Autumn Harvest Fest debuts pet parade
It's time to celebrate the changing of the seasons at Arlington Heights' annual Autumn Harvest Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at North School Park, Eastman Street and Arlington Heights Road.
Some of the popular family activities will be back this year, including the petting zoo, hayrides, arts and crafts, storytime, face painting, balloon twisters, entertainment, food vendors, a guess the giant pumpkin weight contest and the scarecrow-building contest. The farmers market at Vail Avenue and Fremont Street also will be open during the fest.
The kid-friendly band Little Nashville headlines the entertainment lineup at 1 p.m. Saturday.
One of the new events this year is the pet parade and judging. Registration will begin at 2:30 p.m. Saturday on Eastman Street, in the designated fenced-in area south of North School Park.
Show off your pet's greatest trick or dress them up in a costume and participate in the pet parade from 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday on Eastman Street. Pets can only be entered in one of the following judging categories: best costume, best trick, smallest pet, best groomed or best walk.
Judges will determine a "Best in Show" award winner that will be chosen from the winners selected in the five categories.
Pets must be with an owner at all times and must remain in the fenced-in area. Pets are not allowed to enter North School Park at any time.
Admission to the fest, which is sponsored by the village's Special Events Commission and the Park District, is free.
For information, call (847) 577-3003, ext. 1, or see ahpd.org.
If you goWhat: Autumn Harvest FestivalWhen: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2Where: North School Park, Eastman Street and Arlington Heights Road, Arlington HeightsAdmission: FreeDetails: (847) 577-3003, ext. 1, or ahpd.orgAutumn Harvest entertainment schedule11:30 to noon: Fusion/Synergy12:30 to 1 p.m.: South Middle School1:30 to 2:30 p.m.: Little Nashville2:45 to 3:30 p.m.: Mad Science Fire and Ice Demo3:30 to 4 p.m.: Thomas Middle School Jazz EnsembleFalse11621638Brec Birmingham, then 2, of Arlington Heights eyes an animal he wants to pet in the petting zoo at last year's Autumn Harvest Festival in Arlington Heights.Bob Chwedyk | Staff PhotographerFalse