Get a history lesson at Wood Dale Harvest Fest

Posted September 09, 2009 11:00 pm

By Sara Hooker

Come for the fun and leave with a little lesson in history at this year's Harvest Fest in Wood Dale.

The Wood Dale Historical Society's annual event runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at Yesterday's Farm Museum, 850 N. Wood Dale Road.

"It's just a nice, easygoing afternoon and it's just very relaxing," said Judi Ryan, who serves as the historical society's publicity manager, grant manager and first vice president.

The fest began in 1972 as a way to draw community members to the museum on an annual basis. It since has evolved and to attract visitors from beyond the Wood Dale city limits.

"There's no charge to get in. We get a big crowd, and we get people from other towns, not just Wood Dale," Curator Ann Morong said.

Children's activities include an 18-foot Scooby-Doo inflatable jump, basketball hoops, a petting zoo and pony rides, a balloon-maker, bubbles and a ball pit.

The day also includes a craft fair, sheep shearing, a raffle booth, a salad auction and a cake walk.

Food options include the popular roasted corn on the cob, brats, hot dogs and nachos and cheese.

This year's festival will be bittersweet for historical society members who just lost one of the festival's biggest champions, lead organizer Joanne Marshall-Hosek.

Marshall-Hosek, who died Sept. 1, was a longtime member of the historical society and served as corresponding secretary and second vice president.

"It's going to remind us all day long," Ryan said. "She's leaving a big hole in our lives."

Ryan lauded her friend of 38 years for her advance planning before her passing that allowed the festival to continue without a hitch.

"She did a very good job, so it's been not so hard to pick up the pieces," Ryan said.

A colonial artist encampment will have demonstrations of several professions of that era, including a surveyor, a paper maker, a trapper, a Scottish highwayman and a cook.

A voyager will tell stories about skinning and trapping animals and demonstrate ax throwing.

The string band Stay Tuned will perform.

"The kids enjoy all the activities, and the adults like it. They can sit anywhere and relax," Ryan said. "Everybody just enjoys everything really."

If you go What: Harvest Fest, organized by the Wood Dale Historical Society When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13 Where: Yesterday's Farm Museum, 850 N. Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale Cost: Free admission; fees for some activities Info: (630) 766-4216 or (630) 595-0360

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