Rustic fun in Lake County

In this era of hip-hop and digital technology, there is still an audience for the same rustic fun that entertained an earlier generation.

On Sunday, the Lake County Forest Preserves, the Lake County Discovery Museum and the Lake County Farm Heritage Association celebrated the county's rural roots at the Farm Heritage Festival.

Visitors to the Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda could see live turkeys and calves, watch demonstrations of everything from sheep herding to vintage farm implements, or enjoy an old fashioned wagon ride.

The children had fun rollicking in piles of hay, learning ropemaking, and visiting the petting zoo. Vendors sold pumpkins, gourds and mums.

Jennifer Hunter, a volunteer with the museum, said the event offers visitors a chance to get back to our roots,

"So many kids only know about a grocery store and never know where that food comes from," she said.

Seleena Kuester, museum educator with the Lake County Discover Museum, said, "It's really just a look back and a celebration of the agricultural heritage of the county, which we don't see as much of anymore."

Connoisseurs of farm machines could feast their eyes on a genuine 1927 Case Thresher, replete with wagon wheels, the property of the Lake County Farm Heritage Association. It was used in a demonstration of how oats were processed.

Justin Matulonis of Lindenhurst, whose children were playing in the hay, mentioned another draw.

"It's a lot cheaper than the Lake County Fair," Matulonis said, "and you get a lot of the same stuff."