Danada Festival is This Weekend in Wheaton

Tis the season of pumpkins, scarecrows, Oktoberfests and all things fall.

The upcoming weekend is jam-packed with fun festivals happening throughout the Chicago suburbs. We've highlighted some of the festivals and events that we think would be a fun time for area residents and their families.

Below, we've listed 11 awesome festivals -- some of them are nearby and others are a bit of a drive. If we missed one, be sure to let us know by e-mailing editor Amie Schaenzer at amie.schaenzer@patch.com.

Scarecrow Festival in St. Charles

• Where: Downtown St. Charles (festival map can be found below)
• When: Oct. 7 through Oct. 9; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday
• What: The annual scarecrow festival contest will feature over 100 scarecrows on display -- all creations of local businesses, non-profits and area residents. There will also be musical entertainment, family-friendly activities, a make-your-own scarecrow event, pumpkin decorating for kids, Topgolf’s Golf game simulator and much more. The ever-popular Autumn on the Fox Arts & Crafts Show, with handmade arts and crafts from more than 150 exhibitors will take place in Pottawatomie Park.

Here is a look at the Scarecrow Fest's full schedule of events and also a festival map:

More information via St. Charles Patch

Batavia Oktoberfest

• When: Oct. 7 and 8; from 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday
• Where: North River Street in Downtown Batavia
• What: There will be beer, German food from local vendors including Enticing Cuisine and Café 20, German bands, entertainment, fun activities for the kids in our Kinder-land area and more. Traditional German attire is encouraged and will be celebrated through the Dirndl and Lederhosen contest. The event is free and there are tickets are available for the purchase of food and drinks at locations throughout the fest.

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit the Batavia Oktoberfest website

Forest Preserve of DuPage County’s Danada Festival

• When: 11 a.m. to 5 pdan.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9
• Where: Danada Equestrian Center, 3S507 Naperville Road in Wheaton
• What: The family-friendly “celebration of the horse” will be held on Oct. 9. Admission is free. The event will include a horse show that will feature parade of breeds, MidWest Renegades Equestrian Drill Team, Northern Illinois Outlaws Cowboy Mounted Shooting, Danada Musical Drill Team and other performers. There will also be hayrides, pony rides, stable tours, food, pumpkin and face painting, horse-care demos and more. There will be fees for some activities, like pony rides and hayrides.

For more information and for a full schedule of events, visit the Danada Fall Festival website

Ghosts in the Graveyard at Blackberry Farm

• When: Oct. 7, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
• Where: Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road
• Who: Geared toward “tweens” ages 9 to 13 years old
• What: Grab your flashlights and get ready to party at Blackberry Farm. Enjoy the wagon and carousel, bonfire with s’mores and spooky stories, followed by a flashlight skeleton hunt. Dinner is included with admission. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $9 for residents and $12 for non-residents.

For more information and to register, visit the Fox Valley Park District

Harvest Festival in Buffalo Grove

• When: From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 8
• Where: Kingswood United Methodist Church, 401 W. Dundee Road in buffalo Grove
• What: Kingswood United Methodist Church in Buffalo Grove will host the 11th annual harvest festival this weekend. Admission to the festival is free to the public. Families can enjoy activities such as a petting zoo, carnival games, crafts, an inflatable bouncy house, music and a puppet show starting at 3 p.m. Pumpkins will be available for purchase on the front lawn with pumpkin decorating crafts and a bake sale as well.

More via the HarvestFest Facebook page

Mount Prospect Oktoberfest and Fall Fest

• When: Oct. 7 and Oct. 8
• Where: Emerson Street and Busse Avenue in Mount Prospect
• What: There will be pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treat candy line, hay rides and food and music in the downtown area. Join in the fun of celebrating Mount Prospect’s heritage with authentic German food, spirits and music. The Phenix German Band will perform from 6 until 11 p.m. on Saturday.

More information via the Mount Prospect Oktoberfest Facebook Page

DIY Scarecrow Day

• When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Where: Downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Road
• What: Everyone’s invited to come out to Historic Downtown Long Grove to help build and dress your own scarecrow to be displayed along the streets of Long Grove. This event takes place on Towner Green. A $5 voluntary donation helps cover the costs of the materials and proceeds will benefit local food shelters.The Historic Downtown Long Grove Business District will provide each guest a basic structure for their scarecrow, bales of straw, and building guidance. Participants are asked to provide “old” clothing, shoes, hats, gloves, and accessories to dress their scarecrow. All of the leftover clothing will be donated. The Scarecrows will be on display throughout the month of October and town visitors will have the opportunity to vote for their favorites.

For more information and to register, visit the Historic Downtown Long Grove website

Arlington Heights Autumn Harvest Fest

• When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 8
• Where: North School Park, Eastman Street and Arlington Heights Road
• What: There will be a petting zoo, scarecrow building contest, face painting and crafts, food vendors, hayrides and all-day entertainment.

More via the Arlington Heights Park District website

Palatine Stables Fall Fest

• When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 8
• Where: Palatine Stables, 1510 W. Northwest Highway
• What: Pony rides, petting zoo, wagon rides, make and take crafts, kids zone, live entertainment, and more.

More information via the Palatine Park District

Trucks, Trunks and Treats

• When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 8
• Where: Vernon Hills Family Aquatic Center, 635 N. Aspen Drive in Vernon Hills
• What: The Vernon Hills Park District has taken a traditional touch-a-truck event, added a hint of Halloween, and a whole lotta trucks. Be sure to wear your favorite Halloween costume to this event for families on Saturday, October 8. There will be huge trucks, tiny cars and all things in between. Bring your trick-or-treat bags too, because the operators of each vehicle will have candy and other treats available. Be sure to stick around and hop aboard our hayride or jump around in our bounce house. This event will be cancelled in case of inclement weather. The cost is $3 per child and 2 years old and under are free. You can purchase tickets online or at Sullivan or Lakeview Fitness centers.

More via the Trucks, Trunks and Treats Facebook page

Island Lake Fall Festival

Photo credit: DuPage Forest Preserve District