Explore life as a pioneer on the Illinois prairie when you visit the Powers-Walker House at Glacial Park, in Ringwood, on Oct. 6.

Events @ a Glance: Recreation & Destinations Calendar

Recreation opportunities abound in our region! Here are a few of the best our area has to offer.

Explore life as a pioneer on the Illinois prairie when you visit the Powers-Walker House at Glacial Park, in Ringwood, on Oct. 6.

September

Barrington Farmers Market
Through Oct. 19, Thu. 2-7 p.m. Featuring fresh produce, meats, pastries and bread, flowers and other items from local farmers and producers.Park Avenue and Cook St., Barrington, barringtonfarmersmarket.com.

Woodstock Farmers Market
Through Oct., Tues. & Sat. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. On historic Woodstock Square, shop for fruit and vegetables, flowers, cheese, eggs, pet treats, bakery items, candles, olive oil, pottery and more. In Nov., moves to McHenry County Fairgrounds. Historic Woodstock Square, Woodstock, (815) 338-5164, woodstockfarmersmarket.org.

Elgin Harvest Market
Through Oct., Thur. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Outdoor farmers market featuring vegetable, fruit, bread, meat, baked goods, flowers and spices. 200 N. Grove, Elgin, (847) 488-1456, cityofelgin.org.

French Market
Through Nov. 12, Sun. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Vendors sell fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, jewelry, handbags and more. Fourth and South Streets, downtown Geneva, (630) 232-7494, geneva.il.us.

Archaeological Awareness
Sept. 17, noon-4 p.m. See a stone grinder, flintknapper and others demonstrate prehistoric skills; try your hand at throwing an atlatl to hunt big game; a mounted cavalryman explains the archaeology of the Little Bighorn site. Powers-Walker House, Glacial Park, 6316 Harts Road, Ringwood, (815) 678-4532, mccdistrict.org.

Long Grove Apple Fest
Sept. 22-24, Fri. 6-10 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. From cakes and pies to popcorn and martinis, apple-inspired treats abound during this three-day event, which features live music daily. Downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Road, (847) 634-0888, longgrove.org.

Rake-O Family Fall Festival
Sept. 23, 1-4 p.m. Round up the family and kick up your heels during a fun-filled afternoon of downhome entertainment, including live music, dancing and games. Rakow Branch, Gail Borden Library, 2751 W. Bowes Road, Elgin, (847) 531-7271, gailborden.info.

Passport Europe Festival
Sept. 23-24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. No need for a passport; experience authentic music, dance, cuisine and more in one weekend. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Ill. Rt. 53, Lisle, (630) 968-0074, mortonarb.org.

Life of the Metis
Sept. 24, 1-4 p.m. Experience the lives and cultures of French Canadian traders and the Native Americans who lived in this area in the 1600s and became intertwined in Metis villages. Crafts to follow. Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake, (815) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.

Johnny Appleseed Festival
Sept. 30, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy pony rides, petting zoo, pumpkin train, pumpkin bowling, clowns, face painting, wagon rides, scarecrow and apple pie contests, craft fair, Johnny Appleseed actor and live music. Downtown Crystal Lake. Info: (815) 479-0835, downtowncl.org.

Run Wild-Race for Open Space 5K
Sept. 30, 8:30 a.m. This 5K trail race goes through woodland, prairie and riverfront habitats. Enjoy the colors of fall along the wooded trail. Ages 14 and up. Reg. online. Meet at Hickory Grove Highlands, Shelter 2, 500 Hickory Nut Grove Road, Cary, (815) 338-6223, mccdistrict.org.

Kane County Flea Market
Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Nov. 4-5, Dec. 2-3, Sat. noon-5 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Hundreds of dealers comprise one of the longest-running antique markets around. Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles, (630) 377-2252, kanecountyfleamarket.com.

October

9th Annual Run & Roll for the Dole Duathlon
Oct. 1, 6 a.m.-noon. Participate in a 2-mile run, 20K bike ride and another 2-mile run through Crystal Lake and Lakewood. Proceeds benefit the Lakeside Legacy Foundation. Dole Mansion, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake, (815) 459-1883, lakesideartspark.org.

