Wood Dale adds fall atmosphere to Festravaganza

Wood Dale's first Festravaganza last year offered fun for families - clowns and face painting, a lollipop pull, the chance to touch a truck - but organizers thought one tweak would change the feeling of the late-September event.

A change in venue was in order for the second Festravaganza, organized by the Wood Dale Park District from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. While the first event took place at Community Park, this year's fest leapfrogs Wood Dale Junior High School and lands in Franzen Grove.

"We wanted to give it more of a fall feel," said Shari Wenzel, the park district's special events coordinator. "There're a lot of pretty oak trees out there. It's really heavily shaded."

So with the trees looking on and a few leaves making their way from green to shades of gold, copper and crimson, families can take part in activities such as children's games and bingo for adults at Festravaganza 2015.

"Everything is free," Wenzel said. "We're giving out free slushies while they last."

New additions this year include a climbing wall and carnival-style games, said Michele Silver, the park district's recreation director.

Another new attraction, Silver said, is food vendor Sweet Baby Ray's. The barbecue eatery's food truck will offer hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork mini sandwiches and macaroni and cheese for sale, she said.

Favorite features from last year's festival debut also will be part of the event. Touch-A-Truck, so named because it gives children the chance to climb aboard and explore trucks and other vehicles, will bring a collection of police and fire vehicles, a cement truck, a park district tractor and dump truck, a school bus, a mail truck and several model airplanes, Silver said.

Silver said children will find balloon artists, face painters, a petting zoo, music provided by a DJ and an inflatable obstacle course at the festival. And for some traditional fall fun, the park district is offering free hayrides.

Fun Wizz, a roving entertainer known for his interactive games, will be on hand throughout the day, Wenzel said.

The event drew about 400 people last year, Silver said. This year's event is a larger community celebration that replaces several smaller events, she said.

Wenzel said park district organizers expect about 500 people will visit this year.

Visitors can park at Wood Dale Junior High School, 543 N. Wood Dale Road, or at the Recreation Complex, 111 E. Foster Ave.

If you go

What: Wood Dale Park District's second annual Festravaganza

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26

Where: Franzen Grove, 651 N. Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale

Admission: Free

Info: (630) 595-9333 or wooddaleparkdistrict.org