FALL FUN INTO
AUTUMN-WINTER ACTIVITY GUIDE 2021
A PUBLICATION OF
Rock Valley Publishing
Top fun things to do in October in Beloit Page 2
2021 FALL FUN GUIDE
Things to do in October in Beloit are abundant, and there is something for everyone. With leaves in full color, October is the perfect time for a getaway to this charming city. Whether you are looking for a romantic escape or a family getaway, Beloit’s exciting and unique events, natural attractions, downtown shops, and restaurants will make for an unforgettable Midwestern vacation.
Take a 5K, 10K, or Ultra Run through Big Hill Park • Oct. 26 Take your trail running to the next level in picturesque Big Hill Park near the Rock River. The 5K will complete one loop, the 10K will complete two loops, and the Ultra runners will attempt to complete as many loops as they can in an eight-hour time limit. While this is certainly not an “easy” course, it can still be a great choice for your first trail 5K, 10K, or Ultra—if you’re up for the challenge to climb the Big Hill.
Downtown Beloit’s Annual Halloween Parade and Party • Oct. 26 Show off your little one’s costume in a parade down Grand Avenue and trick or treat at Downtown Beloit businesses during the last Farmers’ Market of the season. The fun includes live music, entertainment, carnival rides, and activities for all ghouls and goblins.
Apple Hut Orchard
Things to do in October in Beloit are abundant. Take a ride out in the country and stop at one of the most popular orchards in the region. Enjoy fresh air, fresh apples, turnovers, caramel apples and best cider cider donuts anywhere. Enjoy apples and apple cider donuts at Apple Hut Orchard. At Apple Hut Orchard, you can pick from more than a dozen varieties of apples. In addition to apples, you can purchase apple pies, pastries, caramel apples, donuts, pumpkin bread, apple cinnamon bread, apple cider, jams and honey in the store. Hours: Tuesday through Sunday until Halloween. Please Note: Cash Only. Apple Hut Orchard 1718 W Walters Road Beloit, Wis. 53511 608-362-1961 Double B Farm Country Store & Café 2777 S. Brostuen Rd. (608) 921-0293
Historic downtown Beloit Enjoy the crisp Fall air and spend some time in Beloit’s award-winning downtown. Downtown Beloit boasts early 20th-century architecture, seasonal artwork, and is all about charm and supporting local businesses. With more than 30 shops and 20 restaurants including an old-time candy shop offering homemade chocolates, retro candies and
gourmet popcorn, you’ll have fun exploring.
Downtown Beloit Farmers’ Market The Downtown Beloit Farmers’ Market is another special occasion that Beloiters are proud of. It is currently the second-largest market in the state—second only to Madison. The Market continues to grow with more than 100 vendors weekly. Items include local produce, organics, baked goods, honey, and jams & jellies. Shoppers will also find bedding plants, fish, meat, eggs & cheese, fresh flowers, artisan crafts, scents & skin care. In addition to shopping, you can treat yourself to the food trucks serving a variety of ethnic foods and seafood. Live music will keep you entertained as you wander past the shops, and there are plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy as well. The open-air market is held rain or shine and bursts at the seams every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May through October.
Paddle on Turtle Creek or the Rock River Paddling and kayaking in Beloit and the surrounding area is amazing. Beloit is halfway on the Rock River Trail and has beautiful landscape and wildlife—perfect for water sports. The Rock River Trail is a National Water Trail also offers 10 other trails to discover. It winds its through Wisconsin and Illinois, 11 scenic counties, and 41 charming communities. The trail is also utilized to promote
recreational use and areas of scenic and historic interest and significance. In addition, Beloit has access to Turtle Creek and the Rock River. Spend a leisurely day kayaking the Turtle Creek that winds for miles from the oldest five-arch stone bridge in Wisconsin—Tiffany Bridge—built in 1869.
