Plenty of Fall activities set for October's first weekend

Batavia Vikings set annual Chili Cook-off

Batavia’s Viking Ring Lodge 18 will conduct its fourth annual Chili Cook-off at 1 p.m. Oct. 4 at the lodge, 104 N. Van Nortwick Ave., Batavia. The event is open to the public. Tickets for sampling the chili are $5 and can be purchased at the event. Lori and I always enjoy attending the event and sampling the many varieties of chili. I hope to see you there. The cook-off benefits the Batavia United Way and the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Burn Camp.  For more information, call 630-502-8335.

Cantigny Park to host Civil War Reenactment

Cantigny Park will host a Civil War Reenactment Oct 4. and Oct. 5. The event will include a Civil War cannon fire, living history portrayals, and educational activities for all ages. Visitors can watch portrayals of Civil War soldiers, Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln and others. The event is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday. There is a $5 per vehicle parking fee. The park is located at 1S151 S. Winfield Road, Wheaton. For more information, call 630-668-5161

Holmstad's annual bazaar features crafts and more

The Holmstad will conduct its 37th annual bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 4. Shoppers will find hand-made crafts, gently used furniture and other items for the home. For more information, call 630-879-4000.

Elburn Lions Club plans Fall Classic All Wheel Show

The Elburn Lions Club will host its 21st annual Fall Classic All Wheel Show Oct. 5 at Lions Park, 500 S. Fillmore St., Elburn. The show will open at 8 a.m. and will feature 40 classes for cars, trucks, and motorcycles. The event also includes a craft show and children’s activities. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Admission is free for spectators. 

St. Mark's to offer annual Blessing of the Animals

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Geneva will conduct its annual Blessing of the Animals at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 5 on the lawn of the old courthouse on Third Street in downtown Geneva. The public is invited to bring animals of all sizes, including dogs, cats, horses, cows, birds, pigs, turtles, snakes, and lizards. The church conducts the blessing in conjunction with the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

Garfield Farm’s celebrates Harvest Days

Garfield Farm Museum continues its Harvest Days celebration Oct. 5 with continuous demonstrations of 19th century farm skills. The day’s activities begin at 11:30 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. The event also will include period music and food. The museum is located on Garfield Road, north of Illinois Route 38 in Campton Hills. For more information, call 630-584-8485.

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Batavia's annual Art In Your Eye Fest opens Sept. 19

The 10th annual Art In Your Eye Festival will open at 6 p.m. Sept. 19 in downtown Batavia and will continue through Sept. 21, offering exhibits, live music, and attractions for all ages.

The festival will be open 10 a.m. to 10: 30 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For a schedule of events, click here. Admission and parking are free.

The festival features a fine arts show, an exhibit at Batavia’s City Hall, the Avenue of the Arts, and children’s art activities. The festival also includes a beer and wine tent, and activities at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave. Food will be available for purchase.

Friday’s schedule includes musical entertainment by Noah’s Arcade at 6 p.m. and Libido Funk Circus at 8 p.m. 

Saturday’s musical entertainment schedule features performances by Spectators at 6 p.m. and Modern Day Romeos at 8 p.m. 

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Rustic Road Farm offers quality foods

A trio of goats greets visitors to Rustic Road Farm in Elburn.  

                                                                                 (Kevin Botterman photo)

If you are in the market for quality meats, eggs and produce, be sure to visit Rustic Road Farm at 1N292 Brundige Road, Elburn. Lori and I enjoyed our recent outing to the farm and later thoroughly enjoyed ham steak and veggies we purchased. Rustic Road is a GMO-free farm offering pasture-raised pork and sustainably raised fruit and vegetables. The farm also sells terrific raw honey. If you visit the farm, be sure to have a camera at hand. The goats, pigs and chickens provide plenty of photo opportunities. Shoppers can find Rustic Road Farm products at the Batavia Farmers’ Market, which is open 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Oct. 18.

Peaceful Parlour to host Twilight on Terrace Sept. 19

Peaceful Parlour in Geneva will host the final session of its Twilights on the Terrace music series from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 19. Peaceful Parlour is located at 212 S. Third St. in downtown Geneva. Guitarist Bruce Hecksel and vocalist Julie Patchouli will entertain. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for the free event. Food will be available for purchase.

NIU touts Ron Modell, jazz program

The Fall 2014 edition of Northern Now, an NIU Alumni Association publication, features an interesting article about Ron Modell, founder of NIU’s jazz program. Under Modell’s leadership, NIU’s jazz band became one of the finest in the nation. Readers, even those not particularly interested in jazz, will enjoy the article.

Brianna's Pancake Cafe serves up hearty meals

I recommend visiting Brianna’s Pancake Cafe, 151 Illinois Route 38, Elburn. Diners can enjoy some pancakes, as I did, or a steak omelet, which I also sampled. Lori and I visited Brianna’s on a recent Saturday afternoon. We selected items from the breakfast menu, but Brianna's also offers sandwiches, burgers and entrees. We enjoyed the meal, liked the service, and look forward to our next opportunity to dine at Briana’s.

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