Enjoy fall colors at River Trails Fall Festival Sunday

Posted October 17, 2014 1:01 am

Submitted by Cook County

Over the next two weeks, trees across the Chicago region will hit peak fall color. One of the most dramatic places to see the leaves change is at River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook. The center's free fall festival is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, at 3120 N. Milwaukee Ave.

"The fall season is a wonderful time to enjoy the crayon box of colors in the 69,000 acres of Cook County forest preserves," said River Trail Nature Center Director Sue Holt.

Along the Des Plaines River, trails wind through stands of sugar maples that turn bright golds, oranges and reds every fall. Aside from maples, hickories turn a deep mustard yellow and oaks turn deep reds, oranges and browns. Grasses and forbs turn to gold, wine-red and chocolate brown. And there are still fall wildflowers in bloom, including asters, goldenrods and gentians.

The festival will include beekeeping demos, honey, hay rides, birds of prey demonstrations, fall color walks, live music, craft projects and pumpkin painting.

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