Fairs & fests: Scarecrows, pumpkins and horses, oh my!

This weekend

<b>Morton Arboretum's Fall Color Festival:</b> 7 a.m. to sunset daily through Monday, Oct. 31, at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Scarecrow Trail and special events. Trick or Trees runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends in the Children's Garden and includes games, fall crafts, tree seeds to take home, and small pumpkins to purchase and paint. General admission $9-$14; free for members. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org.

<b>Cosley Zoo Pumpkin Fest:</b> 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Monday, Oct. 31, at Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. Straw pyramid, cornstalk tunnel, and apples, gourds, pumpkins, cider, corn stalks and bales of hay for purchase. Fest is included with $4-$5 zoo admission; free for members and kids 17 and younger. cosleyzoo.org.

<b>Didier Farms Pumpkinfest:</b> 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Monday, Oct. 31, at Didier Farms, 16678 Aptakisic Road, Lincolnshire. Hayrides, camel rides, Animal Land Zoo, parakeet exhibit, Pumpkin Playland, pig races and more. Free, but some activities require tickets. didierfarms.com/pumpkinfest.

<b>Randall Oaks Fall Festival:</b> 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Sunday, Oct, 30, at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Hay maze, corn bin play area, fall treats and pumpkins for purchase and face painting from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for $3-$5. On weekends, bonfire from noon to 5 p.m. and hayrides for $2. Most activities included with zoo admission: $3.25 for residents, $4 for nonresidents, free for kids younger than 2. (847) 428-7131 or dtpd.org.

<b>St. Charles Scarecrow Festival:</b> 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 7-8, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at Main and 4th streets, and along the riverfront, St. Charles. More than 100 handcrafted scarecrows, carnival, petting zoo, live music, food, and Autumn on the Fox arts and crafts show. Free. scarecrowfest.com.

<b>Blackberry Farm's Pumpkin Weekends:</b> 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October at Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora. Roll in the corn crib, ride the Pumpkin Train, experience the new Pumpkin Paddle, plus crafts and harvest decor. $4.50-$8; free for kids younger than 2. (630) 892-1500 or foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.

<b>Ear Taxi Festival:</b> Runs through Monday, Oct. 10, at various venues throughout Chicago. Festival celebrates the contemporary classical music scene in Chicago. For a daily schedule of performers and tickets, see eartaxifestival.com.

<b>Seventh Annual Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival:</b> 4 to 10 p.m. Friday Oct. 7; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at Highwood Avenue and Waukegan and Sheridan roads, Highwood. All-you-can-carve pumpkins, trick-or-treating, costume contests, pumpkin parade, hay rides, pony rides, petting zoo, carnival rides, kids' crafts, two stages with entertainment, the Superhero 5K Pumpkin Run/Walk at 8 a.m. Saturday and more. Carved jack-o'-lanterns will be placed on the pumpkin walls throughout the festival grounds. Ceremonial pumpkin lightings at 7:45 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Saturday, with the grand lighting at 7 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $3 per day or $5 for a weekend pass. Proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish Illinois. highwoodpumpkinfest.com.

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Mount Prospect Oktoberfest and Fall Fest:</b> Oktoberfest runs 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 7-8; Fall Fest runs 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Emerson Street and Busse Avenue, Mount Prospect. Celebrate Mount Prospect's heritage with authentic German food, spirits and music. Fall Fest features pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treat candy line, hay rides, food and music. Free. mpdowntown.com.

<b>Fright Fest:</b> Opens at 5 p.m. Fridays and at 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, Oct. 30, (and 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 10, and 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31), at Six Flags Great America, Six Flags Drive, Gurnee. Daytime hours are family-friendly and include shows and a trick-or-treat trail. In the evenings, ghouls will appear and the haunted houses will be open. For a schedule and admission fees, see sixflags.com/greatamerica.

<b>Moonlight Hayrides:</b> Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 7-22, at Primrose Farm Park, 5N726 Crane Road, St. Charles. Thirty-minute tractor-drawn hayrides at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Bonfire, marshmallow roast, hot chocolate and cider. $8 for residents; $12 for nonresidents. Kids 15 and younger must be accompanied by a paying adult. (630) 513-4370 or primrosefarmpark.com.

<b>Ghosts in the Graveyard:</b> 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora. For ages 9-13. Wagon rides and carousel, bonfire with s'mores and spooky stories, followed by a flashlight skeleton hunt. Dinner is included. $9 for Fox Valley Park District residents; $12 for nonresidents. (630) 892-1550 or foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.

