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In Title: There are apple donuts, pies and taffy at the Long Grove Apple Fest near Chicago, but this young visitor likes her apples plain. Lake County Illinois Convention and Visitors Bureau photo
Above: Some of the delicious fare available at Conner Prairie’s Country Fair, which re-creates the sights, sounds and flavors of a vintage American harvest fest. Conner Prairie photo
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Perfectly plump pumpkins
Pumpkins are venerated at the 42nd Annual Morton Pumpkin Festival, Sept.10–13. Morton, Ill., the self-proclaimed pumpkin capital of the world, processes more than 80 percent of the nation’s canned pumpkin.
“Over a hundred thousand tons of pumpkin are canned here for the Libby label,” said Morton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mike Badgerow. “But don’t worry–we’ll have plenty of pumpkins left for the festival.”
Although there are more than 130 locally grown pumpkin varieties, the orange orb remains the festival favorite, used in countless culinary concoctions including donuts, fudge and chili. My pick is the pumpkin pancakes served only on Saturday morning during the all-you-can-eat pumpkin pancake breakfast. Don’t forget to save room for pie. Morton’s local Mennonite community bakes and slices more than 1,500 pumpkin pies, served with or without whipped cream.
If you miss this year’s pumpkin festival, take heart; Morton’s Pumpkin Chuckin’ Weekend will be Oct. 18–19. Considered the ultimate agricultural team and spectator sport, pumpkin chucking allows visitors to chuck (launch) a pumpkin via trebuchet, catapult or air cannon in hopes of setting coveted distance records. Spectators can enjoy the competition with a bowl of pumpkin ice cream. For information, call (309) 263-2491.
Copious corn kernels
Mountains of corn and acres of activities re-create the charm of a country fair at the Godfrey Corn Festival. On Oct. 4, Glazebrook Park (1401 Stamper Lane) in this southwestern Illinois community is transformed with displays of corn stalks, pumpkins and antique tractors. Plan to arrive before noon to catch the corn eating and corn cooking competitions.
“I couldn’t have gotten a better job at Corn Fest,” said Don Diserens, a corn cooking contest judge who gladly sampled contestant entries from appetizers to sides. “I love to eat, especially corn.”
Before heading home, let the kids check out the Corn Crib (a kernel filled sandbox) or challenge yourself with a stroll through Godfrey’s seven-acre corn maze, which continues operation after the Corn Festival through October. For more information, call (618) 466-1483.
For those who prefer their corn popped, take in Valparaiso’s Popcorn Festival in northern Indiana. Centered at Courthouse Square (16 East Lincoln Way) on Sept. 6, the festival pays homage to both the local popcorn crop and native son Orville Redenbacher. Popcorn Fest pops more than 1,000 pounds of popcorn for the day with more than half of that used to create Valparaiso’s popcorn-covered parade floats. Call (219) 464-8332 for additional information.
Apples all around
Following Kimmswick’s bicentennial project, the first Apple Butter Festival began in 1977 and is now one of the largest food festivals in Missouri. Today, the Kimmswick Apple Butter Festival, held the last weekend in October, produces thousands of jars of the spicy, sweet spread and can use up to eight copper kettles to demonstrate at the city’s permanent Apple Butter Pavilion.
“No matter how many kettles of apple butter we make, we always sell out,” said Kimmswick Mayor Pat Reno. “It’s not unusual to have 60,000 people here before nine in the morning, all looking for a chance to buy a couple jars before the apple butter is gone.”
While apple butter is the hottest Kimmswick commodity, festival-goers can shop from an eclectic merchandise mix and sample numerous apple delights in this hamlet located south of St. Louis. For information, call (636) 464-7407.
Apple aficionados near Chicago make Long Grove’s Apple Festival an annual pilgrimage.
“It’s all about the apple,” said Long Grove spokesperson Kelley Happ. “From our famous Brown Bag Apple Pies to apple cider donuts and apple martinis, we have everything apple you could possibly think of, even a make-your-own taffy apple booth.”
Visitors to Long Grove’s Apple Fest (Oct. 3–5) receive an added bonus, spectacular fall foliage, providing a picturesque setting for browsing the village’s restaurants, shops, taverns or taking in a concert at Fountain Square or the covered bridge. For information, call (847) 634-0888 or visit www.longgroveonline.com.
Fall food specialties
Food festivals with an ethnic focus are traditional favorites. Since 1914, the Swiss of Green County, Wis., have staged Cheese Days. Because the event had grown so large, Monroe City fathers decided to offer it every other year. This year, the festival will be Sept. 19–21, with most events staged on Monroe’s downtown square on 16th Avenue. After watching the cheese-making demonstration, queue up at the Monroe Optimists booth for the ultimate Cheese Days treat of fried cheese curds. For information, call (608) 325-7771, or visit www.cheesedays.com.
Nestled in the Arkansas Ozarks is the Ozark Folk Center at Mountain View, host of Herb Harvest Festival on Oct. 3–4. The weekend features the center’s renowned heritage herb gardens, demonstrations and herbalists selling an assortment of products and plants and an optional dinner.
“A highlight of the festival is the Herb Harvest Dinner that features seasonal meats, vegetables and fruits prepared with herbs,” said Tina Wilcox, Ozark Folk Center interpreter. The dinner will be Oct. 2. “The focus of the Herb Harvest Festival this year will be heritage seeds.”
Workshop registration is required and priced at $45 a day or $85 for both days (cost increases to $55 and $90 for reservations made after Sept. 24). Admission to the Ozark Folk Center, which includes herb garden tours, is $10. For more information, call (870) 269-3851.
For a taste of the past, travel back in time to 19th-century Indiana at Conner Prairie’s Country Fair, Sept. 20–21. Conner Prairie’s living history program re-creates the sights, sounds and flavors of a vintage American harvest festival and agricultural exhibition. Tour the exhibits and sample heirloom apples while watching the judging of canned goods, pies and cakes produced from vintage recipes and cooked over wood stoves.
Afterwards linger and listen to period music with a caramel apple or take in the 1880s-style baseball game with a mug of fresh pressed apple cider. Admission for Conner Prairie is $11 for adults, kids $7, seniors 65 plus, $10. AAA members receive a $1.50 discount. For additional information, call (317) 776-6000.
For a smorgasbord of tastes, check out the Best of Missouri Market at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis Oct. 4–5. From 9 a.m.–5 p.m. each day, browse an extensive food court as well as dozens of country stands filled with fresh produce, flowers, plants, herbs, nuts, candies, meats, mushrooms, seasonings, salsas and baked goods from Missouri’s finest farmers and producers. In addition to the food, artisans will offer handcrafted items such as willow furniture, carved wooden birds, dried flowers, decorative ironwork, pottery, custom jewelry and garden ornaments.
While you shop, listen to live music and enjoy the splendor of the fall scenery in the garden and the temporary pop art sculptures of Nikki de Saint Phalle. And when the kids get fidgety, take them to the Kids Corner where they can decorate a pumpkin, milk a cow and pet farm animals.
The Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors 65 and older, and $3 for Garden members and children 3–12. For details, call (314) 577-9400 or visit online at www.mobot.org.
Suzanne Corbett is a contributor from St. Louis, Mo.
