Shades of Autumn starts this weekend

From the Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Shades of Autumn starts this weekend
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwnewsgroup.com

JOHNSBURG – As summer sandals go back into the closet and sweaters are worn again, there's sure to be nostalgia for a sip of warm apple cider or a hayride.

To usher in the cooling temperatures and all that is celebrated about the fall season, the public is invited to Shades of Autumn, an annual festival hosted by Stade’s Farm and Market, 3709 Miller Road, Johnsburg.

The six-week festival starts at 10 a.m. Saturday and continues every weekend until Oct. 26.

Saturday's festivities kick off with a classic car and truck show, swap meet, craft show, petting zoo, corn maze and other attractions. Throughout the day, there also will be live oldies and rock 'n' roll music and plenty to eat.

"We'll have lots of home-cooked food," owner Vern Stade said. "We have homemade apple-cider donuts and home-cooked apple pies."

Among the most popular attractions will be a 40-foot long, air-powered cannon that shoots pumpkins up to 2,000 feet. Especially for children, there will rides on a combine, styled after Frank from the movie "Cars." There also will be 30 acres of pumpkins for picking, hayrides, and a giant sandbox filled with corn in which children can play.

"It's all country atmosphere, and unique country attractions," Stade said. "And the crop is looking really excellent this year."

Last year, between 20,000 and 25,000 people came to the festival.

No pre-registration is required for the swap meet or craft fair.

For information, visit shadesofautumn.net, stadesfarmandmarket.com or call 815-675-6396.

If you go
What: Shades of Autumn at Stade’s Farm.
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 26.
Where: Stade’s Farm and Market, 3709 Miller Road, Johnsburg.
Cost: Admission and parking is free. Food, beverages and corn are available to buy. Varying fees charged for hay ride, other attractions.