September is here, and that means it is time to say farewell to summer and kick off fall at the Illinois State University Horticulture Center’s Autumnal Festival.
Stop by Saturday, September 17, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to enjoy the Horticulture Center gardens during their peak of autumn glory and enjoy a host of other outdoor family activities, including children’s crafts with the Normal Public Library and the Children’s Discovery Museum, a presentation by the McLean County Master Gardeners, a solar system-themed corn maze, corn palace, hayrides, scarecrow and flower container silent auctions, and a Pokémon Go Gym.
In addition to baked goods, hot dogs, chips, and cider slushies, the center will be selling produce from this year’s bumper crop of over 85 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds. Guests can also browse booths from such local vendors and organizations as the Illinois State University Glass House, Ponella, the Ecology Action Center, and beekeepers among others.
The Autumnal Festival is the center’s main fundraiser for the year and helps support its goals of providing learning, research, and leisure opportunities for Illinois State students and faculty as well as the community. Admission for the event is $5 (ages 13 and older); $3 (ages 3 to 12); and free for ages 2 and under. Some activities will be subject to small fees, including hayrides for $1.
The Illinois State Horticulture Center is located on West Raab Road in Normal across from the Corn Crib. For more information, contact Jessica Chambers at Horticulture@IllinoisState.edu, (309) 438-5654, or (309) 438-3496.
