OCTOBER 2008
June - December 14
ON THE ROAD WITH THE ELLWOODS
Ellwood House Museum Visitors Center, 509 North First Street, DeKalb
A new special exhibit at the Ellwood House Museum Visitor Center. Come see the automobile in the life of an American family 1900-1940.
815-756-4609
www.ellwoodhouse.org

October 3
OSWEGORAMA - CELEBRATING 175 YEARS!
Downtown Oswego
Join us as we celebrate our past - the weekend will include a scarecrow contest, cake walk, antique appraisals, Civil War encampment, Voyager Canoe and Native American storytelling, KC Saloon, street dance, food, music, fireworks and much more.
630-554-3618

October 3
JOURNEY TO THE AMAZON
Court Street Methodist Church, 215 North Court Street, Rockford
Classical guitarist and Grammy Award winner Sharon Isbin will collaborate with Amazonian-born composer and multi-instrumentalist Thiago de Mello to take the audience on a fascinating musical voyae through the luxurious beauty of the Amazon.
815-964-9713
www.mendelssohnpac.org

October 3-5
ALL THINGS CHOCOLATE WEEKEND RETREAT
Mt. Carroll
Taste chocolates from all over the world, learn to cook gourmet recipes featuring chocolate and eat delicious food: This cooking class will be taught by Chef Donna Duvall.
866-240-1650 or contact@learngreatfoods.com
www.learngreatfoods.com

October 4
SUMMERFIELD FARM & ZOO EVENT
3088 Flora Road, Belvidere
Come to Summerfield Farm & Zoo for one of their open to the public events. Tour all the exotic animals including Kinkajous, Llamas, Parrots, Wallabies, Reindeer, Ring-Tailed Lemurs, Cougar, Camel, Hedgehogs, Servals, Bobcats, Tortoises and other animals from around the world. Open from 10am to 5pm on select days only. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. All proceeds go to the animals.
815-547-4852
www.summerfieldfarminc.com

October 4-5
AUTUMN AT THE ARBORETUM
Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Center, 2715 South Main Street, Rockford
Bring the entire family out for a day at our annual celebration of fall festival. Pumpkins, horse-drawn wagon rides, activities for the kids, scarecrows, cider and more.
815-965-8146
www.klehm.org

October 4-5
AUTUMN ON PARADE
Corner of Rt 64 & Rt 2, Oregon
Autumn is celebrated with enthusiasm in Oregon, Illinois at the annual Autumn on Parade (AOP) festival. Autumn on Parade features a Farmer's Market, with homemade items from over 100 vendors, plenty of live entertainment, a variety of food, and the ever popular Harvest Time Parade held on Sunday afternoon. Most of the activities and vendors will be found at the Ogle County Courthouse Square located at the corner of Ill. 64 and Ill. 2 in downtown Oregon.
815-732-3465
www.autumnonparade.org

October 4-5
PUMPKIN DAYS
Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, Union
It's a great time to experience autumn in the country. Join us at IRM to ride the trains and visit the pumpkin area to select just the right pumpkin to take home.
815-923-4000
www.irm.org

October 4-5
SCARECROW FEST
Meadowlands Farm, 13890 County Line Road, Newark
Come to Meadowlands Farm and enjoy the Scarecrow Festival. Farm activities include open market vendors and homemade food, in addition to a corn maze, wagon rides, pumpkin bowling and much more.
815-695-5821
www.meadowlandsfarm.com

October 4-5
TRACTORS FOR CHARITY
2509 Martin Road, McHenry
From 9am to 5pm. Adults $3, All children $1.
847-514-7082
www.tractorsforcharity.com

October 5, 12, 19, 26
HARVEST LUNCHES
Based at either the Learn Great Foods kitchen on the historic Campbell Center Campus in Mt. Carroll or Brightflower Nursery in Stockton, guests will cook a harvest meal and tour on organic farm. Sundays from 12-6pm.
866-240-1650 or contact@learngreatfoods.com
www.learngreatfoods.com

