Wheeling Park District notes

Fall Festival: The Wheeling Park District will host the annual Fall Festival from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Heritage Park adjacent to the Community Recreation Center at 333 W. Dundee Road in Wheeling. Admission to the family event is free, although a fee may be charged for some food concessions and selected activities.

For the kids, pony and hay rides and a petting zoo, giant children's inflatables and plenty of crafts, activities and games will be provided. Children also may bring a kite or make one at the event for the Illinois Association of Park Districts Kite Fly at the Fall Festival. Bingo, food and music will be available for all ages.

A Baggo Tournament will be held for adults from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Registration is free, but space is limited. Sign up in advance by calling the park district. Gift certificates to local restaurants will be awarded to the first- and second-place winners in the single-elimination tournament.

Fall Fest 5K and 10K races: The Wheeling Park District will start the fall season with the annual Fall Fest 5K race and a new 10K race at 10 a.m. Sunday. The races start and finish at Heritage Park, adjacent to the Community Recreation Center, and comply with all Chicago Area Runners Association standards. The morning also will feature a 5K family walk beginning at 10:10 a.m. No dogs or strollers are allowed in the run, but they are welcome in the walk.

Advance registration is being taken at the CRC, Monday through Sunday during regular business hours, or at www.signmeup.com.

Fees are $20 for the 5K, $25 for the 10K and $15 for the walk. Race-day registration will be accepted starting at 8 a.m. at the CRC; add $5 to the fees for race-day registration.

Water will be provided along the racecourse through the neighborhoods of Wheeling, with time splits at each mile. Food and drinks will be available to participants at the finish line.

All participants receive a race shirt. In addition to the overall male and female winners, first-, second- and third-place finishers in each age group for men and women will receive awards. Race results will be available after the race via a link on www.wheelingparkdistrict.com and at www.racetime.info.

For more information about the Fall Fest 5K/10K, call race director Michelle Hansen at (847) 465-7778.

Fall into Fitness: As part of the "Fall into Fitness" event, the Wheeling Park District Fitness Center is offering a variety of special deals during October to encourage the community to adopt healthy habits.

Anyone who is not currently a member of the Fitness Center is invited to come in for a free one-week pass. The Fitness Center offers a variety of state-of-the-art equipment and knowledgeable staff.

In addition, guests can try one Group Exercise Fitness Class at the Wheeling Park District Community Recreation Center for free through Oct. 31. A variety of land and water group exercise classes are offered Monday through Saturday. Check the Group Exercise schedule online at www.wheelingparkdistrict.com or come into the Fitness Center for more information.

Morning and evening classes include AquaFit, Aqua Arthritis, Zumba, SalsaAerobics, Step, Strength and Stretch, Kickboxing with Yoga, BoSU, Rock Bottom Strength Training, Step Express, Core Balance, and Strength and Step.

Working with a nationally certified personal trainer will be less expensive during October at the Wheeling Park District Fitness Center. Save 10 percent on all individual, partner or small-group personal training packages.

For more information, call (847) 465-3333 or visit the Web site at www.wheelingparkdistrict.com.