Elmwood Park resident Melissa Windish said she wasn’t going to let temperatures above 90 degrees stop her from enjoying Elmwood Park’s Fall Fest.
Windish brought her daughter, Sophie, to the event.
“The kids can come out and decorate pumpkins, see animals and eat really good food,” she said. “There’s a good variety of things for the kids.”
The Elmwood Park Fall Fest was Sept. 22 through 24, on Diversey Avenue at Mills Park.
Windish, along with many others, said they were shocked that they were attending the Fall Fest with summer-like temperatures.
“It’s hot outside, but we welcome it,” Village Manager Paul Volpe said. “Once the sun goes down, we expect a big crowd.”
Volpe added that there were two distinct areas within the Fall Fest.
“There’s food for adults and [attractions] for the kids,” he said.
Activities for kids included pumpkin decorating, pony rides, face painting, a petting zoo and scarecrow building. Most of the activities for children were free.
For adults, a beer garden was available, as well as 12 vendors from local eateries such as Clavio’s Eatery and Seph’s Sweets, according to Volpe.
Entertainment included performances by Kashmir, Mr. Myers and 7th Heaven, among others.
Windish said her daughter liked decorating pumpkins the most at the Fall Fest.
“I feel like this fest is the last hurrah for summer,” she said of the warm weather. “I just like watching the kids have fun.”
Among the many vendors was the Elmwood Park Fire Department, who sold chili and Italian ice to raise money for Camp “I Am Me.”
“Miller’s Ale House donated all of the chili,” Lt. Michael Terzo said. “Due to the heat, we decided to throw in Italian ice from Lezza.”
According to its website, Camp “I Am Me” is “a one-week camp for children and teenagers who have experienced injuries from burns.” Terzo said raising money for the camp accomplishes two things.
“We are making money for a good cause, and we are having fun while we’re off duty,” he said. “Everything we raise this weekend will go to the burn camp.”
Karina Dahlerus brought her two children, Ayanna and Andreas, to the Fall Fest.
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“This is pretty affordable for the adults,” she said. “However, it’s a little hot. I’m sure it’s never been this hot for pumpkin decorating.”
Dahlerus said she moved to Elmwood Park from Chicago, and she likes that Elmwood Park has different events for its residents.
“I like the town and the community,” she said. “It’s safe here.”
Dan and Megan Harris of Oak Park brought their daughter Harper to the Fall Fest.
“We were looking for something that was family-friendly,” Dan Harris said. “Even if we can’t control the weather, Harper still likes decorating pumpkins.”
Maryann Pisano is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.