Big Hill Park & Welty Environmental Center Hike one of the most scenic sites in Beloit at Big Hill Park, which lies north of the city on the bluffs of the river and offers spectacular views of the Rock River. This 190-acre park has plenty of nature and hiking trails, an environmental education center, sheltered picnic area and a playground. Get active and play softball, sand volleyball or simply take in the scenic autumn views. In addition to the park, you can visit Welty Environmental Center. The center offers environmental education for all ages in the Stateline region, from pre-K through adults. Groups including schools, scouts, homeschool, 4-H and more are welcome. Annual festivals celebrating the natural world, along with school and public programs are offered year-round. In addition to programming, they host several events throughout the year including Maple Sugar Fest, Dirty Dash, Ultra Run, and more. Regular center hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Please call ahead as staff my be offsite with programs. Welty Environmental Center
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Jarrett Prairie Center Museum features exhibits, other amenities Visit the Jarrett Prairie Center Museum that boasts amazing views of the Jarrett Prairie Nature Preserve along with more than 4,000 square feet of exhibits and hands-on learning opportunities for visitors of all ages. There are several large natural history and historical dioramas, fossil exhibits, prairie restoration information, an interactive prairie agriculture exhibit that allows visitors to design their own farm, and some live exhibits including box turtles, a fox snake, and honey bees. Visitors can relax in the Byron Bank Immersive Theater while learning about local prairie ecology. The ever popular Wolf Den bur oak tree exhibit is located in the theater for all of the little ones to enjoy climbing in and out and through, finding what may live inside our bur oak trees! Visitors can take a step out on the 2,600 square-foot wrap-around outdoor observation deck to take
a look at the scenery for miles as the Jarrett Prairie Center is located on the third highest point in Ogle County. The deck also enhances the already unique space for those who rent the facilities for family gatherings, weddings, and other social and corporate events. Also available for rental groups is a stateof-the-art kitchen area sponsored by Prairie Forge Group of St. Charles, Ill. who served as architects for the 2016 museum renovation project. OSF Medical Group was also a generous sponsor of the renovation. Jarrett Prairie Center is located at 7993 North River Road, Byron,
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Sunday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours may vary due to private rentals. For more information call 815-234-8535 x200.
Heritage Farm: An early country experience In 1843, Charlie Wilbur and his family came from New York and settled across the river from Byron, Ill. The farm, which is now called Heritage Farm, remained in the Wilbur family for five generations. The Byron Forest Preserve has restored the farm buildings, so that future generations can discover what early country life was about. You can enjoy a free self-guided tour through the grout house. Take a peek in the barns at the local “residents.” A small fee may be charged for guided tours. School field trips and group tours are encouraged. Children and adults can learn how to make cornbread over the fire and “churn” their own butter for it. Yum! When in season, groups learn about maple syrup and honey production and bottling too. Heritage Farm is located at the Byron Forest Presreve, 8059 North River Road, Byron, Ill. MUSEUM HOURS Open daily (April 1 – Oct. 31) Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday 2 to 6 p.m. Please call 815-234-8535 x217 to setup a tour.
View distant wonders at J. Weiskopf Observatory The J. Weiskopf Observatory, with its 11” Celestron reflecting telescope, is available for public viewing and special programs at the Byron Forest Preserve, next to the Jarrett Prairie Center. During the weekly free public viewing sessions, experienced staff will guide you through the night skies. Visitors will see the planets, the moon, and fainter objects in the sky. Special events and programs are offered as amazing events take place in our skies like meteor showers, solar and lunar eclipses, and when a planet is easily visible. OBSERVATORY HOURS Every Saturday (all year round): Opens 1/2 hour after sunset and closes three hours after sunset Every Tuesday (June, July, August): Opens 1/2 hour after sunset and closes three hours after sunset Phone General Info – 815-234-8535 x200 Viewing Conditions – 815-234-8535 x216
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2021 FALL Fun Guide
A publication of ROCK VALLEY PUBLISHING LLC 1102 Ann St., Delavan, WI 53115 (262) 728-3411 WWW.MYWALWORTHCOUNTY.COM
Section Editor......... Melanie Bradley Creative Director........... Heidi Schulz Page Design.................Jen DeGroot Advertising............Vicki Vanderwerff
For advertising opportunities, call (262) 728-3411 on the cover: Byron Forest Preserve past Board President Trevor Hogan took this photo at Howard Colman Hall Creek Preserve. It took second place in the Illinois Association of Park Districts photo contest. “October Morning” was chosen out of 350 entries. TREVOR HOGAN PHOTO Fall Fun Guide
View the celestial skies at Weiskopf Observatory in the Byron Forest Preserve. SUBMITTED PHOTO Fall Fun Guide
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2021 FALL FUN GUIDE
Enjoy the best in fall fun in Lake Geneva
above: Relax on a guided tour of the east end of the lake and its historic estates on Lake Geneva Cruise Line’s Geneva Bay Cruise. top: Lake Geneva Ziplines & Adventures is one of the top-rated Wisconsin zipline tours. SUBMITTED PHOTO Fall Fun Guide
OLIN’S MINI MARTS
For more than a century, vacationers have come to the Lake Geneva area during every season. Autumn is particularly delightful here where fall colors abound. Three Wisconsin Rustic Roads (R-11, R-12 and R-36 totaling nearly 20 miles of scenic fall driving) access the Lyons State Wildlife Area just northeast of the city. They’re easily accessed via Sheridan Springs Road and Spring Valley Road. These quiet country roads traverse glacial Kettle Moraine topography passing through large wooded areas of oak, maple and hickory, as well as old cranberry bogs. The tiny community of Lyons is worth a stop, with its several quaint, picturesque churches. And of course, the Lake Geneva area offers many memory-making opportunities. Enjoy fall color cruises on the lake, championship golf, spa retreats, boutique shopping and a full range of dining and lodging options. Get a unique view of Lake Geneva’s fall season from the water on our Fall Colors Cruise package. Relax on a guided tour of the east end of the lake and its historic estates on Lake Geneva Cruise Line’s Geneva Bay Cruise.
