Autumn means apple picking, Starbucks pumpkin spiced lattés, bonfires, and football games. What’s not to love? To celebrate Fall, we rounded up the best activities around the Evanston area for you to do. Take a study break and enjoy!
Fall Farmers’ Market
http://evanstonfarmersmarkets.org
Photo courtesy of Allen J Frantzen
When: 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday through November 8
Where: Intersection of University Place and Oak Ave (behind Hilton Garden Inn, east of East Railroad Ave)
What: Want farm fresh food? Fresh baked bread? Apple cider? All of these and more are available at the Farmer’s Market. There are 51 vendors selling not only food but also pumpkins, flowers, and even hats! On the website, check out who the vendors are, other locations for the market, and recipes.
Fun Facts: Some must-try options at the Market include:
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artisan coffee (dining hall coffee doesn’t even come CLOSE)
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Great Harvest baked goods (SO TASTY!)
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pumpkin butter
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pumpkin sourdough bread
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balsamic vinegar and olive oil stand (trust me… just take a tester)
All purchases support local economy and farming, plus there are TONS of free delicious testers!
Fall Fest
http://www.cityofevanston.org/news/2014/10/enjoy-the-farmers-market-fall-festival-on-october-25/
Photo courtesy of nhgpa.org
When: October 25, 9-11:30 a.m.
Where: the Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market (see above)
What: As an extension of the Farmers’ Market, everyone is invited to dress in costume and shop. They are giving costumed kids twelve and under a small pumpkin to decorate at the café, but maybe if you ask nicely enough they’ll give you one too. There will also be activities by the café and interactive dance with Foster Dance Studios.
Fun Facts: There will be a contest to see who can guess the weight of huge “Jack and Jill” pumpkins. The closest guess gets the pumpkin!
Evanston Trick or Treat Trot
http://www.evanstontrickortreattrot.com
Photo courtesy of Lan Nguyen of the Daily Northwestern
When: Oct. 26, 9:45 a.m.
Where: Centennial Park, Evanston
What: Dress up in costumes and run the fastest 6K in Illinois! The adult race begins at 9:45 a.m. and goes along the Lakefront path and through the NU campus! A portion of the proceeds will benefit Foundation 65, which raises and grants funds for literacy and the arts. Did I mention this is a great fun way to ward off the Freshman (or Sophomore, Junior or Senior…) 15? Bonus!
Fun Facts: shirts and goodie bags go to the first 1,000 registrants!
Didier Farms PumpkinFest
Photo courtesy of http://didierfarms.com
When: Open till October 31st, daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 16678 W. Aptakisic Road, Lincolnshire, Illinois
What: Want to get away from campus and the city for the day? Take an uber ($30 off your first ride with promo code FIRSTRIDE30!) and travel to Didier Farms. Release your inner kid with hayrides, pony rides, camel rides, and kiddie rides. It wouldn’t be pumpkinfest without picking some pumpkins either! Make sure to come hungry too: there’s a wide array of sweet treats and eats including taffy apples, pumpkin pie, sweet corn harvested daily, hot dogs, hot spiced apple cider, and apple cider cinnamon and glazed pumpkin donuts made daily at the farm. Yum!
Chicago Park District Events
Photo courtesy of Chris P. Zero
Want more? Check out http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/halloween/ for events in Chicago. There’s something happening every weekend in the parks! Put on your big girl pants and get your scare on – Halloween is only once a year after all. *Pumpkin and ghost emoji*