Festivals: Morton's Glass Pumpkin Patch, Boo Bash, Fall Fests & more

This weekend

<b>Scarecrow Trail:</b> 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily through Tuesday, Oct. 31, at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Nature-themed scarecrows created by local Scout troops. $9-$14. mortonarb.org.

<b>Didier Farms Pumpkinfest:</b> 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Tuesday, Oct. 31, at Didier Farms, 16678 W. Aptakisic Road, Lincolnshire. Hayrides, corn maze, pony and camel rides, “Animal Land,” rides, pig races, homemade apple cider and pumpkin doughnuts and more. Free; fees for some activities. didierfarms.com/pumpkinfest.

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Randall Oaks Zoo's Fall Festival:</b> 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Sunday, Oct. 29, at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Hay bale maze, corn bin play area, fall treats for purchase, face painting and pumpkins. Weekends only: pumpkin enrichment for the zoo's animals, bonfires and hayrides. $3.25-$4 zoo admission; fees for some activities. Free for kids younger than 2. (847) 428-7131 or dtpd.org.

<b>Glass Pumpkin Patch:</b> 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 13-15, at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Glassblowing demonstrations, art exhibition and opportunities to meet the artists. Sales start at 1 p.m. Friday. $9-$14; free for kids 2 and younger. mortonarb.org.

<b>Siegel's Cottonwood Farm Pumpkin Festival:</b> 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Tuesday, Oct. 31, at Siegel's Cottonwood Farm, 17250 Weber Road, Lockport. 15-acre corn maze designed in a pattern that celebrates the Chicago Cubs; u-pick pumpkin field, accessible by hayride; Mia & Miley's Mountain Slide; Bubba Duck's Waddle Races; zip lines; farm animals; food and more. $11.95-$14.95. (815) 741-2693 or ourpumpkinfarm.com.

<b>Mount Prospect Downtown Merchants Association's Oktoberfest:</b> 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 13-14, at the intersection of Emerson Street and Busse Avenue, Mount Prospect. Live entertainment (in a heated tent), traditional German fare and beverages. Performers include the Phenix German Band and the German dance group Noch Einmahl. Kids' events run from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and feature pumpkin decorating, hayrides and more. Free. mpdowntown.com.

<b>12th Annual Chicago Latino Music Festival:</b> Now through Sunday, Nov. 19, at various venues throughout Chicago. Chicago's only Latino-focused classical music festival showcases a wide range of classical music written by Spanish and Latin American composers, from the colonial period to today. latinomusicfest.org.

<b>Fright Fest:</b> 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, Oct. 14; and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, at Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee. Daytime hours are family-friendly, with shows and a trick-or-treat trail from noon to 3 p.m. Evening hours include haunted houses and costumed zombies and monsters. For admission fees, see sixflags.com/greatamerica.

<b>Moonlight Hayrides:</b> 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 13-21, at Primrose Farm Park, 5N726 Crane Road, St. Charles. Thirty-minute tractor-drawn hayrides with bonfire, marshmallow roast, hot chocolate and cider. $8 for residents and $12 for nonresidents. Kids 15 and younger must be accompanied by a paying adult. primrosefarmpark.com.

<b>Logan Center BluesFest:</b> Starts at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13; 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14; and 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago, 915 E. 60th St., Chicago. A three-day festival of concerts, film, food, workshops and more. Many of the events are free. Hours vary. For a daily schedule, visit loganbluesfest.org.

<b>Oak Brook Park District Haunted Forest:</b> 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 13-14, at Central Park, 1450 Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook. Older kids and adults can explore the twists and turns of a 12,000-square-foot maze. Family activities include pumpkins, crafts, games, hay rides, fireside stories and more. $1; 20 tickets for $25. obparks.org. 


<b>Boo Bash:</b> 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Maryknoll Park Pavilion, 845 Perishing Ave., Glen Ellyn. For kids 2-8. Trick-or-treat trail with cartoon characters, storytelling, apple cider and treats. Bobby “Circus Boy” Hunt performs a comedy show. $10-$15. gepark.org.

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Cantigny Fall Festival:</b> 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Activities and entertainment including pumpkin decorating, hay rides, craft fair, petting zoo, face painting, a stilt walker, food trucks and music. Free with $5 parking. A fee applies for some activities. cantigny.org.