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World War II Days 25th Anniversary at Midway Village Museum
Authentic World War II military vehicles and tanks will be on display.
Visitors to World War II Days engage in elaborate 1940s displays in historical buildings on the museum’s 148-acre campus, which becomes the back drop of a European village during World War II. This military re-enactment is known to be the largest in the Midwest and draws thousands of visitors yearly to the Rockford region and the museum grounds. The event takes place Saturday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Costs: $16 Adults; $9 Children (ages 3-17) All veterans and active duty military free admission, sponsored by Dady Law Group
Victory Beer Garden - Partnering With Pig Minds Brewing Co. Beer and Vegan brats available for purchase! Midway Village Museum requires face masks in indoor settings, regardless of COVID vaccination status. The museum is required to follow all State of Illinois mandates regarding COVID-19. All staff and guests attending are required to abide by the state guidelines for social distancing at the time of the event. Free Admission: All Veterans, Active Duty Military, Midway Village Museum Members and Children ages 0-2. Early entry for Veterans at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Water Tower Gate off of the Rec Path parking area. Early entry for Veterans is on Saturday only.
World War II Days includes elaborate and realistic battles complete with tanks, artillery, armored vehicles, and exciting pyrotechnic displays.
Uniformed re-enactors representing soldiers from the United States, Great Britain, France, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Japan, Italy, and Germany along with 70 to 80 vintage tanks, half tracks and other 1940s military vehicles make this a not-to-miss special event. SUBMITTED PHOTOS Fall Fun Guide
Visitors may purchase tickets inadvance online or at the Museum Gift Store. Tickets are available for purchase at the gates the days of the military reenactment. The event opens at 10 a.m. both days for the general public. Festivities include encampments of Allied and Axis troops in the Midway Village woods. World War II Days includes elaborate and realistic battles complete with tanks, artillery, armored vehicles, and exciting pyrotechnic displays. Uniformed re-enactors representing soldiers from the United States, Great Britain, France, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Japan, Italy, and Germany along with 70 to 80 vintage tanks, half tracks and other 1940s military vehicles make this a notto-miss special event.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS Narrated half-hour field battles with pyrotechnics (two on Saturday and one on Sunday) Realistic encampments of Allied and Axis troops An Andrew Sisters musical tribute by “Sweet Reminder” More than 40 handcrafted World War II Model Airplanes with representatives from the Rock Valley R/C Flyers Club highlighting the aircraft history Spontaneous historical vignettes throughout the historic village Expanded half-hour skirmishes in the woods portraying battles at an additional $3 cost Authentic World War II military vehicles and tanks on display Axis and Allied military represented in exhibits and displays Elaborate Demonstrations & Displays with narration of impressions by costumed re-enactors representing civilian and military life Militaria sales vendors from the Midwest Affordable local food vendors VETANK available for individuals with limited mobility Golf Cart Shuttles available for guests with special needs and limited mobility Expanded Woods Experience: $3 The half-hour woods skirmish experiences highlight details about the war from the perspective of different military units including United States Paratroopers and Marines, German, Australian, Yugoslavian, Polish, Imperial Japanese Army and the British. The Woods Experience is different from the large main battles because each of the woods skirmishes are more intimate in nature for an up-close more personal viewing. The re-enactors will present information about the history of the units, the weapons and tactics used in the battle and take questions from the visitors. There will be three on Saturday and two on Sunday with pre-sales available on the event site only. Visitors will purchase tickets at a location on the event site on Main Street next to the Bank (white tent) and proceed to the woods battle location which is a roped off entrance on the southwest side of the Victorian Village in the Woods. Attendance is limited with entry for viewing by ticket only and visitors should start to assemble 15 minutes before the starting times.
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2021 FALL FUN GUIDE
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2021 FALL FUN GUIDE
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is surrounded by a bike 1201 Bigthrough Hill Ct., (608) 361-1377 wanders prairie, nd oaks on the north end etic fieldsBeckman on the south. Mill It is courts, lighted basketball A visit to Beloit isn’t complete without taking in the historic Beckman Mill, an ghted baseball diamonds, authentically restored operational elds, sand volleyball courts, grist mill from 1868. The Mill was added to oe playgrounds, a skateplaces in thepits, National Register of Historic plash and boardwalk. 1977. Itpark sits on 50 a acres, and guided tours offered Trail in the afternoons and on the :are Oregon Road weekends. On the premises, you’ll find a 15-732-3101 new dam, mill pond, footbridge, saw mill oregonpark.org/park-west display, 1840s cooperage, visitors center, gift shop, creamery, vintage garden, nature plash Canyon Spray Park trails and Skate more. Pick uphave a souvenir from the rie Side Park gift shop so you can take the Midwestern hours; check the you. website memories home with head
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The 1878 school is on the Galena Trail, where Abraham Lincoln walked during the Black Hawk War in 1832. It features displays about the war and a World War II hemp mill. Address: State Route 26, south of Polo Phone: 815-946-4142 Hours: Wednesday afternoons, April through October, and by appointment Online: polohistorical.org/properties
In addition to regular tours and demonstrations, Beckman Mill hosts several events including Heritage Sunday, Ice Cream Social, Art in the Park, and more. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday May through October. Admission is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. Beckman Mill 1600 S County Road H (608) 751-1551
Enjoy history, public art, and fall colors at Beloit College 700 College St.
