Generations gather for West Chicago fall festival

Sonny Acres Farm in West Chicago was packed Sunday with people enjoying what for many has become an annual tradition.

The family-owned farm is hosting its Fall Festival all month. The event gives visitors a chance to buy pumpkins, try a few carnival rides and get up close and personal with goats and rabbits in the petting zoo.

Sonny Acres has been hosting the festival since the 1950s, and organizers say it has a devoted audience.

"It's funny, I see families come out these days where the parents grew up coming here as kids," said Tom Feltes, one of the farm's owners. "You get multiple generations of families coming here. It's pretty great to see."

One of those people was Jim Manzzullo of Plainfield, who attended the festival Sunday with his wife, Tracy, and their three children.

Manzzullo grew up in Addison, and he said the festival was always a highlight of the Halloween season during his childhood years.

"My parents us took us every year," he said. "I was just telling my kids that I've been coming here for at least 35 years. It's still the best event like this in the area."

Kelli McManus of Wheaton was a first-time attendee. She said she was looking for a way to enjoy Sunday's sunny, mild weather with her kids.

"They're pretty crazy about Halloween, so this was a great choice," she said. "We'll probably make this a yearly thing if we can."

The Fall Festival continues 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Halloween, Friday, Oct. 31. The Haunted Barn and Haunted Wagon Ride will be open 7 to 9:40 p.m. Friday.