Fall glory: Pumpkin Weekends, Paws in the Park

Sweet as it is, the fall season is just too short.

Dazzling autumn leaves and their brilliant colors burst onto the scene suddenly, only to be whisked away on the next windy day.

Fortunately, the Fox Valley Park District makes this glorious season last a little longer with Pumpkin Weekends at Blackberry Farm. During every weekend in October plus Columbus Day (Oct. 12) - nine days in all - fall is celebrated in its full glory.

Already, the leaf-peepers are out and about. The pumpkins are fat and firm. Crisp, cool days, chilly nights and football tailgate parties confirm fall is here.

"We used to do a Fall Festival in October each year, and it was so popular and well-received that we expanded the event to include every weekend," said Sandie Gilmer, facility supervisor at Blackberry Farm.

Admission fee includes unlimited rides on the train, carousel, hay wagon and ponies. Pack a picnic basket if you like, or enjoy a full menu of concessions.

New this year is the Corn Crib - think of a sandbox full of corn - where children can roll and wriggle, farm-style. Also, Lake Gregory will host its first "Pumpkin Paddle" where guests can captain a paddle boat and use nets to scoop floating pumpkins for carving.

Take a train ride and visit the pumpkin patch, purchase your own pumpkin and paint it right there at the special decorating station. You figure most of those pumpkins - and the children who decorate them - will be adorned with broad smiles.

And with fall colors as the backdrop, the new and popular Adventure Playground is a great place for the kids to hang and for parents to enjoy watching them have fun.

It's a customized play structure with an extensive network of climbing decks, slides, ropes and catwalk-style bridges connecting an array of playhouses on multiple levels.

Cherish fall while it's here, because we know what season is next.

A free dog-day afternoon:

Just like their owners, dogs love the great outdoors, especially where there's room to roam. So in 2004, the park district created the Lincoln Park Dog Park to provide an exclusive hangout for pooches on the near west side of Aurora, 259 S. Russell Ave.

The three-acre park has proved to be a wonderful place to meet and socialize - for people and dogs.

The park's signature event returns Sunday, Oct. 4, when the annual Paws in the Park festival takes place from noon to 3 p.m. For every dog, the excitement level for this event can be equated to that moment when its owner walks through the door each day.

That means there will be a lot of tail-wagging and happy barking.

This free event, staged in conjunction with the Fox Valley Animal Welfare League, will feature about 40 vendors offering dog-related supplies, gifts and information.

Dog contests with prizes will be held, featuring awards in categories such as longest tail, longest ears, furriest, fastest runner and … a dog-and-owner look-alike award.

It's funny, the similarities you find between pets and owners.

You'd normally need a park district dog tag to use any of the three dog parks, which also include Stuart Sports Complex and Gregory Island. However, the dog tag requirement will be waived Sunday (one day only, exclusive to Lincoln Park) in lieu of a $1 admission and current rabies tag or certificate from a veterinarian.

Tags will be available for purchase on site - $25 per resident tag and $50 for nonresidents (cash or check; no credit cards). As an added bonus, tags purchased at Paws in the Park will be good for the rest of 2015 - through the end of 2016 - a doggone good deal.

Your dog(s) will agree - because every day is a great day to let the dogs out.

Jeff Long (jlong@fvpd.net) is the public relations manager for the Fox Valley Park District.