<b>International Craft Beer Tasting:</b> 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct 7, at the Itasca Holiday Inn, 860 W. Irving Park Road, Itasca. For ages 21 and older. $40 at the door. Benefits the Itasca Food Pantry, Walk-In Ministry and Springbrook Nature Center. itasca.com.

<b>Pumpkin Palooza Fest:</b> 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at The Growing Place, 2000 Montgomery Road, Aurora. Pumpkin painting, pumpkin race cars, pumpkin crafts, pumpkin bounce house, hayrides, giant decorated pumpkins and more. Free admission; some activities require fees. thegrowingplace.com.

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Cantigny Fall Festival:</b> 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Pumpkin decorating, craft fair, live music and food. Free with paid $5 parking fee. Some activities require fees. cantigny.org.

<b>Harvest Festival:</b> 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Kingswood United Methodist Church, 401 W. Dundee Road, Buffalo Grove. Family fest features a petting zoo, bouncy castle, children's games, pumpkin sales and decorating, bake sale, craft fair, puppet show by the Kingswood Glory Fingers Puppet Team and music from the Kingswood Praise Band. Free. (847) 398-0770.

<b>Long Grove Scarecrow Day:</b> 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, in Towner Green, Old McHenry Road in downtown Long Grove. Stuff and dress a custom scarecrow, which will be displayed along the streets thereafter. The Historic Downtown Long Grove Association will provide each guest a basic wood base for their scarecrow, bales of hay and building guidance. Participants are asked to provide “old” clothing, shoes, hats, gloves and accessories to dress their scarecrow. Leftover clothing will be donated. Scarecrows will be on display throughout October. Free, but $5 donations requested for the local food bank. visitlonggrove.com.

<b>Arlington Heights Autumn Harvest Fest:</b> 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at North School Park, on Eastman Street at Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Petting zoo, scarecrow-building contest, story time, face painting and crafts, farmers market, food vendors and all-day entertainment. Free. ahpd.org/events/autumn-harvest-fest.

<b>Palatine Stables Fall Festival:</b> 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Palatine Stables, 1510 W. Northwest Hwy., Palatine. Pony rides, petting zoo, wagon rides, crafts, booths, business fair, bounce house, games, scarecrow decorating, pumpkins to buy, concessions and live entertainment. Free. palatineparks.org.

<b>Trucks, Trunks & Treats:</b> 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Sullivan Community Center, 635 Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills. Wear your Halloween costume and bring your treat bag. Huge trucks, tiny cars and all things in between. Hayride, candy, bounce house and food for purchase. $2-$3. vhparkdistrict.org.

<b>Island Lake Fall Festival:</b> 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Veterans Park, Route 176, Island Lake. Pick-a-pumpkin ($3) and ice cream sundaes ($1). Free hayrides and crafts. Free admission. villageofislandlake.com.

<b>DuKane A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois' 30th Annual Toy and Food Run:</b> 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at the Batavia VFW, on Route 25, Batavia. A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, a motorcycle-rights organization, hosts this fundraising event, which features seven bands performing on two stages; more than 70 vendor booths; a variety of fare and more. Motorcycle parade lines up from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Elburn; then the parade will be escorted to the VFW in Batavia. Toy and food donations welcome. $10 admission; free for kids younger than 12. facebook.com/groups/dukaneabate.

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Forest Preserve District of DuPage County's Danada Fall Festival:</b> 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at the Danada Equestrian Center, 3S507 Naperville Road, Wheaton. Parade of breeds, performance by Midwest Renegades and the Northern Illinois Outlaws demonstrate cowboy mounted shooting. Guests can meet Danada's own “Nick,” a horse who paints, and buy his artwork, take horse-drawn hayrides, learn about horse care, tour the barn and more. Takes place rain or shine. Free; some activities have nominal fees (cash only). (630) 668-6012, (630) 933-7200 or dupageforest.org.

Next week

<b>McHenry County Historical Society's Halloween Program:</b> 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, at the McHenry County Historical Society Museum, 6422 Main St., Union. Michael Murschel, author of “The Uncommon History of Elgin, Illinois and Surrounds,” and Judi Brownfield, former owner of Books at Sunset, lead a shadowy procession through Victorian funereal culture in “Victorian Art of Death.” Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Halloween refreshments in the society's West Harmony one-room school afterward. $5; $10 nonmembers. mchenrycountyhistory.org.