Go hog wild Nov. 3 at From Hog House to Smokewhouse

Help prepare Spring Valley for winter!

The annual From Hog House to Smokehouse, sponsored by Whole Foods Market, will be held from noon to 4 p.m., Nov. 3 at Spring Valley's Volkening Heritage Farm, 201 S. Plum Grove Road. The event is an authentic portrayal of how 1880s farm families preserved meat raised on the farm for consumption during winter months.

“Visitors will see how livestock is processed from birth with the intention of becoming food and other useful items for a whole family,” said Dave Brooks, Schaumburg Park District's manager of conservation services. “The event provides a portrayal that is historically authentic and educational for modern visitors who are accustomed to seeing meat neatly packaged for sale at the grocery store and often have little knowledge of how it got there.”

Using traditional methods and recipes, authentically dressed interpreters will make sausage, show salt-cured meat and explain how every part of the pig was used. Bacon lovers also will learn how their favorite food is made. Children's activities will take place throughout the day. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. An area farmer will sell his farm's naturally raised pork and beef products at the event.

Admission is $2 per person and $8 per family of six or fewer with additional members $2 each. Children ages 3 and younger are free. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

Parking is available at Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road. A free wagon shuttle is available to Heritage Farm.

For more information, call (847) 985-2100 or visit www.parkfun.com.