31st annual Autumn Drive to feature over 150 vendors Oct. 19-21

The 31st annual Autumn Drive is a fall festival for the whole family. On Friday to Sunday, Oct. 19-21, the country colors come alive and our neighborhood turns into an eclectic collection of talents from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Rural Woodstock/ Marengo in McHenry County.

With a leisurely country drive from homes to farms you can discover: antiques, art, crafts, pumpkin patches, apple picking, corn mazes, food, music, and even garage sales and barn sales

Every year one aspect of the fall celebration is featured; this year it is craftsmanship.

Not just the craftsmanship of the farmers' production skills, or an antique restorer taking a battered piece of history and restoring it to new life, but the many artists, fine crafts, country crafts, and holiday decorations sprinkled throughout the festival.

You will discover pottery, fused or stained glass, woodworkers, jewelers, blacksmithing, weaving, textiles, musicians and all manner of holiday decorations for Halloween and Christmas. Many stops are mini craft fairs all by themselves. Creativity is all around the show.

This fall festival can also offer wagon rides to a pumpkin patch or apple fields where you can pick your own apples right from the trees or pumpkins in the fields. Six local farms are offering fall produce like squash, food stuffs, Indian corn, honey, jams, soaps, and vinegars. Also experience tractor rides, petting zoos, pig races, and even pumpkin and apple launchers

Many stops will have food from the grill or kitchen.

The "Best Kettle Corn in the Midwest" can be found at the historical building called Perkins Hall in a small village called Franklinville. At the "Lunch Barn," the Boy Scouts of Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock will be selling brats and hot dogs.

Over 25 stops (with more than 150 vendors) will amaze and excite the senses with fall sights, sounds, and the chills of the season

Several stops have invited nonprofits and charities to promote their activities. The McHenry County Historical Society and local church groups of McHenry County have stops or booths.

Helping Paws Animal Shelter will have animals to pet and adopt.

There are bake sales for high school sports and don't forget about the apple doughnuts. Parking and most activities are free and the few stops that charge for some activities give a discount to veterans

For more details, maps, and stories, check out the website at www.autumndrive.net. Follow at www.facebook.com/autumndrive.