Cantigny Park to host Fall Festival on Saturday

Wheaton's Cantigny Park will salute the season Saturday with its annual Fall Festival, a one-day event that features hayrides, a craft sale, entertainment, a children's book sale, children's activities, and plant and pumpkin sales.

"Our greenhouse pretty much empties out. There are some potted displays that are really pretty," said Magan Ascher, director of visitor services at the park, 1S151 Winfield Road.

Ascher said the plant sale is a wish come true for many visitors. Greenhouse staff members will be on hand to answer questions about how to nurture and care for purchases.

This year, more than 70 craft fair vendors will offer a variety of goods, from jewelry to kids' toys to products made with Michigan cherries, she said. Most of the offerings are handmade and fashioned from natural ingredients and will include woodworking, tea, botanical treats, bamboo plants and mittens.

New this year is a chance for visitors to make wax sculptures via a hand waxing attraction. The cost is $3.

"They dip your hand in wax. They can make it in different colors. Some people will take both hands together and make a heart," Ascher said.

For children, there will be free inflatable rides, face painting for $3 per child and petting zoo admittance available for $1. Zoo visitors can greet horses, goats and a variety of other animals. For an additional $1 fee, children can purchase food to feed the animals.

A children's book sale will be presented at the Usborne Book Fair.

"They set up a whole display inside the visitors center and they have a ton of kids' books," Ascher said.

Ascher said hayrides will be available for a $1 charge. For $3, visitors can purchase and decorate a pumpkin. Ceramic pumpkins that can be painted also will be available, she said.

Ascher said the world's tallest scarecrow, a costumed character on stilts, will amble through the crowds, pausing for juggling and comedy shows at noon and 2 p.m.

The main stage will host the Squiggle Monster kids' show from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a 1 p.m. performance by Ear Candy, a cover band, she said.