ROCKFORD — Fall in the Rockford area means experiencing apple orchards, pumpkin patches, hay rides, haunted houses and more.
Here’s your guide to enjoying all that the fall season has to offer in the region.
Apple/pumpkin orchards
Curran’s Apple Orchard, 6385 Kilburn Ave., Rockford
Open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m
At Curran’s Orchard, you can pick from more than a dozen varieties of apples, pre-picked or handpicked. The orchard also features a glass beehive, petting pen, fall crafts, apple slingshot, corn tunnel, straw tunnel and straw bale pyramid. There are also hay rides on weekends.
Allowed: http://curransorchard.com/
Edwards Apple Orchard, 7061 Centerville Road, Poplar Grove
Open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m
Edwards Orchard is a fourth generation family farm with 15 family members working together in the business. The orchard has grown to 100 hectares of apples, pumpkins, squash, gourds and berries. The orchard has 50,000 apple trees and they grow more than 30 varieties of apples.
Allowed: https://edwardsorchard.farm/
Edwards West Apple Orchard, 8218 Cemetery Road, Winnebago
Open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m
The orchard is located in the rolling hills of northwest Winnebago County and includes apples, cider, pumpkins, raspberries, a dairy store, and children’s play areas.
Allowed: https://www.edwardsorchardwest.com/
Valley Orchard, 811 E. State St., Cherry Valley
Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m
Valley Orchard is a 35-acre family-owned orchard with approximately 5,000 apple trees. You can choose to pick your own apples or buy apples that are picked daily. You can also pick: raspberries, (both in summer and autumn), blueberries and blackberries. Orchard tours and field activities include a wagon ride, an apple for each child to take home, and an informative talk about the apple orchard and apple grading. Children can play in the haystack and maze.
Allowed: https://thevalleyorchard.com/
Jonamac Orchard, 19412 Shabbona Road, Malta
Open every day from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m
Visit the u-pick apple orchard or the u-pick pumpkin patch. There is also a corn maze and a cider house with apple wine and hard cider.
Allowed: https://jonamacorchard.com/
Thyme and Again Farm, 11515 IL Route 2, Byron
The 110-acre farm includes a pumpkin patch, squash, apples and specialty produce. The farm is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm
The Lindberg Pumpkin Patch, 3178 IL Route 173, Caledonia
Pick your own pumpkin or choose from pre-picked pumpkins at the Harvest Barn. Enjoy a tractor ride and corn maze. Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until October 31
Allowed: https://lindbergpumpkinpatch.com/
Fall foliage in Rockford
Enjoy the changing colors of the region’s leaves in one of these peaceful outdoor spots.
Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
The 12-acre Japanese garden was voted one of the best in North America. The gardens are open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Allowed: https://andersongardens.org/
Atwood Park, 2685 New Milford School Road, Rockford
The park has 334 acres of land with forested habitats, grasslands, rivers and swamps.
Allowed: https://rockfordparkdistrict.org/atwood-park
Winnebago County Forest Preserves
The 44 forest preserves cover more than 11,000 acres in Winnebago County.
Allowed: https://www.winnebagoforest.org/
Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford
The 155-acre living museum filled with gardens and rare trees is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Allowed: https://klehm.org/
Nygren Wetland Preserve, 3714 W. Rockton Road, Rockton
The 721-acre stretch near the confluence of the Rock River and the Pecatonica River is an important stopover and nesting site for many bird species.
Allowed: https://www.naturalland.org/carl-myrna-nygren-wetland/
Rock Cut State Park, 7223 West Lane Road, Loves Park
Be sure to visit Rock Cut State Park as the leaves begin to change color. The park has a total of 3,092 acres of land and is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Allowed: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/RockCut.aspx
Special events in Rockford
Saturday Fun at the Farm
What: The Lockwood Park Trailside Equestrian Center and Children’s Farm is home to a wide variety of animals, including pigs, llamas, sheep, horses, goats, rabbits, ducks and donkeys. Explore over 146 acres of rolling hills, meadows, forests, natural areas, streams, a 15-mile trail system (hiking, biking or horseback riding), playground, picnic areas and more.
When: Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays until October 29
Where: Lockwood Park Trailside Equestrian Center and Children’s Farm, 5201 Safford Road, Rockford
Fall Family Fun Fair
What: Carnival games, bounce houses, face painting, crafts and popcorn games. The public is welcome.
When: September 24 from 1 to 4 p.m
Where: Puri Family YMCA, 1475 S. Perryville Road, Rockford
Allowed: https://rockriverymca.org/PuriFamilyY/
Cider and Cinnamon Craft Fair
What: Local makers will showcase a variety of art, jewelry, crafts, clothing, home decor, vintage and more. Enjoy delicious food and live music both days. Get a head start on your holiday shopping with unique, local finds for the gift-giving season. In addition to vendors, all Edgebrook merchants and restaurants will have regular business hours, adding to the pleasure of shopping and dining.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, October 1; From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, October 2
Where: Edgebrook Mall, 1605 N. Alpine Road, Rockford
Allowed: https://edgebrookshops.com/events/cider-n-cinnamon-arts-craft-fair/
Oktoberfest presented by The German Society of Rockford
What: The festival features German food and beer, a chicken dance, Miss Oktoberfest contest, beer keg race, sausage race, yodeling contest and bartending race. Menu options include potato pancakes, bratwurst, schnitzel, sauerkraut and more. Two-day advance tickets are $14. Gate tickets are $10 per day.
When: From 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, October 1
Where: Loves Park City Hall, 200 Heart Blvd., Loves Park
Allowed: https://www.facebook.com/GermanOktoberfest/
It scared the Dells off
What: The festival features German food and beer, a chicken dance, Miss Oktoberfest contest, beer keg race, sausage race, yodeling contest and bartending race. Menu options include potato pancakes, bratwurst, schnitzel, sauerkraut and more. Two-day advance tickets are $14. Gate tickets are $10 per day.
When: From 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, October 28
Where: Severson Dells Nature Center, 8786 Montague Road, Rockford
Allowed: https://www.seversondells.com/
Twisted Crypt Haunted House
What: The 10,000 square foot space offers mayhem, gore, mystery, mazes and interactive exhibition halls. Experience sights, sounds, smells and creatures lurking around every corner.
When: Twisted Crypt will be open from 7pm to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays until Halloween.
Where: 5420 E. State St., Rockford
Allowed: https://www.twistedcrypt.com/
Ken DeCoster covers business news and features. Contact him at 815-987-1391, kdecoster@rrstar.com or @DeCosterKen.