Polo History Museum
The building, a gift to the Polo Historical Society from Shaw Printing houses vintage printThe Downtown Beloit Farmer’s Market is heldCo., rain or shine every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1ing p.m.machines through October. Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com along with military Fall Fun Guide Golfers and guests can watch the virtual action from the indoor viewing areasSUBMITTED PHOTOSmemorabilia, surveying tools used Situated onoutside a hill overlooking There are also two Trail museums on thehisright off of the driving bays at PrairieFire, or they can grab high a seat to keep to plot the Galena in 1833, the Rock River and founded in 1846, grounds. At the Logan Museum of an eye on the action. Customers can also grab a Beloit drink or a bite to eat, and watch toric agricultural tools, and many College is the oldest continuously Anthropology, you can view artifacts other artifacts. players’ progress on screens. See the listing onoperated page 47college for more information. in Wisconsin and from around the world. The museum, was founded while the state was still a founded in 113 1894, 300,000 Address: N.contains Franklin Ave. territory. The campus offers 40 wooded archaeological and ethnological objects Phone: 815-946-4142 its kind Polo, belonged Visitors will see period clothing acres in of winding walkwaysto to the meander from around the world including Native Online: town’s first W W. Burns. and hats, exhibits of churches and along, anddoctor, 20 conical, linear, and animal Americanpolohistorical.org/ baskets, pre-Columbian and Hours: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday and effigy mounds built between about A.D. prehistoric Native American ceramics. Today, it is the office of Blackhawk schools, and Underground Railroad 400 and 1200. Appreciate theby beautiful architecture Saturday, and appointment Waterways Convention and Visitors exhibits.
1878 in Midwestern prairie ure, the Nash Home and , which opened in 1962, y was home to Chester d his family. His daughter, ught school from 1891 to sh School, now Nash Recrenter, was named after her. eum offers artifacts from One, in the form of a turtle, has inspired of the Wright Museum of Art located on Bureau. Address: 123 N. Franklin Ave. he county — some from the the symbol (and unofficial mascot) of the Beloit College campus, as well as the the college. This nationally-recognized fine art on display. More than a dozen Address: 201 N. Franklin Ave. Phone: 815-946-4142 ettlers. liberal815-946-4142 arts college is also known for their exhibitions, drawn from the permanent Phone: : 111 N. Sixth St. Online: polohistorical.org/properties concerts, dance performances, theatre collection, in addition to regional and 1918 Standard Oil polohistorical.org/proper15-732-7545 Bywinds appointment Spend a leisurely day kayaking the TurtleHours: Creek that for miles from the oldest five-arch Online: productions, and Beloit College an annual student artists and national touring shows, Filling Station stone bridge in Wisconsin, Tiffany Bridge, built in 1869. tiesFolk andn’visitnorthwestillinois.com/ fill the galleries year-round. Blues Festival. oglecountyhistoricalsociAdmission: By donation This is the very first gasoline what-to-do/history-and-heritage/ or find The Ogle County Buffalo Grove Lime Kiln filling station in Rochelle and the burns-house.html al Society on Facebook The kiln, constructed in 1870 of nafirst filling station built along the a.m.-noon Thursday and Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mondaytive limestone quarried on site, is one Lincoln Highway in Illinois. It has Sunday, May through SepFriday been restored to its original design, of two old lime kilns in Illinois on the select Saturdays (May 26, Campbell Law Office including the canopy over the National Register of Historic Places. Sept. 1, Oct. 6, and Nov. 24) Judge Campbell was Polo’s first pumps and the 1918 equipment. It is a wood-burning perpetual kiln, pointment mayor; his office was built in 1875 Filling station memorabilia is on or draw-down kiln, which meant it on: By donation from blue limestone hauled by wagdisplay inside. had to be continuously fired. It operon from the quarry west of town. It Address: 500 Lincoln Ave. ated until the early 1900s. now is a private law office. Phone: 815-561-2084 Address: Galena Trail Road Address: 111 N. Franklin Ave. Online: enjoyrochelle.com/onlineton House Phone: 815-946-4142 Phone: 815-946-4142 directory/what-to-do/history3 home belonged to Zenas Online: polohistorical.org/properties Online: polohistorical.org/properattractions/1918-standard-oil-fillingn, a Civil War soldier who Burns House ties station Polo. Abraham Lincoln Hours: By appointment This 1854 brick home, the first of nights in the house in 1856. Hours: By appointment
ROCHELLE
Jarrett Prairie Center Natural History Museum 7993 North River Road, Byron, IL
