Fall glory: Pumpkin Weekends, Paws in the Park

Sweet as it is, the fall season is just too short. Dazzling autumn leaves and their brilliant colors burst onto the scene suddenly, only to be whisked away on the next windy day.

Fortunately, the Fox Valley Park District makes this glorious season last a little longer with its annual Pumpkin Weekends at Blackberry Farm. During every weekend in October plus Columbus Day - nine days in all - fall is celebrated in its full glory.

Already, the leaf-peepers are out and about. The pumpkins are fat and firm. The chilly nights and football tailgate parties confirm fall is here.

"We used to do a Fall Festival in October each year, and it was so popular and well-received that we expanded the event to include every weekend," said Sandie Gilmer, facility supervisor at Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora.

The admission fee includes unlimited rides on the train, carousel, hay wagon and ponies. Paddle boats and the pedal tractor course are open, too, along with full concessions - they're even selling kettle corn.

Take a train ride and visit the pumpkin patch, purchase your own pumpkin and paint it right there at the special decorating station. You figure most of those pumpkins - and the children who decorate them - will be adorned with broad smiles.

And with fall colors as the backdrop, the new and popular Adventure Playground is a great place for the kids to hang and for parents to enjoy watching them have fun.

It's a customized play structure with an extensive network of climbing decks, slides, ropes and catwalk-style bridges connecting an array of playhouses on multiple levels. It also includes a 65-foot zip line that runs between a windmill and a water tower.

Cherish fall while it's here, because know what season is next …

A free dog-day afternoon

Just like their owners, dogs love the great outdoors, especially where there's room to roam. So in 2004, the park district created the Lincoln Park Dog Park to provide an exclusive hangout for pooches on the near west side of Aurora at 259 S. Russell Ave.

The 3-acre park has proved to be a wonderful place to meet and socialize - for people and dogs.

The park's signature event returns Sunday when the annual Paws in the Park festival takes place from noon to 4 p.m. For every dog, the excitement level for this event can be equated to that moment when its owner walks through the door each day.

That means there will be a lot of tail-wagging and happy barking.

This free event, staged in conjunction with the Fox Valley Animal Welfare League, will feature approximately 40 vendors offering dog-related supplies, gifts and information.

Dog contests with prizes will be held, featuring awards for things like longest tail, longest ears, furriest, fastest runner and … a dog-and-owner look-alike award. It's funny, the similarities you find between pets and owners.

Normally, you'd need a park district dog tag to use any of the three dog parks, which also include Stuart Sports Complex and Gregory Island. However, the dog tag requirement will be waived Sunday in lieu of a $1 admission and current rabies tag or certificate from a veterinarian.

Tags will be available for purchase on site - $25 per resident tag and $50 for nonresidents (cash or check; no credit cards). As an added bonus, tags purchased at Paws in the Park will be good for the rest of 2014 and all of 2015.

Your dog(s) will tell you that's a great deal - because every day is a great day to let the dogs out.

• Jeff Long is the public relations manager for the Fox Valley Park District. Contact him at jlong@fvpd.net.