Bring the family on 28th annual Autumn Drive

WOODSTOCK - The 28th annual Autumn Drive is a fall festival for the entire family.

Join a variety of crafters, artisans, antique dealers and the McHenry County Historical Society from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 16-18 in rural Woodstock/Marengo. The country colors come alive and the neighborhood turns into an eclectic collection of talents.

Just a leisurely country drive from home yields: antiques, art, crafts, pumpkin patches, apple picking, corn mazes, food, music, and even garage sales and barn sales.

Several antique dealers are selling more than 300 pieces of refurbished furniture like an 1890s ice box, cylinder roll-top desk or early 20th century furniture. The historical society's 1885 former town hall, buy everything from raffle tickets for a hand-stitched quilt to antique books. Vote in a straw poll for the GOP presidential nominee.

Blanket chests, trunks, cookbooks, tools, white elephants, and vintage jewelry are also available at these stops. Scattered throughout the drive are garage sales and barn sales where wonderful treasures can be found.

This fall festival can also offer wagon rides to a pumpkin patch or apple fields where you can pick your own apples right from the trees or pumpkins in the fields. Four Local farms are offering fall produce like squash, food stuffs, Indian corn, honey, jams, soaps, and vinegars. Also experience tractor rides, petting zoos, pig races, and even pumpkin and apple launchers.

Many stops will have food from the grill or kitchen. "The best Kettle Corn in the Midwest" can be found at the corner of Garden Valley and Franklinville roads. At the "Lunch Barn" the Boy Scouts of Grace Lutheran Church will be selling brats and hot dogs. All 23 stops (more than 150 vendors) will amaze and excite the senses with fall sights, sounds, and the chills of the season. Some stops are mini art fairs in themselves

Several stops have invited nonprofits and charities to promote their activities. In addition to the McHenry County Historical Society, local church groups of McHenry County have stops or booths. Helping Paws will have animals to pet and adopt.

There are bake sales for high school sports and don't forget about the apple doughnuts. Some stops that charge for activities give a discount to veterans.

For more details, maps, and stories, visit www.autumndrive.net or www.facebook.com/autumndrive.