Autumn at the Farm a big hit

The locale and events were familiar but the air was about 40 degrees cooler.

The Geneva Park district held its first Autumn at the Farm on Saturday at Peck Farm Park as a replacement for their July event -- Twilight at the Farm -- and the fall fest may become as popular as cow chip bingo.

"Last year, the heat index was near 99 degrees when we had Twilight at the Farm," said Mark Trimble, a member of the Geneva Parks Foundation board. "The turnout was down, but still good considering the conditions.

"But we had to reconsider and we decided to try something different."

"We'll probably continue to have it in autumn," Trimble said. "It's easier for the staff because their summer events are over. But we'll see if the numbers are down."

There was a steady stream of people Saturday and Kathy Green of Geneva would vote to keep the festival in October.

"It's fantastic," said Green, who was with her husband, Pat, and the couple's three small sons. "It's the first time we've been to the festival here. It used to be in the summer, but we stayed away because of the heat and humidity. It's a nice atmosphere for fall."

"It's sad that we can't see butterflies," said Geri Benning of Plano, referring to the butterfly house at Peck Farm Park.

Benning was there with her daughter Riley, 4, and her neighbors.

"But the weather is nicer and it's not as crazy and busy as the summer. This is the lull before the holidays."

Apple cider, pumpkin bars and chili were added to the usual menu of hot dogs and bratwurst, and the chili was gone by 12:30 p.m. (The festival ran from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Autumn decorations of corn husks, pumpkins and scare crows were prominent and families placed children on haystacks for family photos.

The festival featured children's games, mural painting, hay rides, folk music and dance, as well as birds of prey from the Spring Brook Nature Center in Itasca.

Organizers reported that all 800 tickets for the eight games of the ever-popular Cow-Chip Bingo were sold out at $5 a piece.

The game has been played annually at Peck Farm Park for about 10 years.

Children also had a chance to pet several adult cows and two month-old calves.

For information, visit www.genevaparks.org.