O
Jarrett Prairie Center Natural History Museum 7993 free North activities: River Road, Byron, IL Enjoy these
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e Enjoy 4,000 square feet ofin new and interactive exhibits showings our immersive indoor
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showings in our immersive indoor theater designed to educate visitors on prairie ecology ors on prairie ecology n your own farm our plow exhibit Design youratown farm at our plow exhibit n the season at our prairie overlook area
Take in the season at our prairie overlook area www.byronforestpreserve.com • 815-234-8535 www.byronforestpreserve.com • 815-234-8535
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2021 FALL FUN GUIDE
Curran’s Apple Orchard
Curran’s Apple Orchard offers a store and lots of fun activities like the Little People’s Mini-Maze. The orchard is is located at 6385 Kilburn Ave., Rockford, Ill. They are open now for the 36th Fall Season. Daily Hours: 9 a.. to 6 p.m. Call 815-963-7848 for more information. SUBMITTED PHOTO Fall Fun Guide
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Explore Illinois’ destinations for beautiful fall foilage Autumn is a beautiful time of year in Illinois . The red, purple, orange, yellow, brown and bronze shades of the leaves reflect the great diversity of more than 250 tree species in our state. Our fall color season lasts for several weeks, normally starting in northern Illinois counties by the third or fourth week in September. Leaf color begins to change during the second week in October in central Illinois and by the last two weeks of October in the southern part of the state. The peak of fall color in Illinois normally occurs by midOctober in northern and central Illinois and by late October or early November in the southern third of the state.
Changing colors The changing colors of the leaves on deciduous trees, those that lose their leaves in autumn and grow new ones in spring, make fall a beautiful season in Illinois , bringing new wonders each day. Did you ever think about why leaves change color?
Leaves change color in autumn as the hours of daylight decline and the angle of the sun gets lower in the sky. The pigment chlorophyll is present in huge amounts in leaves during the spring and summer months. Chlorophyll appears to be green because it reflects the green part of sunlight. If you’ve seen a rainbow, you know that sunlight is actually a combination of colors: red; orange, yellow, green; blue; indigo; violet. Chlorophyll absorbs energy from the other colors in sunlight and uses it to transform carbon dioxide and water into sugars that are used as food by the tree. As the duration of daylight and the angle of the sun decrease in late summer and fall, chlorophyll production is reduced, and it begins to disappear. Carotenoids , pigments that have been present in the leaves throughout the growing season but were not seen due to the vast amount of chlorophyll, begin to appear as yellow and orange colors in the leaves. The yellow carotenoid is called xanthophyll, and the orange pigment is carotene. Anthocyanins form in the leaves of some tree species in the fall and produce red and purple shades. These pigments develop from the sugars that are trapped in leaves. On warm, sunny fall days, the leaves produce sugars. At night, as the air cools, plant transport slows, and the sugars are unable to be transported from the leaves. The brighter the fall sunlight, the more sugars are produced, and the more brilliant the colors. Anthocyanins react to soil chemistry, affecting the color displayed in the leaf. In acid soil, the leaf may be red in the fall. If the same type of tree was growing on alkaline soil, though, its leaves might be purple in the fall. Weather is the most important factor in how colorful leaves will be in the fall. Ample rainfall in the summer leads to healthy trees with many pigments and sugars in the leaves. These leaves will provide beautiful fall colors. Bright, sunny skies in late summer and early fall lead to more red, yellow, bronze and orange shades on leaves. Numerous cloudy days during this time period may cause the production of more gold and yellow tints. In drought conditions, leaves may drop from the trees without much color change at all. If the temperatures turn too cold, leaves can die before they change colors. However, in some years fall color is abundant even though weather conditions are not ideal. Tree species that produce deep red, bronze and orange shades on autumn leaves include the red oak, sugar maple, flowering dogwood, persimmon, sweet gum, sumac and tupelo gum. Trees with bright orange and yellow tints on leaves in the fall include sugar maple, cottonwood, wild black cherry, ash, birch, hickory, sassafras and tulip tree. Deep purple and red shades are the fall colors of tree-climbing vines including Virginia creeper and poison ivy.
