South Elgin pumpkin patch a 'hometown' tradition

Some folks resist fall -- clinging to their sandals, shorts, and sunscreen to the bitter end.

This Saturday, South Elgin will embrace autumn with a cornocopia of events.

The ninth annual Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at County Park, near South Plum and South Water streets.

"Pumpkins will be for sale for $1, $2 and $3. They're grown right here in South Elgin and harvested by the village staff," said Kim Wascher, superintendent of the village's parks.

While the main attraction is the selection at the patch, this year's lineup also offers some new twists.

Wascher said the village will host a "Make A Scarecrow" area, complete with donated clothes, plenty of hay and "all the necessities you need to build your own scarecrow."

Pony rides will be offered for $2, and if you buy any sized pumpkin, you get a coupon for a free ride at the Fox River Trolley Museum.

Last year, about 1,000 to 1,500 people came to the festival. Although the harvest usually yields a "couple thousand" pumpkins, it's good to get there early, Wascher said.

Proceeds go to the FUNdation, a not-for-profit group that funds a youth scholarship program for the village's parks department.

For the last nine years, Mike Kenyon has volunteered his time and couple acres of land on his east side South Elgin farm to grow the pumpkins.

Kenyon, who also serves on the Kane County board, said he was disappointed in last year's crop. But this year's yield is a good one, with many large pumpkins.

"I just want to help," Kenyon said. "They do good things with it. It goes to the parks department (FUNdation). It's a good thing to do. We're a 20,000 person city, but it has hometown flavor."

Before the patch opens, the village also will host its Harvest Hustle 7K run and 2-mile fun walk beginning at 8 a.m.

Pre-race registration is $20 for the run and $10 for the walk. A family walk rate or corporate walk rate is $8 per person. Registration on race day is $25 for the run and $15 for the walk. Proceeds support the FUNdation's Youth Scholarship Fund.

For details, call (847) 622-0003 or visit southelgin.com and scroll to the "Parks and Recreation" section.