<b>Fall Fox Valley Antiques Show:</b> 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. The 43rd annual show features 55 dealers from 14 states with an array of Americana, 18th- to early 20th-century furniture, textiles, jewelry, stoneware and more for sale. Presented by the Chicago Suburban Antique Dealers Association. $10; free parking. csada.com.

<b>Family Fall Fest:</b> 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Wild Meadows Trace, intersection of York and South Street, Elmhurst. Dress in your Halloween best and take in the sights and sounds of autumn at the Elmhurst Park District's Fall Fest. Bring the family for Safety Town trick-or-treating, family photo opportunities, an inflatable corn maze, face painting, a magician, fall games, food trucks and more. Free. epd.org/news/family-fall-fest.

<b>Heritage Day at Fischer Farm:</b> 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at 16W680 Grand Ave., Bensenville. Candle making, pumpkin painting, petting zoo, pony rides, art and craft sale, Bourbon Aristocracy Bluegrass Band, spinning wheel and weaving demonstrations, rug braiding, corn husk doll making, Taylor's Battery and World War II re-enactors, and firing of the cannon on the hour. Cost: $6 wristband gets kids 12 and younger one pumpkin (while supplies last), pony rides and unlimited access to the petting zoo. Adults $2; free for seniors 55 and older. Rain day is Sunday, Oct. 15. (630) 834-3152 or bensenvilleparkdistrict.org.

<b>DIY Scarecrow Day:</b> 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Towner Green, Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Guests can personalize scarecrows, which will be on display in Long Grove through October. Bring old clothing, shoes, hats, gloves and accessories to dress the scarecrows. Prizes will be awarded. All leftover clothing will be donated. There is a $5 entry free, which will be donated to local food shelters. longgrove.org.

<b>DogFest Illinois Walk 'n Roll 2017:</b> 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave., St. Charles. Fundraiser walk for Canine Companions for Independence, which is the largest nonprofit provider of assistance dogs to those with disabilities. Meet the puppy raisers and puppies and graduates and their assistance dogs. Howl-o-ween parade, raffles, entertainment, face painting and more. cci.org/dogfestillinois.

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20th Annual Fall Festival at Palatine Stables:</b> 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Palatine Stables, 1510 W. Northwest Hwy., Palatine. Pony and wagon rides, petting zoo, scarecrow decorating, riding demonstrations, craft vendors, business fair booths, bounce houses, pumpkin sales, concessions and live entertainment. Free. palatineparks.org.

<b>Pumpkin Fest:</b> 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Sunderlage House, 1775 Vista Lane, Hoffman Estates. Decorate a pumpkin (pumpkins and washable acrylic paint provided) and enjoy refreshments. Free. hoffmanestates.org.

<b>Pumpkin Trolley:</b> 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 22 at the Fox River Trolley Museum, 361 S. La Fox St. (Route 31), South Elgin. Ride an old-time electric trolley car to the pumpkin patch and choose a pumpkin for $2 to take home. All children get a small treat. $5; $3 for seniors 65 or older; $2 for kids. (847) 697-4676 or foxtrolley.org.

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Pumpkin Weekends:</b> 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 29 at Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora. Family-friendly fall festivities include the pumpkin princess, seasonal crafts, harvest decor, giant corn crib, professional pumpkin carver, world's tallest scarecrow, trick-or-treating and a pony parade. $7. foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.

<b>Trucks, Trunks and Treats:</b> 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Family Aquatic Center, 635 N. Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills. Children can trick-or-treat among the trucks while exploring emergency and other vehicles. There will also be a Canine Costume Contest. Admission $3; canine contest $1. vhparkdistrict.org/events.

<b>The Growing Place's Garlic Fest:</b> Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at The Growing Place, 25W471 Plank Road, Naperville. Garlic planting, garlic snacking, garlic specials and more. Sample three different varieties of garlic from local farms. “How to Plant Garlic” program at noon, 1 and 2 p.m. Free. thegrowingplace.com/home.

<b>Hoffman Estates Park District's Pumpkin Fest:</b> Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Vogelei Park, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Paint, glitter and color a pumpkin, plus music, crafts and games. Free, but bring nonperishable food items for the food bank. heparks.org.

