Autumn Celebration
Saturday, October 18th, 2008
10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Enjoy a day exploring the beauty of Funks Grove while listening to music
 and taking part in some old-fashioned autumn fun! 

MUSIC
Free Entertainment On-stage All Day

 The Emerald Underground
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.


Springfield’s finest Celtic band will be performing on stage
with a presentation of beautiful, upbeat Celtic fusion.

Illinois Rail
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

 
Enjoy a local bluegrass band which plays traditional, contemporary, original music.

Fall Color Walks

Learn why leaves change color & what species live in Funks Grove!

OLD-FASHIONED AUTUMN FUN

Scarecrow Factory

Select an outfit and start stuffing!

Pumpkin Patch

Visit our pumpkin patch and choose your favorite to take home and carve…
or stop by and decorate it at the pumpkin salon! 

Pumpkin Salon

Using natural materials, give your pumpkin a cool hairdo, add a nut or two, create a scary or funny face, or make it look like YOU!

Pumpkin Bowling


Have you ever wanted to bowl with a pumpkin?! Now's your chance!

FOOD

     Vendors will be on site serving up tasty Treats including Fried Veggies, elephant ears, French fries, pork chops and Much More!!  Hot cider, caramel Apples & other seasonal treats will be available too!

ARTS, CRAFTS, AND DEMONSTRATIONS

     Be sure to visit the talented artists and crafters around the nature center where you will find felted wool items, jewelry, herbal products, hand-carved walking sticks, & nature photography just to name a few!

  Blacksmith & Wood-turning Demonstrations


Members of the Illinois Valley Blacksmith’s Association will be working in the forge.  Children are invited to stop by for their very own hand-forged horseshoe nail.  The Central Illinois Woodturners will be “lathing away” in the picnic shelter. Both groups will have handmade items for sale.

Step Back In Time

Visit with buckskinners fleshing & bucking hides, and roasting venison.  Meet with historical reinactors featuring a medicine show, trading post, and open hearth cooking.  Visit with a cooper, carver, doll maker and quilter.

Sugar Grove Observatory Open House

Visit the observatory for a tour and meet members of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers. 

Corn Crib

The best view of the Grove in autumn may just be from the corn crib.
Enter the crib and turn left…it’s definitely worth a peek. 

Admission is $2/person ages three and up; members receive four free activity tickets.

Please Note: In order to make things easier for the many generous nature center volunteers, we have established a ticket system for the activities, pumpkins, and our seasonal treats.  Tickets are available at the tram drop-off and in the nature center. Artisans, crafters, and commercial vendors will only accept cash. For questions regarding this event please call 309.874.2174 or email infosugargrovenc@earthlink.net.