Moms spend their day living history at Blackberry Farms

On a beautiful spring day, families from across the region spent Mother's Day outdoors at Blackberry Farms in Aurora enjoying a little live music from a local musician.

Some of the families were there to get the children outside and active. Others spent the day honoring their family's females. And still others, such as Montgomery resident Jill Larson, just wanted to enjoy a day without having to worry about housework and, as she put it, to avoid going "stir crazy."

"It's good to get out of the house so I don't have to clean," she said with a laugh.

Regardless of what brought them there, all agreed it was a nice way to spend time together on Mother's Day.

"We're here to show appreciation for everything she does," said Jill's husband, Jeff Larson, as he sat next to the couple's 18-month old daughter, Janae.

The Larsons found out about the event from a Facebook group and decided Sunday morning to attend.

Blackberry Farms is part of the Fox Valley Park District and includes a living history town setting that allows families to see the inner workings of 19th-century life. Many families took the mini-train rides and rode the ponies.

In front of the local feed store, Sugar Grove musician Joe Gloor performed some classic tunes on his acoustic guitar. As he did, children and parents danced and watched. Maria Graham of DeKalb watched as her two-year-old son, Matteo spun, fell and popped right back up.

"You can just let loose and let the kids do their thing," she said. "I get a lot of joy in watching them be happy."

While the Grahams and Larsons enjoyed time with their immediate family, another family brought four generations of females to Blackberry.

"We were looking for a place that's good for the kids," said Heidi Gorajczyk, who was there with her mother, Lois Schumann, her daughter Holly Durst and Holly's four children, Ema, Noa, Tia and Zoe. "It's fun but educational."