented by the Fox Valley Park District, this Halloween program includes a haunted train ride around the lake, a haunted hayride, a spookhouse, children’s games, a bonfire with stories and more. For all ages. “Blackberry’s Haunted Farms,” 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Blackberry Farm, Galena and Barnes Roads, Aurora, $5; 630-264-7405.
— Stephanie Price
Celebrate Halloween early at the Mokena Community Park District’s 19th annual Halloween Hollow Saturday. A costume parade lines up at 10 a.m., with prizes awarded for all age groups from preschoolers through 8th graders. A mile-long Haunted Trail expresses the spirit of the season in spooky scenes, and other sights include award-winning jack-o’-lantern and scarecrow designs. Trick-or-treaters can get a bag of goodies at the Treat Barn, and families can go to the Scarecrow Sculpture Pit to create a life-size scarecrow to take home. Other events include hayrides, pony rides, face painting and live entertainment. Food includes Polish sausage, sloppy joes, beef sandwiches, chicken nuggets, pizza or cheese fries. Halloween Hollow, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Mokena Main Park, 10925 LaPorte Rd., Mokena, admission $2 per car; 708-479-1020.
— Pat Harper