Fall festival draws crowd to Danada Forest Preserve

Third- and fourth-graders aren't the only ones who enjoy guided tours of Danada Farm in Wheaton.

During the Danada Fall Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 11, the Friends of Danada and Danada Equestrian Center offer visitors both tractor- and horse-drawn hayrides, as well as a horse show; riding demonstrations; stable tours; and horse shoeing, grooming and feeding exhibits. If weather permits, they'll see corn being harvested with a combine.

Kids can pick out a pumpkin to paint, get their own faces painted, play in the straw area and decorate a stick horse.

A bluegrass band plays; food is available for purchase; and a nature art and photo show takes place in the newly re-landscaped Danada House.

Last year's festival draw an estimated 15,000 visitors, said Don Nash, president of Friends of Danada. "It's a fun day," he said.

Admission is free, but nominal fees are charged for some activities.

Danada also offers horse-drawn hay rides during the fall, and sleigh rides in January and February. See danada.info.