With autumn officially here, it’s time to celebrate with pumpkins, hayrides, and scarecrows. The Center in Palos Park kicks off the season with its annual Fall Festival at the Children’s Farm Sept. 26, a chance for kids and adults to spend an afternoon doing all that’s good about a fall day in the country.
The day includes horse and hayrack rides, tours of the animal barns, pumpkin painting and scarecrow-making. There will also be a craft fair, flea market and bake sale. Hot dogs and burgers will be sold, as well as drinks at the “root beer saloon.” The band Nite Life will perform during the festival.
“It’s sort of a country fair at the Children’s Farm,” said Lois Lauer, The Center’s program director.
This marks The Center’s 73rd Fall Festival. It began as and remains a fundraiser for The Center’s overall mission of offering nondenominational spiritual programs, art and farm experiences. The Center itself began in 1932.
“It has evolved, but the foundation remains,” Lauer said.
With that much history, Lauer considers the fall fest a “homecoming” of sorts for families who have been participating in Center events for years.
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Admission to the festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is $5 for adults and $2 for children. There are additional fees for some activities, such as pumpkin painting, scarecrow building, or for the carnival games.
A farm stand will sell gourds, pumpkins, cornstalks and other fall items, some of which came from the farm itself. Visitors will get a sneak peek at the pumpkin patch, and can pick and purchase their pumpkin that day. The patch officially opens for the season in October.
“It’s a big day,” Lauer said. Past festivals have drawn several thousand people, and more than 100 volunteers make it happen each year.
Once the festival is packed away, the Farm will be readying for its Pumpkin Days. A pick-your-own pumpkin patch runs daily in October with no admission. On weekends in October from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Pumpkin Playland will be open. The Playland, which is $8 for children 2 and older, includes the petting farm and barn tours, a straw bale climber, a Spooky Wood Shed, and a corn maze. Concessions are sold.
Paige Fumo Fox is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Fall Festival at The Children’s Farm
When: Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: The Children’s Farm at The Center, 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park
Tickets: Children, $2; Adults $5. Concessions sold and some activities are an additional small charge
Information: thecenterpalos.org or 708-361-3650