Alexian Village to host second Autumn Gourd Fest

With the help of the Illinois Gourd Society, residents of Alexian Village of Elk Grove planted a variety of gourd seeds last spring.

The ingenuity of Andi Rothenberg, Alexian’s community life manager, resulted in a spacious “Gourd Hut.” Its dimensions easily accommodate a number of hand-pollinators, paint brushes laden with pollen (gathered from male flowers) to be dusted into the center of the female flowers as they open in the evenings.

From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, Alexian Village of Elk Grove will open its doors to the public for the second annual Autumn Gourd Fest. The event brings together a host of renowned gourd artists, as well as other artisans whose wares celebrate the harvest season.

Free and family friendly, the fest has assembled a lively afternoon of entertainment:

Ÿ Aimee Bass and SheBoom, Chicago’s all-woman percussion ensemble featuring the gourd shekere;

Ÿ Mama Edie Armstrong, African storyteller and shekere player;

Ÿ Gourd crafting for all ages;

Ÿ Dried gourds for sale;

Ÿ Artist demonstrations;

Ÿ Scarecrows around the grounds;

Ÿ Lunch and autumn treats for sale;

Ÿ Harvest Bonfire of Thanksgiving concludes the festivities at 4 p.m.

Alexian Village of Elk Grove is at 975 Martha St., in Elk Grove Village, just east of Route 53.

For details, call Andi Rothenberg at (847) 437-8070.

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