Pumpkin Pedal Bike Tour
Oct. 1, 7:30 a.m. Choice of 10-, 20- or 26-mile routes on the Great Western Trail or 40- or 62-
mile road rides. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics Illinois. Sycamore Speedway, 50W086 Ill. Rt. 64, Maple Park. Info: (224) 325-8177, soill.org.

St. Charles Scarecrow Fest
Oct. 6-8, events daily. More than 100 handcrafted scarecrows on display. Huge juried craft show, carnival, food, live entertainment, many free children’s activities, more. Downtown St. Charles, (630) 377-6161, visitstcharles.com.

Living History Open House
Oct. 6, 5-8 p.m. Enjoy the fall colors in Lost Valley Marsh and the twilight ambiance of the 1850s Powers-Walker House. Savor the smell of goodies baked in the wood-burning stove and see how early settlers finished their work in dim lighting. Powers-Walker House, Glacial Park, Ringwood, (815) 678-4532, mccdistrict.org.

Woodstock Ale Fest
Oct. 7, 1-5 p.m. Sample more than 60 unique American craft beers while enjoying live Bluegrass music. Net proceeds benefit Adult & Child Therapy Services. Location: Clay & Bartlett Streets, Woodstock, (815) 338-2436, woodstockalefest.com.

Bull Valley’s Octoberfest
Oct. 8, 7 a.m. to dusk. This family-friendly day includes a 1K walk and a 5K “Bull Valley Monster Hill Challenge.” Features local food vendors, beer & wine tasting, a German band and games for the kids. Stickney House, 1904 Cherry Valley Road, Bull Valley, (815) 459-4833, bullvalleydays.net.

Historic Halloween Art
Oct. 9, 6-7:30 p.m. Make a Victorian Halloween treat cone in the spirit of Halloween 140 years ago. Set in the Muller family house, where previous owners made pop in the basement and created what became the Arlington Club Beverage Company. Reg. req. Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights, (847) 255-1225, ahmuseum.org.

Mystery History Food Crawl
Oct. 12, 6-9 p.m. Visit several downtown eateries and discover the ties St. Charles has to U.S. history. Food and trivia fun at each stop. Reg. online. St. Charles History Museum, 215 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 584-6967, stcmuseum.org.

Migration Celebration & Wagon Tours
Oct. 14, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Drop in for educational games, activities, crafts, snacks and hot beverages. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride that highlights migrating birds visiting the wetlands and Nippersink Creek. Lost Valley Visitor Center, Glacial Park, Ringwood, (815) 678-4532, mccdistrict.org.

All Hallows Eve
Oct. 20-21, 6:30-10 p.m. Experience two of the darkest nights of the year with 12 acres of haunting creatures. Historical buildings are turned into Frankenstein’s Laboratory, a Victorian insane asylum, a torture dungeon and a journey through the underworld. Ages 8 and up. Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville, (630) 420-6010, napersettlement.org.

Autumn Drive
Oct. 20-22, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fresh produce to purchase or pick, tractor rides, plant sales, pottery, folk art, antique dealers, barn sales, pumpkin and apple launchers, and much more, as you make your way down country roads on this self-guided tour. Starting point at 16105 Garden Valley Road, Woodstock, autumndrive.net.

OAKtober Planting Party
Oct. 21, 1-4 p.m. Bring back the Big Woods of McHenry County by helping to plant more than 200 oak trees. Along a half-mile trail, learn about oaks, play an oak-themed game or create a craft. Enjoy live music; bring a picnic or visit a food truck. Marengo Ridge, 2411 N. Ill. Rt. 23, Marengo, (815) 338-6223, mccdistrict. org.

Nightmare on Chicago Street
Oct. 21, 6-11 p.m. Party in the “safe zone” during a zombie invasion. Live entertainment, costume contest, food and other vendors, live graffiti artists, hookah lounge and special guests. Downtown Elgin, between Douglas Avenue and Villa Court, nightmareonchicagostreet.com.

56th Sycamore Pumpkin Festival
Oct. 25-29, events daily. Thousands of decorated pumpkins, crafts show, entertainment, carnival, 10K race, food vendors, parade on Sunday. Downtown Sycamore & various locations, sycamorepumpkinfestival.com.

