Lake Katherine Nature Center celebrates fall Oak-tober Fest
Lake Katherine Nature Center’s event field was filled Saturday with children running and parents and grandparents trying to keep up as they scurried to the hay bales, scarecrow making and other activities.
Sophie Shukin, a naturalist at Lake Katherine, said the second annual Oak-tober Fest was all about getting people out in nature.
“We’re always trying to have nature themes in our events, so we thought last year of making an Oak-tober Fest for Oktoberfest,” Shukin said. “Today we’re giving away small oak trees, have scarecrow making, hayrides on the tractor around the lake, a beer tent, food, caricatures, just everything for a fun day.”
Shukin said she loved seeing people just getting out and enjoying nature on a beautiful, clear fall day.
“It’s just really important to be out in nature and learning about it, and I think this event is doing all of that.”
Jeff Novelli, of Frankfort, was dragging a 6-foot tall scarecrow out to his car so they could enjoy a hayride. His granddaughter,
Diem, 7, made the scarecrow, with a purple hat, scarf and shirt, and bright pink and purple pants.
“She doesn’t have a name yet,” Diem said of her creation. “But my
favorite part of today was making her.”
Novelli was also with his wife and youngest son.
“It’s a beautiful day. We made sure to get here early to walk around and do the scarecrow,” he said. “They provided all the clothes, hats, pins, straw, everything. And this thing is quite the sight. She’ll scare anything away.”
Roger Schweikert, of Palos Heights, was with his wife and two young daughters, Emerson, 5, and Mila, 4, who were busy throwing bags in a cornhole setup.
“It’s just great out here,” Schweikert said. “The sun’s out, the kids are having fun. They just did a great job of putting all this together. I look forward to coming next year as well.”
Over at the scarecrow making area, Liz Merrill, of Palos Hills, was busy trying to corral her young daughters and their two friends after the excitement of making a scarecrow. The children were fearlessly jumping from hay bales into piles of loose hay and running back to do it again.
“Making a scarecrow has been their favorite,” Merrill said. “It took maybe a half-hour to make it with the little ones since they enjoyed jumping in the hay more than making a scarecrow.”