Fall color destinations Explore Illinois ‘ scenic fall beauty at Illinois state parks and recreation areas. You’ll find a list of all IDNR state parks and recreation areas at our parks Web page. Scenic drives are a great way to experience autumn in Illinois . For information about fall foliage scenic drives, contact the Illinois Bureau of Tourism, or www.enjoyillinois.com. Taking your class to an Illinois forest can be an enjoyable experience. Many Illinois state parks are excellent settings for forestry-related field trips. Several parks have an interpreter on staff who can help your students learn more about the forest. Call ahead to notify the interpreter and other site personnel about your intention to visit.
On Oct. 29, 2011 the Rockford Park District opened the doors to Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St., Rockford. SUBMITTED PHOTO Fall Fun Guide
Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens: Tropical oasis in the city Safety has been and will continue to be one of our top priorities.We have worked with and followed guidelines from the CDC, IDPH, Restore Illinois and local health officials to develop procedures and protocols to ensure we can provide a fun and safe recreational experience. Our park district team has and will continue to increase efforts to clean and sanitize our facilities and program areas in accordance with CDC guidelines. We have incorporated creative ways to encourage and promote social distancing, implemented health screenings for both employees and participants, as well as updated our eligibility requirements to ensure the health and safety of all during this time.
The Nicholas Conservatory On Oct. 29, 2011, the Rockford Park District opened the doors to a brand new facility, Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St., Rockford. Situated along the banks of the beautiful Rock River in Sinnissippi Gardens, Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens brings the tropics to the Midwest. The entire facility is the third largest conservatory in Illinois with a total of 22,000 square feet, and at the highest point will stand 52 feet. A tropical setting includes an 11,000-squarefoot plant exhibition area complete with water features, seating areas, and sculptures, all in a tropical plant setting. In early 2004, the Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners selected Sinnissippi Park as the site for a centerpiece project for the District’s 100-year anniversary celebration. Sinnissippi Park was the first land purchased by the newlyformed Rockford Park District in 1909. Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens is named after the Nicholas family, who in March 2006, announced their donation of $2,150,000 toward the Conservatory project in honor of their parents, William and Ruby Nicholas. Aside from the generous donation from the Nicholas family, nearly 1,600 donors contributed to the Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens Public Campaign Project.Greenhouse vs. Conservatory What’s the difference? The former greenhouse was constructed in 1924 and was in need of significant repairs. A greenhouse is a building where plants are cultivated. A conservatory is used to display
tropical plants and displays, and can be used for social gatherings. The original 15-foot high Greenhouse’s purpose was to grow flowers and plants that could be used throughout the Rockford Park District’s parks and facilities. This purpose changed as the Park District grew, and it became impractical for the Greenhouse plantings to support the entire District. Over the years, the Greenhouse was used to host a variety of seasonal flower shows, but the building was not originally designed for this purpose. The former Greenhouse will be memorialized with a rendering and display incorporated into the new Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens facility. Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens Summary of Amenities Indoor and Outdoor Gardens Open to the Public (year-round); Growing Greenhouse; Meeting Room and Classroom Space (available to rent); Tropical Destination for Small Weddings, Receptions, and Catered Events; Children’s Educational and Play Area; Garden Gate Gift Shop ; Sculptures; Catering Kitchen; Outdoor Terrace Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens Fast Facts: Large palms and tropical trees came from nurseries in Homestead, Fla. Temperature inside the Conservatory is anywhere between 70˚ and 105˚ Every plant or tree has a label with the common and Latin name Farthest Traveling Object: Aneityum palm from Vanuatu Islands of the Pacific Heaviest Tree: Bismark Palm weighing over 6000 lbs (3 tons) Longest Installation of a Tree: Bismark Palm – 8 hours, 3 machines, and a dozen workers Regular Admission Adults: $7 (Resident) $9 (Non-Resident) Seniors (65+): $5 (Resident) $7 (NonResident) Veterans $4 (Resident) $6 (Non-Resident) Ages 5-1:7 $5 (Resident), $7 (Non-Resident) Ages 3-:4 $3 (Resident), $4 (Non-Resident) Ages 2 and under, free Hours Sundays and Mondays: CLOSED Tuesday-Friday: 10 a.m. to- 4p.m. $4 (Resident), $5 (non-resident Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays: 10 a.m. -to 3 p.m.
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2021 FALL FUN GUIDE
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Edwards Apple Orchard West is located at 8218 Cemetery Road, Winnebago, Ill.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Fall Fun Guide
SUBMITTED PHOTO Fall Fun Guide
Edwards Apple Orchard West opens for season
NOW Call a fOr EstIm
Lindberg’s Pumpkin Patch in Caledonia, Ill., opened for the season on Sept. 16.
Edwards Apple Orchard West is now open for the season, and the safety and health of customers and employees is a top priority. Here are their policies for your visit this fall: Please do not visit the farm if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Face coverings are required to enter the Apple Barn and while shopping, and the Apple Barn will have a limited capacity. Guests are asked to maintain social distancing at all times and to wear face coverings outside when social distancing cannot be maintained. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the Apple Barn, play area, and general grounds. Hand washing stations are also available at the orchard. Edwards is conducting enhanced cleaning and sanitizing of high-touch surfaces to ensure your safety.
