Fall can be the perfect season for a festival: cooler air, a bounty of fruits and vegetables in season and a great time to spend gathering before the icy chill of winter falls. Chicago is home to several amazing fall festivals and traditions every year.
For 2009,
several Chicago favorites have returned, some bigger than ever,
along with exciting new festivals to check out. Throughout our list you'll find lots of green, eco-friendly and nature related themes and plenty of fun for kids, too.
(As we compiled our list, we had a difficult time choosing between so many options, so take your pick or if you're feeling a little adventurous: hit up a few on the same weekend!)
Harvest Festival at Kilbourn Park
September 12
"This family-friendly event is a celebration of the summer garden.
Come learn more about organic gardening techniques as well as cooking
from its harvest. The entire family will enjoy a variety of activities:
take-home crafts, storytelling, and face painting."
Renegade Craft Fair
September 12 and 13
"Over 300 artists are traveling from all over the country to participate and sell their handmade goods:
from clothing and accessories, to stationery and concert posters, with
everything from bath-products, ceramics and housewares in between! This
FREE TO ATTEND DIY craft, art and design extravaganza occurs in one of Chicago’s liveliest neighborhoods, on its busiest block!" (Also food, drinks, raffles, bike valet)
County Fair at Garfield Park Conservatory
September 19
"Chicago’s original urban hoedown... experience the excitement of a
county fair in the middle of the city! County Fair will be chock-full
of family fun this year, such as hands-on kids’ activities, a petting
zoo and pony ride, food preservation demonstrations, a garden harvest
showcase, a farmers’ market, live music, and beekeeping demonstrations,"
Lincoln Square Apple Fest
September 19th
"Free entry, apples by the bushel, cider by the gallon. Welcome fall
with everyone's favorite fruit. Enjoy live music, children’s games,
cooking classes, tastings, farm-fresh fruits and vegetables and
specialty vendors."
Edgewater Gralley
September 19
"the Edgewater neighborhood comes alive for this all-ages, block party in the heart of Chicago's North Side...Music, Food Tents, Beer Gardens, Sports Corner for cheering on Cubs and
Sox as well as College Football Teams, Artist Displays, Kid's Corner, a
raffle and silent auction items provide plenty of entertainment for the
adults both day and night. Environmentally-friendly and themed kids games and events ensure family fun throughout the day."
Evanston Green Living Festival at the Evanston Ecology Center
October 3
"a free, fun event designed to encourage local citizens to adopt green practices that will reduce their carbon footprint."
Harvest Festival
and Bulb Bazaar at Chicago Botanic Garden
October 3 – 4
"Visit a marketplace in the Fruit &
Vegetable Garden selling a variety of items, including fresh-baked
goods, roasted nuts, cut flowers, handmade soaps, and fresh vegetables.
Navigate the straw bale maze, guess the weight of the pumpkin, and make
leaf rubbings. Take home a fall-themed plant, and enjoy chef
demonstrations,"
Fall Color Festival at the Morton Arboretum
Ongoing activities and events from October 3 to November 1 and Columbus Day
"See
the bright red, orange, and yellow colors of trees and other plants
from all over the world plus make lasting fall memories during Fall
Color Festival."
Chicago VeganMania
October 10
"an all-inclusive celebration of the diverse
and positive vegan lifestyle. This daylong festival will showcase the
unique vegan commerce, culture, community and, of course, food! The
event is open to all (regardless of age, income or diet) and will
feature a large vending area with live entertainment, games, contests
and art show, a kids area and much more!"
Did we miss something? Let us know in the comments below!
Comments