Fall brings pumpkin painting, hayrides and wine tastings
Fall festivals offer something for everyone, from shopping to crafts to line dancing at a harvest hoedown.
■ Fall Festival at the Farm — The Children’s Farm, 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park; 708361-3650; www.thecenterpalos.org
Have a “country fair day” on a working farm at The Center’s Children’s Farm from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Events include pumpkin painting, horse rides, scarecrow making, hayrack rides, visits with farm animals and music. Craft booths and flea market vendors join a farmers market. Admission is $3 for children and $6 for adults. Grilled food and concessions will be sold. ■ 11th annual Round Barn Farm Wine Festival — Round Barn, 24115 S. U.S. Route 52, Manhattan; 815-478-3324; www.manhattanparkdistrict.com Worldwide wines will be showcased from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Eight wine tastings include a souvenir glass, and will be an expanded number of food vendors, including Parmesans Wood Stone Pizza. Johnny Russler & the Beach Bum Band will provide live entertainment. The event is open to adults 21 and older. Tastings end at 9:30 p.m. Cash only; wine and beer sales end at 8:30 p.m. There will be a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $25 at the door.
■ Harvest Hoedown — Crescent Park, 9705 W. 142nd St., Orland Park; 708-403-7275; www.orland -park.il.us
The event for adults 21 and older will be from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday. The City BBQ restaurant will provide supper, and a dessert bar and saloon with craft brews will complement the meal. Two tickets for alcohol drinks (wine and beer) and nonalcohol beverages and food are part of the admission fee. Line dance instruction will be available to music provided by the Suburban Cowboys. Try a game of horseshoes, lassoing a “steer” or some other country-inspired challenge. Tickets are $45 ($35 for residents). Event is outdoors, rain or shine, and limited to 300. No refunds. Registration is encouraged.
■ September Night Hike — Thorn Creek Nature Center Preserve, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest; 708-747-6320; www.tc woods.org
Enjoy the beauty of a fall night in Thorn Creek Woods from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Guests 16 and older can explore “just after the equinox” as the seasons begin to change. Dress for a 2.5-mile or longer walk over uneven terrain. The event is free. Registration is required by Sunday. ■ Joni Bishop: Art Exhibit and Concert — Cultural Center, 14760 Park Lane, Orland Park; 708-4037275; www.orland-park.il.us The Orland Park Arts Commission will host artist and musician Joni Bishop on Sunday. Bishop is a 20-year resident of Nashville, Tenn., and is known for her music, art and handmade instruments. There will be an exhibit of Bishop’s artwork at 2 p.m., and Bishop will perform at 4 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students, available online and at the Sportsplex office, 11351 W. 159th St., and the Recreation Administration office, 14600 Ravinia Ave.
■ Round Barn Farm Fest Craft Fair — Round Barn Farm, 24115 S. U.S. Route 52, Manhattan; 815478-3324; www.manhattanpark district.com
The fair runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 28 and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 29. Three bands and DJ Wallace will provide music and entertainment. Old-fashioned fall fun includes a corn maze, hay wagon rides, a pie-eating contest
and bags tournament. Also, try your luck on the mechanical bull. Craft vendors will display their wares for sale both days. Food, beer and wine will be sold. Admission is free but some activities may require a wristband.
■ 17th annual Homewood Fall Fest — Martin Avenue from Hickory Street to Ridge Road, Homewood; 708-798-3000; www. HomeSweetHomewood.com
Celebrate from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 29. Live music throughout the day and evening includes Ayodele Drum and Dance, The Spaniels Forever, Eric Lambert’s Americana and Bumpus. Register to participate in the annual Chili Cook-Off or the scarecrow decorating contest. Other activities include horse-drawn wagon rides, magician Steve Belliveau, an outdoor viewing of “Coco” and PopUp Science “Take Flight!” Local food vendors and artisans will participate. Free admission and parking.
■ Girls Just Want to Have Fun – Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago; 773-445-3838; www.beverlyartcenter.org
Make it girls’ night out at the Beverly Arts Center’s tribute to 1980s glam, dance and totally rad music. Lisa Rock and Sari Greenberg will entertain at 8 p.m. Sept. 29 in the Baffes Theatre. A groove party from 6 to 8 p.m. includes a 1980s costume contest, shopping, photo ops and cocktails. Tickets are $25 or $23 for Beverly Arts Center members.
■ Chapel Hill Gardens South Funeral Home & Cemetery Family Fall Festival — 11333 S. Central Ave., Oak Lawn; 708-636-1200; www.dignitymemorial.com/ funeral-homes/oak-lawn
Free activities from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 6 include hayrides, a pumpkin patch, pony rides, petting zoo and face painting. There will be food, a raffle, a bake sale and craft show.
One of the last outdoor fall events from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 26. Entry is $10 per person and includes hayrides, pumpkin painting, treats and songs around the campfire. Registration and payment must be made in person or by mail by Oct. 22.
■ Get In, Get Art: Get Spooky — Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago; 773-445-3838; www.beverlyartcenter.org
Kids can wear Halloween costumes from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 28. There will be a haunted theater, crafts, treats and games. Admission is free. Ginger Brashinger is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.