The festival offers many opportunities for students, faculty, the community and the Center. It allows ISU horticulture and agriculture students to engage in alternative agriculture, and also provides opportunities to build relationships throughout the community as several businesses or groups have offered to participate at the event. The event also serves as a fundraiser for the Horticulture Center as it sells many of the fall amenities it has grown this past season. Those include over 40 varieties of pumpkins, gourds, and squash as well as Indian corn, mums, and corn stalks.
The event starts with a Bird Stroll with Dr. Capparella at 8:00am at Heartland Community College. Dr. Capparella requests that everyone rendezvous at the southeastern parking area at HCC which is by the eastern entrance off of Raab Road (the one without a stoplight). We can then walk to the trailhead from there. Our walks usually last two hours, but you can leave whenever you need to, or want to. Bring binoculars and a field guide; and wear boots or shoes that are sturdy. Two of our favorite field guides are the Sibley Field Guide to Birds / Eastern North America by David Sibley and Peterson's Field Guide to Eastern Birds by Roger Tory Peterson. If you are new to bird watching, these fall walks are a great way to learn about local and migrating birds.
This year the public will be able to park on either the west or east side of the Center. The pumpkin patch and corn maze are located on the west side. Exhibitors, Scarecrows on Parade, the Nutraceutical Garden and the food stand will be located on the east side. Parents: the Horticulture Center has some rough terrain. Wagons and strollers may be difficult to push or pull at times. Back or front packs are highly recommended. There is also a short walk to the pumpkin patch and to the activity site from the parking area.
Family Activities:
- 9am - noon: There will be free children's activities under the big white tent. These activities are sponsored by the Children's Discovery Museum, the Ecology Action Center, the Normal Public Library's Children's Department, University of Illinois Extension McLean County Master Gardeners, Illinois Ag in the Classroom,and the ISU Horticulture Center.
- Reggie the Redbird will come for a visit sometime in the morning.
- Toddler Maze: free and open all day. Toddlers can scrambled in and out of small straw bales.
- Corn Maze: $1.00 - We have a corn maze that kids of all ages can get lost in!
"Scarecrows on Parade"
This exhibition of original, one- of-a kind scarecrows is an opportunity for local businesses, organizations, university departments, individuals or families to showcase their own unique work or talent while at the same time capturing the flavor of the autumn season in central Illinois.
“Scarecrows on Parade” is a fundraiser for the Children’s Garden at the Horticulture Center. Scarecrows will be auctioned off in a silent auction process from 9am-2pm. Scarecrows may then be taken home by the highest bidder and used as autumnal decoration in their own yards!
A limited amount of food and drink will be available throughout the day..
Please contact us (see home page) with any questions regarding the festival. See you on October 3rd!