October 10-12
SCARECROW FESTIVAL
Downtown St. Charles
Each year, 100+ hand-crafted scarecrows gather in historic St. Charles, Illinois, just one hour west of Chicago, during the Original Illinois Scarecrow Festival in October. Enjoy free, live entertainment, great food, numerous free and interactive children's events, the famous Autumn on the Fox Art & Craft Show and so much more at this NON-alcohol, family fun festival.
800-777-4373
www.scarecrowfest.com

October 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, 31 & November 1
TERROR ON THE RAILROAD
Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, Union
Fridays and Saturdays - Terror on the Railroad - a haunted Halloween Train Experience.
815-923-4000
www.irm.org

October 11
QUILTER'S FLEA MARKET
The Petunia City Quilter Guild will have a Quilter's Flea Market at the Loveland Community House in Dixon. This is a one day event with booths featuring quilting books, patterns, fabric, quilts, crafted items, rubber stamps, feedsacks and maybe even a sewing machine or two. Admission is $4 for adults, under 12 free.
815-284-9645

October 11-12
FULTON FALL FESTIVAL
Downtown Fulton
Enjoy pumpkin painting, a downtown scavenger hunt, unique shopping and tours of Fulton's Fiber Mill and Windmill.
815-589-4545
www.cityoffulton.us

October 11-12
FALL DIDDLEY
Boone Fairgrounds, Route 76 & Business 20, Belvidere
Annual craft show featuring over 300 crafters and artists displayed in booths, in building and tents.
815-385-5745
www.mhrl.org

October 11-12
SCARECROW HARVEST FESTIVAL
Midway Village and Musuem Center, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford
Enjoy time-honored harvest activities, free straw for making your own scarecrow and a Midway Marauders old-time baseball game. Museum interpreters will be on hand in the Village.
815-397-9112

October 11-13
PUMPKIN FILL UP
10258 US Hwy 20, Garden Prairie
Columbus Day weekend.  Come for all your Fall decorations including pumpkins galore!
815-597-3011
www.susiesgardenpatch.com

October 16
ANNUAL CEMETERY WALK
Oswego Township Cemetery, South Main Street, Oswego
The Oswego Cemetery Walk is held in the dark with only kerosene lanterns for illumination. Between 7 and 9pm, groups of 15 people will be escorted to the grave sites every 5 to 15 minutes.
630-554-2321

October 17-19
AUTUMN DRIVE
Garden Valley Road, Woodstock
Harvest time in the countryside. Farms along Garden Valley Road open their doors to offer fresh produce, Fall vegetables, pumpkins, crafts, antiques and plenty of good food. Open daily: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
815-923-2415
www.autumndrive.net

October 17-19
TWENTY DIRTY HANDS
238 North Main Street, Elizabeth
Join us the second weekend in October. Tour the beautiful Galena countryside, enjoy the fall colors and visit some of the area's best know pottery and sculpure studios - open just for this weekend with special exhibits and events, allowing visitors a unique view of their kilns, forges and workspaces.
815-858-2327
www.twentydirtyhands.com

October 17, 18, 24, 25, 31
HAUNTED FOREST FESTIVAL
1030 Viaduct Road, Savanna
Five fun-filled, ghoulishly eventful nights! Festival includes haunted hay rides through the forest with unique and numerous scary scenes designed to scare your socks off. Much more.
815-273-3292

October 18-19
TRAIL OF HISTORY
6316 Harts Road, Ringwood
A fun and educational living history re-enactment of the Northwest Territory between 1670 to 1850. From 10am to 4pm.
815-338-6223
www.mccdistrict.org

October 18, 25
OCTOBER NIGHTS
Mt. Carroll
Enjoy the best of October in Mt. Carroll. Colorful, tree-lined brick streets, quaint & unique shops around the courthouse square, delicious pork chop sandwiches, decorated old-fashioned lampposts, tours through nationally known Raven's Grin Haunted House and historic cemetery tours where live actors portray the town's most unique characters.
815-244-CALL
www.mount-carroll.il.us

October 25
ALL HALLOWS EVE
Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford
Midway's recreated 1900's village decorated for the holiday. Activities include children's costume parade, children's Halloween crafts and guided tours of the Haunted Forest (5pm-8pm). Food and snacks available.
815-397-9112
www.midwayvillage.com