Truck or Treat
Oct. 28, 10 a.m.-noon. Children are invited to put on a costume, bring a bag and collect treats before heading over to the Crystal Lake Plaza for an afternoon of Halloween fun. Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Dr., Crystal Lake, (847) 459-0680, crystallakeparks.org.

Boo-Palooza Halloween Celebration
Oct. 28, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Costume contest at Martin Memorial Plaza and trick-or-treating at downtown stores. Downtown Wheaton, (630) 682-0633, downtownwheaton.com.

Woodstock Halloween
Oct. 31, 4-5 p.m. Festivities include a costume contest and trick-or-treating around the Square.
121 W. Calhoun St., Woodstock, (815) 338-4301.

November

Coyote Campfire
Nov. 3, 7-8:30 p.m. Gather around the campfire to find out more about the adaptations and social life of the “prairie wolf.” Hike to listening spots and enjoy a favorite campfire snack. Reg. online. Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake, (815) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.

Puzzle Palooza
Nov. 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Register your team to compete in a jigsaw puzzle tournament for prizes. The Racket Club, 9101 S. Ill. Rt. 31, Crystal Lake, (847) 459-0680, crystallakeparks.org.

Harvest Gathering of 1858
Nov. 5, noon-4 p.m. Step back in time to try your hand at corn shelling, grinding corn into flour or making a corn husk doll. See bread baking in a wood-burning stove and visit with a Cavalry sergeant and his horse as they demonstrate the weapons used to protect these frontier lands. Powers-Walker House, Glacial Park, Ringwood, (815) 678-4532, mccdistrict.org.

Dance and Watch: “The Nutcracker”
Nov. 11, 3:30 p.m. Take a ballet lesson with real dancers, then watch them perform part of “The Nutcracker” ballet. Ages 6 and up. Reg. req. Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.

100 Years Ago on the Homefront
Nov. 12, 4-5 p.m. Travel back to 1917 and experience how American families faced “the war to end all wars.” Learn the history, experience the sights, sounds and tastes of the early 20th century. Century Memorial Chapel, Naper Settlement, Naperville, (630) 420-6010, napersettlement.org.

Silly Celebrations
Nov. 19, 2-3:30 p.m. Celebrate National Puzzles and Games week and some of the silly national “holidays” that come around each month. Activities for kids of all ages. Reg. online. Arlington Heights Historical Museum, Arlington Heights, (847) 225-1225, ahmuseum.org.

Festival of Lights Parade
Nov. 24, 7 p.m. Start off the holiday season as Santa Claus comes to downtown Crystal Lake. There’s lights, music, a pageantry and lots of holiday magic. Downtown Crystal Lake, (815) 479-0835, downtowncl.org.

Lighting of the Square
Nov. 24, 5-9 p.m. Thousands of twinkling lights illuminate the square as retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues offer specials designed to start off the holiday season. Woodstock Square, Woodstock, woodstockil.gov.

December

Winter Wonderland Dinner Party
Dec. 1, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Join your friends for a delicious dinner and Edizon Dayao’s Big Band variety show. Reg. by Nov. 17. Pottawatomie Community Center, 8 North Ave., St. Charles, (630) 513-6200, stcparks.org.

Christmas Walk & Holiday House Tour
Dec. 1, 6-9:30 p.m. Welcome Santa Lucia, see Santa lighting the great tree, take a carriage ride, enjoy roasted chestnuts, strolling carolers and a live nativity. Join the house tour to see five distinctively decorated homes. Location: Downtown Geneva. Info: Geneva Chamber of Commerce, 100 S. 3rd St., Geneva, (630) 232-6060, genevachamber.com.

9th Annual Snowflake Shuffle
Dec. 2, 9 a.m. A 5K/10K race that raises money and awareness for mental health services through TriCity Family Services. Prizes for best spirit wear costumes and top 5K and 10K runners. Location: Royal Fox Country Club, 4405 Royal & Ancient Dr., St. Charles. Info: (630) 232-1070, tricityfamilyservices.org.