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⚠️ Please Note: This article was published in 2024. Visit our Events Calendar to view current upcoming events.
Article by Elena Ferrarin
Communications Coordinator
Northbrook Park District
Always a smashing hit among families, Autumnfest, the Northbrook Park District’s free fall festival, is returning this year with an extended format.
This Northbrook favorite will take place from 1-5pm on Saturday, October 5 at Meadowhill Park, adding an extra hour of “fall-tastic” fun for children and adults. The event’s presenting sponsor is Northbrook Bank & Trust opens in new tab and gold level sponsors include Jeremy Lew and Associates, Inc. opens in new tab, Northbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry opens in new tab and Russian School of Mathematics opens in new tab.
“Autumnfest is such a wonderful event that we all look forward to,” Recreation Manager Nancy Eschker said. “With cooler weather and beautiful fall colors, it always manages to be a fantastic day. We love offering fun entertainment, games and activities that the whole community can enjoy, including my favorite, pumpkin chucking!”
The day’s activities at Meadowhill Park will include a pumpkin patch (one per child, please), toasted marshmallows by a bonfire, a horse-drawn trolley, a petting zoo, bouncy houses and DJ entertainment.
Children ages 10 and under can enjoy these field games, with ribbons for the winners:
1-2pm • Sack races
2-3pm • Three-legged races
3-4pm • Egg races
4-5pm • Tug-O-War
Activities also will take place at the Ed Rudolph Velodrome, adjacent to the park, including a drum circle and pumpkin chucking. Families can visit a special “OAKtober” table set up by the park district, which will offer sample leaves and acorns, a chart of oak trees in Illinois, an acorn float demonstration and acorn-related giveaways. The month of October is Oak Awareness Month in Illinois.
The Landmark Inn Bar & Grille opens in new tab will sell cider and spiked cider (for adults only) throughout the day. The park district will sell taffy apples. Unless the day is unseasonably cold, Kona Ice opens in new tab will sell shaved ice in a variety of flavors.
The horse trolley will be provided by Sunshine Farm II, located in Caledonia, Illinois. The green trolley, which is wheelchair accessible, will be drawn by two draft horses and will carry groups of 25 to 35 people around the park.
“We call it ‘the people mover.’ People really like the horse-drawn wagon, instead of a tractor pulling,” said owner Jeff Gould, who runs the farm with his wife. “We’ve been to Autumnfest multiple times in the past. It’s a very good event, you get everybody coming out to it.”
The entertainment will be provided by Energy Productions opens in new tab, whose DJ Deadpool will play top 40 pop hits and throwbacks that everyone loves. An MC and two dancers will entertain the crowd with interactive games, including the crowd-pleaser Hip Hop Hula Hoop Contest.
“Our staff looks forward to the Autumnfest every year,” said Amadea Christian, office manager for Energy Productions. “Even some of our family members come out to enjoy this beautiful occasion as it really is a wonderful time for everyone. We love watching kids run from activity to activity, smiling from ear to ear, and we love seeing the beautiful memories made between family and friends.
Before the main Autumnfest event, a sold out special sensory friendly hour will occur from 11:30am to 12:30pm to children and adults who enjoy a quieter, calmer experience. For more information, call (847) 291-2993.