Autumn Fair to be held Saturday at Peck Farm Park

There will be free fun to occupy the kids. Free music to entertain adults.

And if you want to spend a couple of bucks to buy lunch, the money goes to a good cause.

What's not to love about Autumn Fair at Peck Farm Park in Geneva?

The Geneva Park District Foundation's annual party at the nature-oriented park, 38W199 Kaneville Road, is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11.

"It's educational, yet fun at the same time," said Nancy Peterson, a member of the foundation.

Highlights of the day include:

• Presentations by Birds of Prey. The group will bring birds such as hawks, owls and kestrels. After a presentation, presenters will walk around the fair with the birds.

• Sunset Dancers perform at 11 a.m.

• A new group, the Geneva Children's Choir, performs at 11:30 a.m. The choir is a new class at the park district. "So that is going to be real exciting," said Steve Persinger, who is director of the park district and secretary of the foundation.

• Folk singers Phil Nelson and Margaret Cooper will perform from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

• There are hayrides from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

• Artist Jane Wilcoxson, whose work is currently on display in the Orientation Barn, will be there to discuss her work.

• Children can decorate miniature pumpkins.

• And they can hunt for candy in a haystack. "That's always huge," Peterson said.

Admission is free. Money is raised by selling food, T-shirts for kids, and Peck Farm Park souvenirs.

"Then, of course, there are our cows," Persinger said.

They are key players in Cow Chip Bingo. A 30-by-30-foot grid is marked off, and the cows are left to wander it. If they drop a patty on your square, you split the pot with the foundation. Bingo tickets are $5 per square, and can be purchased at the event or at the two Geneva Park District community centers.

The cows come from Hill's Dairy Farm; Brian Hill usually brings two or three cows, and sometimes some calves and pigs. Kids can pet the animals.

As for food, chili cook-off chef Larry Gabriel, parks and properties superintendent, is bringing a third pot this year, in hopes that he won't run out like he did last year.

Hot dogs and bratwurst from Ream's Meat Market in Elburn are also on the menu. Pumpkin slice desserts are from a bakery in Chicago and from Persinger's wife, Sheila. They'll sell cider and soda, and apple cider doughnuts.

You can also roast marshmallows in a fire pit between the Orientation Barn and the observation silo.

"Bottom line, it's a very nice family-oriented day in the park," said Persinger.

"The views are gorgeous. It's very affordable. It gives them an opportunity to come to Peck Farm," said Peterson.

The foundation gave $50,000 for the renovation of the observation silo when the park was being developed. It also partially paid for the park's Butterfly House. Recently, it donated money for restoration of the Stevens Street entrance to Wheeler Park, and has picked up the tab for planting 200 trees throughout the district.

"We try to spread it out throughout the district," Peterson said.

It's Persinger's last Autumn Fair as a Geneva Park District employee. He's retiring in June. But he says he'll be back.

"I'll still volunteer for that day," he said.