Festivals celebrate fall with caution

54 years residents and staff at DuPage Care Center in Wheaton have celebrated fall with a community festival.

After last year’s event went virtual because of the COVID shutdown, the 2021 DuPage Care Center Fall Festival will be back live this year, with some restrictions — along with a number of fall festivals in the Chicago region. Below is a sample of the outdoor festivals inviting visitors to celebrate the harvest season before the cold of winter comes.

DuPage Fall Festival

At DuPage Care Center’s annual Fall Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, just about anyone is invited to get in on the fun, including vendors selling their wares and volunteer musical groups performing. Admisison is free.

“It’s a huge event,” says Susan Coblentz, manager of recreation therapy at the Care Center. “It just brings us together.”

Held on the grounds of the Care Center at 400 N., County Farm Road, Wheaton, one of the biggest attractions of the one-day festival is the raffle, which will feature at least two homemade quilts this year. The raffle alone brings in $9,000 to $10,000, and the event as a whole $23,000 to $30,000, depending on attendance.

The money goes to benefit the DuPage Care Center Foundation and the center’s Recreation Fund. Without the fundraising, residents of the long-term care facility would not be able to enjoy some of the recreational activities they have now since most are on Medicaid, Coblentz says.

The event will display the artwork residents created that helped them get through the shutdown and will have a documentary on these creations. Other attractions include kids’ games, DuPage County vehicles on display and a garage sale. A family member of a resident will sell cake slices and apple butter. Staff members will again bake their apple slices using a special recipe. “They’re sold out by noon,” Coblentz says.

All visitors are encouraged to be vaccinated. Residents normally mingle with guests, but a separate event may be held for residents this year depending on COVID conditions at the time.

For more information, see dupageco.org/care_center/fallfestival.

Apple Festival

The Long Grove Apple Festival invites visitors to celebrate one of autumn’s favorite fruits in the picturesque downtown.

“We pride ourselves in offering a great end of summer event that helps us transition to our fall and winter activities,” says Ryan Messner, a member of the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association, organizer of the event.

Now in its 30th year, the Apple Festival will be held from noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24 and Sept. 25, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, in the Stempel parking lot, 308 McHenry Road, Long Grove. Admission is $5.

The apple treats visitors come to savor include caramel apples, apple wine, sangria, hard apple cider, apple doughnuts and apple pie.

Because of concerns about COVID, the popular apple pie eating contest will not be held this year. The event will be entirely outdoors and socially distanced.

For more information, see longgrove.org/festivals/apple-fest.

Oktoberfest

Visitors to Naper Settlement’s Oktoberfest will celebrate the fall season with a weekend of polka and rock music, traditional German cuisine and Oktoberfest beer varieties, themed contests, and activities for adults and children. The event was canceled last year because of COVID.

“After a year off, we are ready for the return of Oktoberfest and cannot wait for the community to come together again to celebrate with us,” says Adison Glick, special events team leader for Naper Settlement.

The 11th annual Oktoberfest will take place 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at the outdoor living history village, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville.

The music lineup on Friday features Ed Wagner’s Lustige Blaskapelle at 5:30 p.m. and the Polkaholics at 8 p.m. On Saturday, The Happy Warriors perform at 12:30 p.m., Alpine Thunder at 3 p.m., Freeze Dried at 5:30 p.m., and Brass from the Past at 8 p.m. A children’s area with activities for the whole family will be set up on Saturday.

Estimated attendance is 3,800, but may have to be reduced depending on COVID restrictions at the time. Anyone over age 2 who has not been fully vaccinated will be required to wear a face mask.

Tickets, now on sale, are $15 for adults, $10 for youth ages 4 to 12, and free for members and children under 4. For more information, see napersettlement.org.

Scarecrow Festival

About 100 artistic scarecrows will greet visitors in downtown St. Charles during the town’s 36th annual Scarecrow Festival. Visitors can vote on their three favorites at the festival that will take place from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct 10. Admission is free.

Local businesses offer festival-related window displays, deals, specials and events. A Family Zone in Lincoln Park will include a professional pumpkin carver performing on Saturday and Sunday, a giant bubble artist and live music. A craft show will be held Saturday and Sunday in Pottawatomie Park, and photo ops will be available at the event.

Families who want to create their own scarecrow can purchase a Scarecrow in a Box on Riverside Avenue. Each box contains panty hose, twine, straw, an outfit and directions how to build a scarecrow.

The scarecrows placement around town were one of the changes that occurred last year when the festival was reworked to allow extra spacing. That increased distancing will be employed this year as well. For more information, see scarecrowfest.com.

Cantigny Fall Festival

Visitors can enjoy a host of family activities along with fall foliage and beautiful gardens on the sprawling grounds at the Cantigny Fall Festival at Cantigny Park, 1s151 Winfield Road, Wheaton.

Cancelled last year because of COVID, this year’s event will take place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9. All fest events are outdoors. Parking is $5, and nominal fees are charged for some activities.

Festival goers can look for the scarecrows in the gardens and enjoy live music by Second Hand Soul Band from noon to 4 p.m. Other entertainment includes a giant juggling scarecrow, comedy juggling show and strolling entertainers.

Vendors and crafters will sell their wares, plants will be available for purchase, and a Children’s Book Fair will be held.

Activities for families include hay rides, pumpkin decorating and crafts, petting zoo and inflatables. Fest goers can purchase refreshments from food trucks. For more information, visit cantigny.org/event/fall-festival.

Check festival websites for the latest updates on events and for information on COVID-19 restrictions and requirements.