Harvest Day features history and fun in Algonquin

Experience local history and October harvests in downtown Algonquin from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8.

It’s the ninth year for the annual Old Time Country Harvest Day, which is a celebration of the fall season.

The event features a variety of family-oriented games and contests. At noon, children can participate in a costume contest; there will also be pumpkin judging. Children can decorate a pumpkin at home and bring it in to be judged.

Kids can play free games such as pumpkin buckets and “tick-tack-ghosts,” and climb and jump on an inflatable course attraction.

If your little ones aren’t worn out yet, they can build their own scarecrow with straw provided and old clothes brought from home.

“This is a day to give back to the community,” said Gabrielle Reego Gutierrez of the Downtown Algonquin Partnership. “We work toward helping Algonquin and Lake in the Hills families.”

The Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry will accept donations toward its capital campaign for building a new facility on Pyott Road. Donors will receive a free loaf of bread from Dawn’s Bread in Crystal Lake.

Nonperishable food items will be accepted as well.

Other events will include a farmers market and craft fair as well as a pumpkin dessert bake-off, set to be judged at 11:30 a.m. Enjoy a snack from the Firefly Cafe and watch the Rebecca McCarthy School of Dance perform Irish Step Dancing at noon.

“Attendees can buy lemonade from a lemonade stand to help childhood cancer,” Guiterrez said.

The annual Historic Cemetery Walk’s first tour steps off at 11 a.m. The walk brings families to the Algonquin Cemetery as local actors re-enact the lives of former community members. The oldest grave dates back to 1854.

“This is a fun family event that holds interesting tales on the oldest town in McHenry (County),” said Jeff Jolitz, chairman of the Algonquin Historic Commission and the walk.

Organizers expect about 125 to 400 attendees, depending on weather.

“Actors will portray previous shop keepers and doctors with realistic costumes,” Joiltz said. All presentations last about 10 minutes.

Families can also learn about symbols on grave stones and different varieties of tombstones.

Old Time Country Harvest Day Festival will be at the corner of Washington and Harrison streets. The Historic Cemetery Walk is at the Algonquin Cemetery at Route 31 and Cary-Algonquin Road.

Cemetery walk attendees are asked to bring a $1 donation per person. Admission for the festival is free. For details, visit downtownalgonquin.org.