October 26
SANDWICH ANTIQUES MARKET
Sandwich Fairgrounds
Come to the Sandwich Antiques Market, held monthly from April to October from 8am to 4pm. The focus is on complete range of antiques and collectibles from the 19th & 20th centuries. All items must be at least 20 years old and have some artistic or monetary value. This one-day summer market features quality exhibitors and is held at the park-like Sandwich Fairgrounds, with its beautiful 100-year-old trees and plenty of places to sit and rest. Located 60 miles west of Chicago just off US 34 .
815-786-3337
www.antiquemarkets.com

October 30
GARRISON KEILLOR IN CONCERT
NIU Convocation Center, 1525 West Lincoln Highway, DeKalb
The charming, whitty, and always-entertaining writer and humorist Garrison Keillor, probably best known for his widely popular radion show A Prairie Home Companion, will make a stop at the Convocation Center at Northern Illinois University.
815-752-6800
www.niuconvo.com

OCTOBER 2007

October 1-29
LENA COMMUNITY HAUNTED BARN
Lions Park
609 S. Schuyler, Lena
Friday and Saturday: 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm (Ticket Sales open at 6 pm). Also open Sunday, October 16 and 23. Multiple levels of thrills and chills in 2 barns connected by a 150' slide, haunted scenes, changing mazes, a haunted trail, and scary encounters. Not recommended for children under 7. $7
815-369-2642

October 5-6
ARTSCENE: ART IS EVERYWHERE
Various location throughout Rockford
Annual event held at 30 different venues throughout Rockford.  Coordinated by the Rockford Area Arts Council.
815-963-6765
www.artsforeveryone.com

October 6
HARVEST MOON FESTIVAL
Downtown Genoa
Come enjoy the quaint village of Genoa.  In years past we have sold scarecrows, pumpkins, gourds, mums, and corn stalks.  We have food booths and specials in stores and restaurants.
815-784-5101

October 6
CHILI SHOOT OUT
9572 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park
Over 50 cooking teams of the area's best cooks compete for Best Chili and Best Showmanship in the annual Chili Shoot Out. More than 50 teams compete and provide lots of opportunities to taste some of the best (and hottest) chili around. Live music will be provided. Other festival food is also available.
815-399-2233

October 6
AN EVENING WITH MARC COHN- RAUE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
26 North Williams Street, Crystal Lake
Marc Cohn, the 1991 Grammy Award winner for Walking in Memphis, is one of the most compelling singer-songwriters in contemporary music. Cohn's beautifully tasteful and intelligent songwriting has earned him many fams among his fellow musicians, and his two follow-up records.
815-356-9212

October 6
LITTLE CAR NATIONAL SHORT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP
Rockford Speedway, 9572 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park
11th annual Little Car Nationals.
815-633-1500

October 6-7
MIDWEST LITERARY FESTIVAL
Downtown Aurora
This celebration of the written word will promote reading, the book arts and an appreciation of the Midwest's literary heritage.
630-897-5500
www.midwestliteraryfestival.com

October 6-7
OLDE ENGLISH FAIRE
Stronghold Camp & Conference Center, Route 2 North, Oregon
Stronghold Center transforms its property into the site of an Olde English Faire.  Swordfighters will keep alive the tradition of chivalry, merry minstrels will serenade with melodies from near and far, children will reign supreme in the Gremlin's Garden, wandering players will amaze you with feats of magic & zany comedy and merchants & artisans will offer fanciful treasures for sale.  Hearty food, coffee and soft drinks will be available for sale.  Open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
815-732-6111

October 6-7
CIDER AND CINNAMON ARTS AND CRAFTS SALE
Edgebrook Shopping Center, 1639 North Alpine Road, Rockford
More than 50 quality artists & crafters will provide unique items from jewelry and furniture to copper art, stained glass, purses, scarves, floral arrangements & much more! Boy Scout Troop 14 will serve hot and cold apple cider, cider & cinnamon doughnuts and coffee.
815-226-0212

October 6-8
SETTLERS' DAYS
Downtown Marengo
Head to Settlers' Days for a pumpkin carving contest, carnival, arts and crafts, pioneering demos, food concessions, a band competition and parade held on Sunday at 2 p.m.
815-568-6680

