Goodenow Grove Fall Fest
Fall is on the way, and with it comes the Forest Preserve District's annual Goodenow Grove Fall Fest celebration. This free, all-ages family event will take place on Saturday and Sunday, September 18 and 19, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days.
The woods, fields, ponds, and creeks of
Goodenow Grove provide a wonderful setting for the two-day Fall Fest. Offering activities and performances for all ages, it is a perfect family event. Nature hikes, pumpkin painting, live music, presentations on local wildlife, and a full offering of children's activities are among the many features of the event.
Activities will be ongoing at different locations around Goodenow Grove. These areas include the main stage, nature's corner, garden adventure area, and children's activity area.
For gardeners, a Crazy Veggie Contest will be held at the garden adventure area. Drop off your produce, which must be homegrown, any time Saturday or until 2:00 p.m. Sunday for a chance to win a gift card. Five different categories will be judged, including the ugliest vegetable, the largest ripe tomato, the largest zucchini (length), the widest sunflower (diameter), and the ugliest vegetable. Judging will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Download an entry form here!More than a dozen kids' activities, including pumpkin decorating and face painting will be ongoing both days in the children's activity area.
Vendors will be in attendance both days with such items as jams and jellies, honey, mums, and other plants, bulbs, and seeds. Food will also be available for purchase.
Harvest Hustle 5K
Fall Fest will kick off with the Harvest Hustle 5K Run/Walk. With a new name but the same exciting event, this marks the 10th year for this run/walk.
Last year's running race and fitness walk drew a record 244 participants, who enjoyed the beauty of Goodenow Grove during the cool of a September morning.
The 5K Run/Walk cross-country trail through Goodenow Grove passes through woodlands and open meadows, and includes a challenging 40-foot hill.
View a map of the 5K course here, or
download the Harvest Hustle 5K brochure here.
The race is certified by the
Chicago Area Runners
Association (CARA). This race has agreed to adhere to and uphold
CARA's Best Practices Guidelines. These Guidelines embody the highest
standards for quality, safety, and comfort for participants in a road
race.
For safety reasons, baby joggers and strollers are allowed
for walkers only. Bikes, skates, and pets are not allowed for walkers or
runners.The starting gun for the 5K will go off at 8:30 a.m.
Pre-registration race fee is $15 (discounted for CARA members), and
same-day registration, from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m., is $20. The first 200
pre-registered participants will receive a free goodie bag and T-shirt at
the event!
Pre-register
on-line today! Pre-registration ends on September 15 at 4:00 p.m., so sign up early!
Participants also receive free entry into a raffle, and food and
beverages at the finish line. For your convenience, gear check will be
available in the registration area during the race. All gear must be
picked up by 10:00 a.m.
Pre-registered participants may pick up
their T-shirt, goodie bag, and a race map on Friday, September 17 from
Noon to 4:00 p.m. at Plum Creek Nature Center, Goodenow Grove Forest
Preserve.
The running race is chip-timed, with no split timing. Race results will be posted here following tabulation. Awards will be presented to the top overall male and female runners, as well as the first, second, and third place male and female in the following age groups: 0-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 years of age and older. The 5K Walk is a non-competitive event, so no prizes will be awarded for
this fitness walk.
Check out the fun from last year's Fall Fest and 5K in our
Photo Gallery.
The Goodenow Grove Fall Fest and 5K are being generously sponsored by
Independence Physical Therapy,
First United Bank,
Walt's Food Centers,
Siegel's Cottonwood Farms,
Governors State University,
Call One,
Smith Dawson & Andrews,
Chiro One Wellness Centers,
Riverside Medical Center, and
CommonMan Innovative Technologies, Inc.If your organization would like to be involved in the event as a
sponsor, please visit our
Special Event
Sponsorships page.
