Antique equipment, crafts on tap at Farm Heritage and Harvest Festival

The Lake County Farm Heritage and Harvest Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake.

The Lake County Farm Heritage Association and the Lake County Fair Association have teamed up to present a fun weekend celebrating Lake County's historic agricultural heritage.

The Farm Heritage Association will present dozens of antique tractors, a sawmill, a threshing machine, wool spinning, rope-making and other demonstrations, plus barrel rides and hayrides. Other attractions include a 4H Petting Zoo and family activities, tractor pulling and vendors offering fall produce and home decor.

Renowned artist Greg Butauski from Rock On Ice Pumpkin Carving will create fun works of art to display both days. For examples of his work, visit www.rockonice.com/pumpkin-carving.html.

Ongoing live music and square dancing will create a fun backdrop all weekend long. Musical entertainment will include the vintage western swing of the The Westerlees and acoustic covers and originals from the Smooth Operators on Saturday, and county music by Mandy Z & Rural Route One on Sunday.

For the past 24 years the Farm Heritage Association brought their antique tractors, farm equipment and working farm displays to Lakewood Forest Preserve for the public to see. Moving to the Lake County Fairgrounds this year brings the opportunity to create a year-round presence and one central venue where preserving the local farming culture is the focus.

The location offers the chance to include educational attractions like the "Ag Adventure" presented by the Lake County Farm Bureau and the Lake County Beekeepers, as well as live music, a beer garden, food vendors, children's activities, the Silly String Asylum, Knocker Ball and Pumpkin Bowling.

All activities take place rain or shine, inside and outside the Lake County Fairgrounds Expo Hall at 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Proceeds benefit the sponsoring not-for-profit organizations producing the event. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6-12, and free for children 5 and under.

For information, visit lcfair.com.