Enjoy fall colors, crafts and food on the McHenry County Autumn Drive
Twenty-two years ago, Robert Blue and a group of his neighbors decided to take the idea of a "drive-through" to a whole new level.
The Marengo residents decided to open their homes, farms and property to the public and start the McHenry Autumn Drive, a different kind of fall festival that allows visitors to drive along a planned-out route with stops selling fresh produce, crafts, fine art and pottery.
This year is no different. Each location will be home to a variety of different activities, with homemade food and drinks offered along the way. There's a little something for everyone and all the action will happen amid a dazzling display of fall colors and crisp weather in rural McHenry County.
The drive runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This year's drive has 11 different exhibitors, all located along Garden Valley Road, about five miles west of Route 47, and River Road, located just south of Garden Valley Road, in Marengo.
Visitors are welcome to take the drive in any direction that they choose; there is no set course they must follow.
There is no cost to enter the Autumn Drive, but each exhibitor will have food, crafts and other goods for sale.
"Not only do we have crafts, but also fine arts and garage sales and antiques. Our exhibitors sell produce, honey, apple cider, apple butter, coffee, chocolate, popcorn and various sundry things," Blue said.
Blue is a potter and his studio, Blue Eagle Pottery, will serve as a stop along the drive.
"This is really a neighborhood event. We got started 22 years ago thinking, why don't we get some neighbors together and show off our talent?" Blue said of the drive, which is still planned by a group of about five neighbors.
New to the drive this year are Cody's Farm Fresh Vegetables, Simon Says Great Dane Kennel, Garden Valley Farm and The River's Edge Farm exhibits.
Cody's farm, located at 19502 River Road, will feature a four-acre corn maze, fresh produce for purchase - including pumpkins and gourds - and a pumpkin launcher that allows guests to fling pumpkins across a field.
A lunch barn is also planned for one of the stops on the drive. All proceeds from food sales will benefit Faith in Action of McHenry County and the Marengo and Woodstock food pantries.
"Everybody seems to really enjoy the Autumn Drive," neighbor and volunteer Lois Grasser said. "You're out in the county and everything is so different at each farm. I think that's what has kept us successful over the years, the diversity. We're not just an art or pottery show, we're a combination of many, many things.
"I always tell people if they're not interested in what they see at the first stop, keep going. You'll find something you like."
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> The McHenry County Autumn Drive, an annual event that invites visitors to drive along rural McHenry County and stop at participating houses for the chance to buy fresh produce, art, pottery and crafts</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 16, 17 and 18 </p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Garden Valley Road in Marengo, five miles west of Route 47</p> <p class="News"><b>How much?</b> Free</p> <p class="News"><b>Info:</b> <a href="http://autumndrive.net" target="new">autumndrive.net</a></p>