Magic at Saturday's Autumn Harvest in Arlington Heights
A former teacher, principal, and superintendent of schools joins the lineup for Saturday's Autumn Harvest festival in Arlington Heights - as a magician.
Melvin Brown retired from the academic world more than 10 years ago, closing out his 28-year career in education as superintendent of schools in the small community of Hatfield, Ark.
However, he didn't hang up his hat.
Brown will be wearing his signature Herringbone tweed beret for his appearance at the festival at North School Park, but he brings out a black top hat for one of his best magic tricks, featuring a white sponge rabbit.
Between his rabbit effect and his cups and balls routine - his two most requested tricks - Brown figures to keep audience members stumped, both young and old.
"Magic is actually so simple," Brown says. "We use simple reasoning to fool people, so the easiest people to fool are the most intelligent."
Brown is just one in a full lineup of attractions taking place at the free family festival. Other events include a scarecrow building contest, a Harvest Hunt scavenger hunt, a hayride through the neighborhood, pony rides, a petting zoo, balloon twisters, an arts and crafts tent, food vendors and continual musical entertainment.
Organizers estimate the event draws up to 3,000 people throughout the afternoon, with hundreds of families spreading out across the park at any one time. Now in its 18th year, they aim to give them plenty of fall-themed activities to make it a family outing.
"We want to have a little something around every corner," says Dave Shindoll, chairman of the Special Events Commission in Arlington Heights. "Much of it remains the same year after year, but each time, we try and add a new attraction."
Particularly this year, Shindoll adds, his committee felt it was important to stretch the entertainment value, given that the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce decided not to bring back their chili cook-off.
The taste testing and networking event, traditionally picked up at 4 p.m. where the autumn festival left off, and took patrons from the late afternoon into the evening hours.
"We knew we needed to add more entertainment in the late afternoon," Shindoll said.
The interactive magic act, they figured was one that could bridge generations.
Brown says he began doing magic more than 30 years ago, and even brought it into his classroom. It sparks children's curiosity and reasoning powers, he says, but he makes it a point to perform for adults, figuring then the children will enjoy it as well.
This will be Brown's first appearance in Illinois and his 41st state he will have performed, in his goal to play all 50 states.
Some of his most memorable include the Route 66 Hoot 'n' Scoot festival in Sayre, OK; the New Jersey Seafood Festival, and Hot Dog Festival in Frankfurt, IN.
Brown says he looks forward to checking out a traditional Midwestern harvest festival, and all of the families it draws.
<p class="factboxtext12col">Arlington Heights Autumn Harvest</p> <p class="factboxtext12col">11 a.m.-4 p.m. in North School Park, Eastman Street at Arlington Heights Road</p> <p class="factboxtext12col">All day: Roving magician Melvin Brown</p> <p class="factboxtext12col">11 a.m.-2 p.m. Scarecrow Building Contest</p> <p class="factboxtext12col">11 a.m.-3 p.m. Petting zoo and pony rides</p> <p class="factboxtext12col">11 a.m.-4 p.m. Harvest Hunt (scavenger hunt) </p> <p class="factboxtext12col">11:30 a.m. Fusion Dance Company and Synergy Dance Company, from Arlington Hts. Park District dance program</p> <p class="factboxtext12col">Noon-3 p.m. Hayrides</p> <p class="factboxtext12col">12:30 p.m. South Middle School Concert Band</p> <p class="factboxtext12col">1:30 p.m. Little Nashville; family focused band specializing in country music.</p> <p class="factboxtext12col">2:45 p.m. Mad science demonstration; fire and ice</p> <p class="factboxtext12col">3:30 p.m. Thomas Middle School Jazz Ensemble.</p>