<b>Trick or Treat Path at Viking Park:</b> 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Viking Park, 4374 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee. Kids 1-6 can trick-or-treat through Viking Park with nearly 50 friendly characters. No charge for parents, who must attend. $5 for residents; $10 for nonresidents. gurneeparkdistrict.com.

<b>Octo Street Fest:</b> 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Pinney Street, behind Restaurant Row on New York Street, Aurora. Live music, food, arts and street performers. Free. auroradowntown.org,

<b>Lindenhurst's Haunted Trail and Bonfire:</b> 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Forest View Park, 513 Forest View Drive, Lindenhurst. Enjoy a wagon ride through McDonald Woods, costume contest, straw maze, storytellers and more. The Millburn Tree Farm will have a selection of pumpkins available. Bonfire and apple cider at dusk. Wagon rides are $1 or one canned food item per person. The Haunted Trail is open from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m. Admission $1 per person each time through. lindenhurstparks.org.

<b>Scarecrow Scramble 5K Run/Walk & Fall Festival:</b> 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Lisle Community Park, 1825 Short St., Lisle. Nighttime 5K run/walk, youth run, tot dash, music, food, hayrides, costume contest, bounce house, face painting and crafters. Provides recreational scholarships for families in need and benefits the Lisle Teens with Character program. $8-$45. lislepartnersforparks.org.

<b>Pub in the Park Craft Beer Fest:</b> 4 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills. Third annual craft beer and food truck festival, featuring Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos. For $65, VIP admission gives an exclusive hour from 3 to 4 p.m. General admission starts at 4 p.m. for $45; $15 for designated drivers. Proceeds benefit People for Parks Foundation of Lake in the Hills Inc. pubinthepark.org.

<b>Ghost Story Train:</b> Departures at 5, 6:15 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Fox River Trolley Museum, 361 S. La Fox St. (Route 31), South Elgin. Ride to the Jon Duerr Forest Preserve. Listen to spooky stories and sing campfire songs while eating s'mores. Costumes welcome. Suitable for all ages. $15 for the one-hour event. Reservations required. (847) 697-4676 or foxtrolley.org.

<b>Lake Forest Oktoberfest:</b> 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, at Deerpath Community Park, 400 Hastings Road, Lake Forest. German biergarden, live bands including Sixteen Candles and 97Nine, German food, games and more. The Friends of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Foundation hosts. $10; free for kids younger than 5. Parking is $10 (cash only). friendslfpr.org.

<b>Oktoberfest at St. Martin's Episcopal Church:</b> 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 1095 Thacker St., Des Plaines. Family-friendly event features food, raffle, games and more. Admission is a suggested donation of $5. Food and drink tickets cost $10 for adults; $18 a couple; $18 for a family of four; additional children's tickets are $2 each. (847) 824-2043 or saintmartinschurchdp.com.

<b>Haunted Quarry:</b> 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Hall Quarry Beach Park, 400 S. Water St., Batavia. Face your fears and experience all the nightmares that await. $8 ($6 in advance through Friday). Not suitable for kids 10 and younger. Volunteers needed. (630) 879-5235 or bataviaparks.org.

<b>Mundelein Park District Family Apple Fest:</b> 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, at Regent Center, 1200 Regent Drive, Mundelein. Learn about and sample different apple varieties. Kids can make a caramel apple. Plus, art, recipes and more. $10-$15. Registration required. mundeleineparks.org.

Next week

<b>Palatine Township Senior Citizens Council Fall Festival:</b> 9:30 to 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16, at the Palatine Township Senior Citizens Council, 505 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. Free activities, raffle, refreshments and giveaways. (847) 776-7261 or ptscc.org.

<b>Clearbrook Around the World Food Tasting:</b> 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Arlington Toyota-Scion, 2095 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Cuisine from local restaurants, raffle, prizes and games. $35-$40. clearbrook.org.

<b>Grayslake Pumpkin Fest:</b> 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at Central Park Aquatic Fields, 250 Library Lane, Grayslake. Kids' Halloween games and activities, moonwalk, giant slide, Halloween character path, costume contest and more. Rain date Thursday, Oct. 26. $8 on or before Wednesday, Oct. 18; $13 at the door. glpd.com.