Stuffed full of fall fun

The St. Charles Scarecrow Festival returns this weekend for its 22nd year, and organizers are promising an event bigger and better than ever.

Aside from festival mainstays -- a scarecrow-building contest, rides, food, etc. -- a new model railroad show debuts, and there will be car shows, remote-control racing and new children's activities, among other additions.

Here's a guide to help you navigate the downtown event, expected to draw more than 60,000 people.

The basics

When: Everything gets rolling at 9 a.m. Friday and continues through 6 p.m. Sunday.

Where: The festival will be spread across 11 spots downtown, with the bulk of activities planned for Lincoln Park at the corner of West Main (Route 64) and Fourth streets. See the schedule in this section for specific event locations, or go to www.scarecrowfest.com for a detailed map.

Park:: The majority of parking will be available south of Main Street, with lots and garages accessible from First, Second, Third Fourth and Walnut streets on the west side of the Fox River; and First, Second, Third and Fourth avenues to the east. A free parking shuttle also will pick up festival goers Saturday and Sunday at the Valley Shopping Center, 15th and West Main streets, and Thompson Middle School, Seventh and Main streets. A free trolley will run between festival areas.

How much: The Scarecrow Festival is free to attend, although some activities, foods and vendor items are available for purchase.

New this year

Railroad show: The Valley Model Railroad Club of South Elgin will display its collection from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the St. Charles VFW Post 5039, 119 N. Third St. The show will include a "Thomas the Tank Engine" exhibit.

Giant caterpillar: The St. Charles Breakfast Rotary Club will have a 50-foot-long inflatable caterpillar set up for children to explore at Lincoln Park.

Huge slide: An 18-foot fire-truck slide, firehouse dog, rock climbing wall and miniature golf course will be up at the lot across from the fire station, at Cedar and First avenues.

Haunted house: The parking lot at city hall, 2 E. Main St., will be abuzz with spooky activities, including a haunted house, pumpkin jump and obstacle course.

Relaxation stations: Give your feet a rest on rocking chairs and porch swings provided by the Deck Yard. The "relaxation stations" will be set up across downtown.

Remote races: A 20-foot by 30-foot remote-control racetrack will be open from 9 to 5 p.m. Saturday on Third Street, north of Main Street. The track is open to children and adults.

Corvette show: The Fox Valley Corvette Club will display its goods each day at First and Cedar streets. There also will be smaller, "pedal-powered" Vettes for future drivers to check out.

Festival mainstays

Carnival: Rides this year will be along North Second Street (Route 31), between Cedar and State streets. Residents and businesses are invited to a sneak peek from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, when armbands for unlimited rides will be available for $16. The armbands also will be available from noon to 4 p.m. Friday. The carnival is open from noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Scarecrow contest:: Judging for the scarecrow-building contest will be daily at Lincoln Park. Scarecrows made by businesses, residents and local organizations will be judged by festival goers all weekend, with winners to be announced at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Build your own: The popular Make Your Own Scarecrow event will be spread out at various locations on Saturday and Sunday.

Arts and crafts: The Autumn on the Fox Art & Craft Show, including 200 vendors in three locations, is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The show will be behind the police department, 2 State Ave.; along the east bank of the Fox River; and at Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave.

Shopping: There will be special events, food and promotions along Second Avenue and surrounding areas in the Century Corners Historic Shopping District.

On stage: Live music, performers and demonstrators will strut their stuff all weekend on the Main Stage at Lincoln Park (see full schedule).

Skydogz: A "high-energy" Frisbee dog show featuring Skydogz is at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Pottawatomie Park.

Entertainment schedule

Main stage entertainment gears up at 10 a.m. Friday and continues through 6 p.m. Sunday at Lincoln Park. Here's a day-by-day guide:

Friday

10-11 a.m. Popeye and Sweetpea Amazing Canine Act

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Juggler Jason Kollum

1-2 p.m. Third Street Dance Academy dancers

2:30-3:30 p.m. Home Town rock band

4-5 p.m. Caozz rock/funk band

6-9 p.m. Od Tapo Imi, steel drums and vocals act

Saturday

9-10 a.m. Thompson Middle School Fiddlers

10-11 a.m. XSport Fitness show

11 a.m.-12 p.m. Glen Murshel 12-string acoustic guitar variety show

12-1 p.m. Juggler Jason Kollum

1-2 p.m. Magic and science with Steve Belliveau

2-2:45 p.m. St. Charles School of Dance

3-3:45 p.m. XSport Fitness workout demonstration

4-5 p.m. Paul Avers, bluegrass

6-9 p.m. New Invaders, 60s music

Sunday

10-11 a.m. Cheer Alliance cheerleading and tumbling

11 a.m.-12 p.m. Brazilian song man Paul Willaert

12-1:30 p.m. Bob Doszak Orchestra

2-3 p.m. Magic with Steve Belliveau

3:30-6 p.m. Blooze Brothers, tribute to the Blues Brothers