Huntley Fall Fest ushers in the season with scarecrows and carnival rides

Whether your idea of fall fun includes scarecrow making, live outdoor music, or carnival and hay rides, the Huntley Fall Fest will have it all this weekend in a setting perfect for whole family.

The 11th annual Huntley Fall Fest opens at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, at Deicke Park and runs through Sunday evening, Sept. 25, at the park along Route 47.

Huntley Fall Fest began as a one-day event 11 years ago with paid admission costs.

Since then, it has grown into a free three-day extravaganza that draws in people from all over the area for the festival fun.

"I would put our fest up against any other fest that anyone would go to," organizer Bryant Haniszweski said. "We check out the other festivals and always make sure we have the best of the best. But the number one thing is the location at Deicke Park.

"It feels like you're walking around a park within a park. There are so many different things going on from the carnival to the scarecrow making. It just lends itself to that family feeling."

Haniszweski said the free admission is a plus, because people can come out all weekend to hang out with their friends, family and neighbors, listen to live music for free, and pick and choose what they want to spend their money on. Most everything at the event is free, except for food, drinks, carnival rides, pony rides and the petting zoo, he said.

"It gives them the availability to do whatever they want," he said. "I'd rather have it where everyone in town can come and just meet up and hang out and make it a real town fest.

"It's like a nice family tradition that we have here in Huntley," he said. "Everyone can come. It doesn't cost anything to go. There is something for everyone to do. Last year with no admission cost it was just amazingly busy. It was our best year ever."

Organizers are hoping this year's festival will top last year's fun.

They are bringing back all of the old favorites, including the live entertainment with performances by popular performers such as 7th heaven, Denny Diamond and American English.

For the kids, there will be the irresistible straw mound, a climbing wall, inflatables, a gaming theater, a magic show and an appearance by the Chicago Blackhawks mascot.

The festival also will have an inflatable 40-by-40-feet corn maze that is accessible for all, hayrides and horses.

Huntley Fall Fest also will feature the popular fireworks show at 8:45 p.m. Saturday.

One of the most popular attractions - the carnival - is back, too.

If you're going for the carnival, there is a Mega pass available that will give attendees unlimited carnival rides throughout the weekend. The pass is $50 when purchased online by Thursday, Sept. 22, or $60 at the festival.

Patrons can also purchase individual tickets for carnival rides.

There are some new additions to Huntley Fall Fest this year too, Haniszweski said, including a trackless train ride around the park.

While most of the events take place within Deicke Park, there also are some indoor activities, including a book sale and a giant model train display that this year will take up the entire gym in the Huntley Rec Center adjacent to Deicke Park.

"People can just sit at the park all weekend if they really want to; we have so much going on," Haniszewski said.

For complete list of Huntley Fall Fest activities, visit huntleyfallfest.com/.

If you go

What: 11th annual Huntley Fall Fest

When: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25

Where: Deicke Park, 12015 Mill St., Huntley.

Admission: Free.

Details: <a href="http://huntleyfallfest.com">huntleyfallfest.com</a>.