October 6-31
PUMPKINFEST
15908 Hebron Road, Harvard
Columbus Day weekend to end of October. Featuring giant pumpkins, ornamental pumpkins and gourds plus more!
815-648-4141
www.royaloakfarmorchard.com

October 7
MCHENRY WINE & BUSINESS SHOWCASE
Veteran's Park, Downtown McHenry
Wine tasting festival where you can sample dozens of varieties from 10 Illinois wineries. The showcase will also be a fun opportunity for the public to learn what more than 15 other area businesses and non-profits have to offer, including food vendors.
815-578-8360
www.corkscrewpointe.com

October 7
HEAD OF THE ROCK REGATTA
Rock River in Rockford
Annual running of this premier "head" sculling race held by the Rockford YMCA Rowing Club. More than 60 clubs, universities and unaffiliated groups from all over the Midwest, with more than 1,700 rowers, compete on the 2.75-mile course on the Rock River. The race starts at Martin Park, just south of Riverside Blvd., and finishes at the Whitman Street Bridge.
815-489-1216

October 7
PRAIRIE RIDERS GRASS DRAGS
Boone County Fairgrounds, 8791 Route 76, Belvidere
Come enjoy the Grass Drags and swap meet where snowmobiles race, not on snow but on grass.  Good fun for the whole family.
815-544-2723

October 7
LENSING AUTUMN CLASSIC AUTO SHOW
Historic Auto Attractions Museum, 13825 Metric Drive, Roscoe
6th annual car show with more than 200 antiques, classics, hot rods and restored vehicle.
815-389-7917

October 11
ANNUAL CEMETERY WALK
Oswego Township Cemetery, Oswego
Come listen as a few of the cemetery's historic characters tell their stories. Held in the dark with only kerosene lanterns for illumination.
630-554-2321

October 13
NIU HUSKIE FOOTBALL - HOMECOMING
Huskie Stadium, DeKalb
Huskie football vs W. Michigan, game time at 2pm. DeKalb/Sycamore Chamber Tailgate.
877-DEKALB1

October 13
OKTOBERFEST
Community Building Complex, 111 S. 1st Street, Belvidere
Annual event features music and fun, reasonably priced food and beverages available. Lowenbrau, Lienenkugel, and Oktoberfest beers..
815-544-4357

October 13
ANNUAL TURKEY TESTICLE FESTIVAL
105 N. Union Street, Byron
Karaoke contest Friday cash prizes, Sat/deep fried delights served at noon, live bands 11a.m. to 11p.m. People‚ choice bike show. FEE.
815-234-9910

October 13
OAKDALE IN OCTOBER AUTUMN FESTIVAL
Oakdale Nature Preserve
4433 S. Cranes Grove, Freeport
8 am to 2 pm. Pancake breakfast (until 1 pm), plus enjoy heritage craft booths, scarecrow making, farmers market items and more. Pancake breakfast: Adults: $5; Children under 11: $3
815-233-5616

October 13-14
FAMILY FUN FESTIVAL
Midwest Museum of Natural History and Sycamore High School Auditorium, Sycamore
2nd Annual festival. A Native American Celebration will be held at the Sycamore High School Auditorium on Saturday from 1-3pm, and a Chili Cook-Off will be at the Museum on Sunday from 1-3pm. Visit the museum too, open Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 12pm to 5pm .
815-895-9777

October 13-14
ANNUAL ANTIQUE TRACTOR SHOW
Historic Petersen Farm, McHenry
3rd Annual festival will include hayrides, petting zoo, pony rides, farmers market. Live music Saturday and tractor pulling contest Sunday. 9am-5pm both days. $2 admission to benefit FISH Food Pantry.
www.ci.mchenry.il.us

October 13, 19-20
TRAIN OF TERROR
Silver Creek and Stephenson Railroad, 2954 S. Walnut, Freeport
6 pm to 9 pm. All aboard the Train of Terror into the world of darkness for a thrilling and chilling 4 mile ride. 815-232-2306 or 815-233-7329

October 14
DOLL, TOY, BEAR SALE
Forest Hills Lodge, 9542 Forest Hills Road, Machesney Park
Antique to modern dolls, toys and bears on display with dealers from seven states.
608-254-7445