EDWARDS WEST EXPRESS With COVID-19 still present and only allowing a limited number of customers in the Apple Barn, Edwards is offering more ways for you to shop for your fall favorites. “Edwards West Express” is a temporary tent where you can grab some apple cider, donuts, and apples along with some of our other specialty food items. The Apple Barn will still be open with all our usual products. We encourage our customers to come during the week for a more leisure shopping experience. Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 7 days a week Open Labor Day 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 8218 Cemetery Road Winnebago, IL 61088 For more information, call, 815-9632261
Bring the family out for fall fun at Lindberg’s Pumpkin Patch BARNYARD ACTIVITIES
Columbus Day.
With all of our fall attractions, you can count on a fun time at The Lindberg Pumpkin Patch. From our corn maze to our petting zoo there is something for everyone. At our petting zoo, you and your family can experience life on the farm. We have goats and sheep that you and your family can feed and pet. There are also many other animals on our farm including chickens and an alpaca. While some activities are free of charge, others require tickets. Wristbands are available for purchase Monday through Friday. Tickets $1/each For every 10 tickets purchased you get one ticket free. Wristbands (Monday-Friday), $10/each Unlimited play on the three inflatables. Unlimited visits to the haunted shed. One pumpkin train ride. Please note: Corn maze is not included and wristbands are not available on
CORN MAZE Our 7-acre corn maze changes each year, so if you made it through last year, make sure you give it a try again this year. Go ahead and get lost in the corn! No maps, no guide just pure fun. The entrance fee for children ages 3-12 is $4, Adults $6, children 2 and under are free. How long does it take? We get that question a lot and it varies among groups some may take 15-20 minutes and some are in there longer. The last entrance is at 5:45 p.m.
HOURS Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 17Oct. 31 Please note: select activities may close during inclement weather. Lindberg’s Pumpkin Patch is located at 3178 IL Route 173, Caledonia, IL 61011 815-765-2587
2021 FALL FUN GUIDE
Thinking of you periodically
Artist Rafael Blanco posed in front of his multi-colored mural of a young girl thinking about her future. The mural is located at 1019 S. Main St., Rockford. SUBMITTED PHOTO Fall Fun Guide
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Members of the community came out last week to celebrate this beautiful mural created by Rafael Blanco. The colors in this mural showcase the bight and vibrancy of the young girl’s dreams and creativity. The phrase says “Thinking of You Periodically.” The Rockford letters spell out Rockford utilizing the letters from the periodic table. We are so thankful that we were able to bring this mural to Rockford! Another special thanks to Collins Aerospace for sponsoring this mural at 1019 S. Main St.
RACVB brings back CRE8IV, take a tour of 12 new murals The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, together with community leaders from Rockford, Loves Park, Pecatonica and Rockton, participating artists and sponsors, announced the return of CRE8IV: transformational ART. After a one-year hiatus, the RACVB-led public art festival began June 1, at various locations in the Rockford region. Eleven local and visiting lead artists worked with teams of artists throughout the summer to create 12 large-scale, vibrant murals in the Rockford region. In addition to murals in downtown Rockford, artists created museum-quality murals on big walls in Rockton, Loves Park and Pecatonica and in Rockford’s South Main St. business district. “We are so grateful to everyone who is helping to make the return of the CRE8IV: transformational ART possible. Having murals and public art displayed throughout Rockford and now Rockton, Loves Park and Pecatonica is a bold way to tell and share our destination’s story,” said Kristen Paul, RACVB’s director of destination development. “The 12 new murals will add to an already incredible lineup of public art in our region and is yet one more way we can differentiate, enhance and build up our neighborhoods while inspiring our residents and visitors.” The new murals spotlight scenes and imagery portraying natural beauty, hope, peace and love; diversity and inclusion; youth education, historic symbolism rooted in our Midwestern hometowns; and inspirational leaders who have made an impact in our communities. Partnerships key to success “Painters District Council 30, Local 607 will continue to bring help, hope, and inspiration this year with the next phase of CRE8IV murals that will touch downtown Rockford and several corners of our county. After seeing the major impact made in 2019, we are excited to help bring that positivity back to our region again through beauty, history, and life in the form of art and murals,” said John Penney, Painters District Council No. 30, Local 607 business representative/organizer.
