St. Charles stuffs more fun into Scarecrow fest
Model trains, a 50-foot inflatable caterpillar and a haunted house will be among new attractions at the 22nd annual St. Charles Scarecrow Festival.
More than 60,000 people are expected to attend the fall celebration Oct. 5 to 7 across downtown. The St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau hosts the event.
Kathy Loubsky, executive director of the bureau, said new activities will make the fest bigger and better than ever.
"We've just had so many phone calls from people looking to become part of the festival," she said. "We looked around, found the space and thought, 'Why not bring a new dimension?' "
Among the debut events is a free model train show presented by the Valley Model Railroad Club of South Elgin from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the St. Charles VFW Hall, 119 N. Third St.
At Lincoln Park, Route 64 and Fifth Street, the St. Charles Breakfast Rotary Club is displaying a 50-foot-long inflatable caterpillar for children to crawl through.
On the city's east side, there will be a new haunted house, pumpkin jump and obstacle course outside city hall, 2 E. Main St.
Another highlight is a remote-control car racetrack operating from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at a site to be determined.
The festival also returns with its main attraction: the scarecrow contest. Entries from local businesses and groups will be displayed all weekend at Lincoln Park, with festival-goers voting for their favorites.
Attendees also can make their own scarecrows at two locations along Third Street.
Another annual hit is the Autumn on the Fox Art & Craft Show up and down the east side of the Fox River all weekend.
There also will be carnival rides at the corner of Route 31 and Cedar Street, face painting throughout the festival, a petting zoo at Cedar and Fourth streets, and live music nightly at Lincoln Park.
Skydogz, the "amazing flying Frisbee catching canines," perform at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave.
"Every year, we get through this and think it was the best year ever," Loubsky said. "Hopefully we can say the same thing this year."
Free parking is available between Route 64 and Illinois Street on the west side of the Fox River, and along Second and Third avenues on the east side. A free trolley runs 10 and 5 p.m. each day, with stops at five locations throughout downtown.
For a complete schedule, call (630) 377-6161 or go to www.scarecrowfest.com.
If you go
What: 22nd annual St. Charles Scarecrow Festival
When: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 5 and 6; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 7
Where: Downtown St. Charles, including Lincoln Park, city hall, Pottawatomie Park and the east side of the Riverwalk
Admission: Free
Features: Scarecrow contest, craft/art fair, family games, food, model railroad exhibit, haunted house, and live music, among other attractions
Parking: Free between Route 64 and Illinois Street on the west side of the Fox River, along Second and Third avenues to the east. A free trolley will be available between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day, with stops at five locations throughout downtown.
More information: Go to www.scarecrowfest.com or call (630) 377-6161.