Morton Arboretum celebrates autumn with annual Fall Color Festival
With thousands of trees from 40 countries dotting the Morton Arboretum's sprawling, forested acreage, it's small wonder it takes the entire month of October to celebrate the fall color show.
"October is really the heart of our fall season. I would say this is one of our busiest times of the year," said Jenelle Hardtke, special events manager at the arboretum, 4100 Route 53 in Lisle. "People really love the beauty and vibrant hues."
The Fall Color Festival features walking theatrical plays, a 5K race, a trail decorated with scarecrows, children's activities, educational programs, a cider and ale fest, a bulb sale and artistic demonstrations and exhibits.
A Sherlock Holmes mystery will unfold along a one-mile route during 3 p.m. performances each Saturday and Sunday. Performed by the ArranmoreArts Professional Ensemble, the show is based on "A Scandal in Bohemia," a short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
"You are hiking and watching," Hardtke said. "They are doing theater with nature as a backdrop."
The ninth annual Glass Pumpkin Patch exhibit runs Oct. 9-13.
The exhibit features more than 6,000 pieces of glass from 20 artists. It turns into a sale at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, and visitors may purchase the artworks through the sale's conclusion Sunday, Oct. 13.
In some cases, shoppers will be able to see their new acquisition as it is being handmade.
Glass blowing demonstrations will be available from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 9-11 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 12 and 13. Hardtke said those pieces then will be put up for sale.
The 5K Color Run starts at 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, followed by a Kids' Dash at 9:30 a.m.
The 16th annual event follows a scenic, rolling course, Hardtke said.
Race registration fees include admission to the arboretum.
The Cider and Ale Fest brings a variety of hard ciders and seasonal beers to the arboretum Saturday, Oct. 19. The tasting event is restricted to adults 21 and older and designated driver tickets are available.
Children are invited to the Boo Breakfast Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Ginkgo Restaurant. Hardtke said visitors are encouraged to wear costumes and meet the costumed characters, which will include the Snow Queen and a Jedi warrior.
Games and crafts for kids will be available in the children's garden from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through the Trick or Trees program, where kids will plant a tree to take home. Costumes are welcome and pumpkins will be available for purchase.
Hardtke said food and drink vendors will offer seasonal fare such as apple cider, caramel apples and kettle corn throughout the Fall Color Festival.
The fest also includes a Scarecrow Trail, open from 7 a.m. to sunset every day in October and featuring more than 30 scarecrows created by Scout troops that are on display around Meadow Lake near the Visitors Center.
Gardeners already preparing for spring, meanwhile, will find bulbs for purchase at the arboretum store through Oct. 31.
And, of course, the arboretum's countless trees will be putting on their own display at the whims of Mother Nature. The arboretum posts an updated fall color report on its website at mortonarb.org.
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Fall Color Festival
Where: Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle
When: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 31
Admission: $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, $10 for children ages 2-17 and free for kids 1 and younger
Info: mortonarb.org