October 17
SAGE - AN EVENING OF GARDEN WISDOM
Giovanni's Restaurant, 610 Bell School Road, Rockford
Sage - is a fundraiser for Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, one of "Rockford's Originals".  Enjoy a sumptuous autumn dinner, featured presentation, silent auction, and more.
815-965-8146
www.klehm.org

October 19
BLUES AND BLUEGRASS
H.I.Lincoln Building, 136 North Elm Street, Franklin Grove
Open stage. Acoustic music: gospel, folk, country, blues, bluegrass, etc. Always third Friday of the month.
815-456-3030

October 20
SPIRITS OF YESTERYEAR
Stephenson County Historical Museum
1440 S. Carroll, Freeport
6 pm to 9 pm. The Spirits of Yesteryear haunt the Taylor home as historical characters come back from the dead to speak about their lives. Refreshments. Adults: $5; Children 6 to 12: $3; Family Pass: $15
815-232-8419

October 20
VICTORIAN MAGIC LANTERN SHOW
Memorial Hall, 211 North Main Street, Rockford
Travel back in time with the boisterous fun of Americaís only Victorian magic-lantern show. An authentic 1890's visual extravaganza projected on a full-size screen the kind of show that led to the movies! Halloween stories like Poe's The Raven, spooky animated comedy and outrageous songs all dramatized on screen by a live showman and singer/pianist. The audience participates in the fun, creating sound effects, and joining in chants and hilarious sing-alongs such as The Worms Crawl In.
815-964-2424

October 20
ARLO GUTHRIE AT THE CORONADO
Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 North Main Street, Rockford
Folk music icon Arlo Guthrie takes the stage, performing the '60s anthem "Alice's Restaurant" and other treasured recordings including "The Motorcycle Song" and "Last to Leave.
815-968-0595

October 20-21
33RD ANNUAL FALL FOX VALLEY ANTIQUE SHOW
Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles
The Chicago Suburban Antiques Dealers Association has invited 55 top dealers from across the country to display their antiques in room settings. CSADA's famous 5 Minute Antique Schools led by several outstanding dealers in their specialties during the show will help you choose well. Even those who have modern furnishings can find that one of a kind item that will complete a room.
815-838-0606

October 24
BROADWAY AT THE CORONADO: CIRQUE DREAMS JUNGLE FANTASY
Coronado Theatre, 314 North Main Street, Rockford
An all-new Cirque adventure that takes audiences soaring through the air and into a magical forest.
815-968-0595

October 24-28
SYCAMORE PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
Downtown Sycamore
The lawn of the courthouse is filled with hundreds and hundreds of pumpkins that are carved, painted and created by area children. Food, crafts, contests, fun and more culminate in a gigantic parade through town. Last full weekend in October.
888-828-4FUN 
www.sycamorepumpkinfestival.com

October 26-28
GALENA HALLOWEEN BALLOON FESTIVAL
Country Inn and Suites, Galena
Friday: balloon glow, Saturday: balloon launch and balloon glow with trick-or-treating from basket to basket, Sunday: balloon launch.  All activities (except Saturday balloon glow) occur on the grounds behind Country Inn & Suites - Galena. Saturday balloon glow on the Levee near the Old Train Depot Visitor Information Center. All events weather permitting
815-777-3600

October 26-31
"AMENTI" - THE EGYPTIAN THEATRE HAUNTED HOUSE
Egyptian Theatre, DeKalb
Amenti is the Egyptian Goddess guarding the world of the dead. Within her gates lie the horrors of the Egyptian underworld. Terror after terror await those who dare to enter. But be careful, Amenti jealously guards her gates and assures that no one escapes. Tthe Egyptian Theatre Haunted House is sure to make you want your mummy.
815-758-1215

October 27
ROCKFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA POPS SERIES: SALUTE TO JOHN WILLIAMS
Coronado Theatre, 314 North Main Street, Rockford
John Williams' scores have won five Academy Awards and three Golden Globes. The concert will include a special tribute to the films of Steven Spielberg and themes from Superman, Star Wars, and Close Encounters of Third Kind. The RSO was named Orchestra of the Year for the 2005/2006 season by the Illinois Council of Orchestras..
815-965-0049
www.rockfordsymphony.com




BACK TO TOP