Des Plaines Ikes to host Bonfire Bash free and open to all

The Des Plaines Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America is hosting its Bonfire Bash from 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Jefferson House, 1841 S. River Road in Des Plaines. The event is free and open to the public.

Enjoy a campfire, trails, two scavenger hunts, pumpkins, games and crafts outdoors at this beautiful wooded location. Inside there will be bats, snakes and tarantulas presented by Incredible Bats! Refreshments will be served, too. It helps to bring a flashlight and a lawn chair.

The Bonfire Bash, affectionately known as well as the Boo Bash, has been a club favorite for years. The Des Plaines Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America wants to share the joy of the outdoors with others.

The Des Plaines Chapter is one of the country’s oldest and has been inviting others to enjoy and conserve nature since its founding in 1926, so it will soon be celebrating its 100th birthday. It has been housed in the historic Jefferson House on River Road since 1929.

The Izaak Walton League of America is a national organization committed to conservation, preserving fish and wildlife habitats, and clean air and water. The chapter has hosted a Des Plaines Riverbank cleanup with Clean Up — Give Back, programs on beekeeping and birds, and has helped in multiple forest regeneration days with the forest preserves, all of which were open to the public.

In addition to its conservation outreach work, the club hosts an annual turkey party (coming up Nov. 21), a wild game dinner in February, a tea and history event in the spring, and pig roast in summer. Those interested in learning more about the club’s work are welcome to attend any business meeting, held the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the club’s meeting place, the historic Jefferson House, at 1841 S. River Road, Des Plaines. Check out the club’s website at iwla-desplaines.org.