Farm tour and bike ride added to St. Charles Scarcrow Fest
The 32nd annual Scarecrow Fest will take place Friday to Sunday, Oct. 6-8, in downtown St. Charles.
All of the signature events that make this fest so unique and memorable will be present, including a full roster of live entertainment and returning popular headliner bands.
New to the fest this year are two groundbreaking attractions. The first is The Greater St. Charles Farm Tour, featuring access to the features and activities of six working farms in the Greater St. Charles service area: Historic Corron Farm, Garfield Farm Museum, Norton Farm, Primrose Farm, St. Charles Farm and The Royal Lusitano.
Also new is the "All Wheels In" Family Bike Ride Extravaganza, starting at local business Sammy's Bikes, 602 S. First St. "All Wheels In" features two custom bike ride adventures: The Family Ride, 12-15 miles of scenic trails along the Fox River; and the Farm Ride, a 38-mile cyclist challenge, perusing the city and countryside of the area from St. Charles to Maple Park.
Four zones of activity will once again frame fest activity.
The Meijer Zone in Lincoln Park will feature cars on display from sponsor Fox Valley Auto Group; and the Scarecrow Contest, presented by St. Charles Bank and Trust and featuring 100-plus scarecrows on display. This year's contest includes six categories: Mechanical, Mega Scarecrows, Clubs and Not-for-Profits, Family, Individuals and the Greater St. Charles Business Category.
The Meijer Zone also is home to the Lincoln Park Entertainment Stage, featuring the fest's hottest entertainment, including headliners bands Rockstar Rodeo, American English and 7th heaven.
The Pheasant Run Resort Zone features the Greater St. Charles Business category Scarecrow Contest entries plus the ever popular Windy City Amusements Carnival, which runs Thursday, Oct. 5, to Sunday, Oct. 8. Wristband specials at $25 will be available daily at key times during the fest.
The Gerald Kia of North Aurora Zone features the Fox Valley Ice Arena Challenge and one of two Make Your Own Scarecrow stations.
And St. Charles' own Baltria Vintage Auto Gallery will again display part of its classic car inventory at the fest. The Baltria Vintage Auto Zone will also feature professionally carved pumpkins, Make Your Own Scarecrow, Glowby the Bubbler, a Petting Zoo, fest T-shirts on sale by local business Button Man printing; and photo op stations featuring classic cars, and appearances from Miss America and Chicago Steel Hockey Team's mascot "Rusty."
Pottawatomie Park will house the ever-popular Autumn on the Fox Arts & Crafts Show, with handmade arts and crafts from more than 150 exhibitors.
At the conclusion of the fest, a celebratory dinner will take place at 6:45 p.m. at The Finery and Blacksmith Restaurant, 305 W. Main St. Chefs & Owners Juliette and David Reyes will create a custom three-course dinner in "Farm-to-table" style, featuring food from local fields.
Admission and parking are free. Fest guests are encouraged to take advantage of the free shuttles from The Quad, formerly Charlestowne Mall, and St. Charles Unit District 303 parking lots. The trolley route will once again extend to Pottawatomie Park.
For details, visit www.ScarecrowFest.com.
If you go
What: St. Charles Scarecrow Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6-7; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8
Where: Main and Fourth streets and along the riverfront, St. Charles
Highlights: More than 150 handcrafted scarecrows (make your own to take home), carnival, petting zoo, live music, food, and Autumn on the Fox arts and crafts show at Pottawatomie Park.
Admission: Free
Details: www.scarecrowfest.com.