Partnering with the Rockford Area Arts Council is a natural fit, especially for an initiative of this caliber and impact. At the beginning of the pandemic, the Arts Council initiated a mural installment on the wall of Jumpin’ Joes—at the intersection of W. State Street and Winnebago Street. A team of local artists was assembled and a dynamic composition planned, however, the funding for the project fell through due to COVID-related challenges. Since March of 2020, the Arts Council and the RACVB have collaborated on a variety of community-centered projects and initiatives, so when the RACVB invited the Arts Council to participate in CR8IV in an effort to help realize a mural on that wall, they jumped at the chance. “The Arts Council is committed to working with local artists—and after reviewing the submissions for the 2021 CRE8IV installment, we felt strongly about working with local artist, Stuk One. “His portraiture and Rockfordcentered submission gave us confidence that his final composition will meet the Arts Council’s goal of accessibility and inclusion” said Mary McNamara Bernsten, Rockford Area Arts Council executive director. “Public art reflects and reveals those who live in our community; Stuk One is a talented, nationally known artist. The Arts Council is proud to showcase his work, and our community, in the CRE8IV initiative.” Mural Locations and Artists “Large scale murals have an awesome ability to transform spaces. People are drawn to places and communities that are vibrant, inviting and alive with creativity. As we considered bringing CRE8IV back for a second year, it was important to our team at RACVB to consider new areas in Rockford and new cities in our region that could also benefit from infusions of public art and creativity,” said John Groh, RACVB president/CEO. “We are thrilled to be working with residents and leaders Loves Park, Rockton and Pecatonica as well as along S. Main St. in Rockford to bring vibrancy to new parts of Winnebago County.”
Artists were selected through an open Call for Artists process. More than 40 local and visiting artists from around the country submitted proposals. A curatorial review committee comprised of partner organization representatives and residents reviewed the submitted proposals and concepts, considered the artists’ experiences with similar projects and then selected the artists for this year’s CRE8IV festival. The selected artists represent a diverse group of local and visiting artists with varied backgrounds and artistic approaches. The list of mural locations and artists includes: 1. Jumping Joe Inc., 603 W. State St., Rockford (west facing) Artist: Fatherless, Rockford, https:// www.wearefatherless.com/ 2. Jumping Joe Inc., 603 W. State St., Rockford (east facing) Artist: Stuk One, Rockford, https:// www.linkedin.com/in/stuk-one-72a8b6b3 Sponsor: Rockford Area Arts Council 3. J-Bears Place, 311 S. Main St., Rockford (south facing) Artist: Yulia Avgustinovich, Denver, http://yulia-art.com/ Sponsor: Brubaker Charitable Trust 4. Resale Shop, 1019 S. Main St., Rockford (north facing) Artist: Rafael Blanco, Chicago, https:// rafael-blanco.com/home Sponsor: Collins Aerospace 5. Magpie, 126 N. Madison, Rockford (south facing) Artist: Thomas Agran, Iowa City, https:// www.thomasagran.com/ Sponsor: Kjellstrom Family Foundation 6. Luna Datura’s Curious Gifts, 117 S. 3rd St., Rockford (north facing) Artist: Sam Kirk, Chicago, http:// iamsamkirk.com/#sewellestate Sponsors: Illinois Lottery and UPS 7. Social Urban Bar & Restaurant, 509 E. State St., Rockford Artist: Fatherless, Rockford, https:// www.wearefatherless.com/ 8. La Chiquita, 1108 S. Main St., Rockford (north facing)
Artists: Jenny Roesel Ustick, Cinnicinatti and Atalie Gagnet, Dayton, https://www.jennyroeselustick.com/ and http://www.ataliegagnet.com/ Sponsor: The Workplace 9. CD Source, 5723 N. 2nd St., Loves Park Artist; Brett Whitacre, Rockford, https://www.facebook.com/ brettwhitacreart/ Sponsor: City of Loves Park, David & Colleen Anderson Family 10. Rockton Food & Spirits, 121 W. Main St., Rockton (west facing) Artists: Lisa Frost and Libbie Frost, Rockford, https://www.lisafrost.com Sponsor: Village of Rockton, community sponsors, actively seeking additional support 11. Michael Freier - COUNTRY Financial, 515 Main St., Pecatonica Artist: Brett Whitacre, Rockford, https://www.facebook.com/ brettwhitacreart/ Sponsor: Village of Pecatonica, private donations, actively seeking additional support
12. Everything Store, 101 E. 3rd St., Pecatonica Artist: Brett Whitacre, Rockford, https://www.facebook.com/ brettwhitacreart/ Sponsor: Village of Pecatonica, private donations, actively seeking additional support Mural Sponsors and Supporters This RACVB-led initiative is made possible with the help of the aforementioned CRE8IV sponsors and funding partners and in collaboration with the City of Rockford and Painters District Council 30, Local 607. We would also like to recognize and thank all artists, local and visiting, for their creativity and days of hard work to help elevate our beautification efforts in the region. Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in sponsoring this initiative or a specific mural are invited to contact Martesha Brown, RACVB Director of Advancement, at 815.489.1655 or mbrown@gorockford.com.
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2021 FALL FUN GUIDE
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