Fall Festivities & Folk Concert at The Grove

Join us for Fall Family Festivities all day long! Advance registration is required for some activities. Click on the name to register.
Refreshments will be available for purchase: taffy apples, donuts, popcorn, non-alcoholic beverages.

9-10 am • OAKtober Tree Trot
Join us on a special guided trail walk led by Village of Glenview’s Arborist and Natural Resource Manager, Robyn Flakne, as she focuses on the native tree of Illinois growing at The Grove, especially our mighty oaks.
Free; no registration required

9-11 am • Kennicott House Garden Tours
Originally Doctor John Kennicott’s medicinal garden, come tour the formal four-square garden of The Kennicott House maintained by the Glenview Gardeners. Don’t forget to stop and smell, touch, taste, see, and listen to the plants in the sensory garden and look for pollinators in the flowers at the newly opened butterfly garden.
Free drop-in activity; no registration required

10-11 am • Paint the Kennicott House with Watercolors
Watercolor painting is an art form that predates the 1856 Kennicott House. Get serious or silly, use your creativity and imagination, and paint your very own limited edition Historic Kennicott House numbered print using water colors. Paint it pink, with pumpkins, or covered in polka-dots- It’s your unique piece of Grove art. All material provided. ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
Ages: 2 +. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
R/NR: $12/$14

11 am-12 pm • Story Time + Pioneer Activities in the Log Cabin
Meet at The Grove’s authentic Log Cabin to hear what life was like on the frontier through stories adapted from the original Little House on the Prairie series and told by interpreters dressed in period clothing. Follow Laura and her family as they plant their roots in prairie America in the 1800’s. Afterwards, we’ll try chores and hands-on activities from the books. Guests are welcomed to dress the part in clothing inspired by Little House books. ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
Ages: 2+
R/NR: $8/$10

12-2 pm • Square Dancing Demonstrations
Illinois’ state dance is good for the heart, good for the mind, and so much fun! Stop by the Program Barn, take a look around, make yourself at home, and check out what square dancing is all about. Dances performed by the Glenview Squares.
Free drop-in activity; no registration required

1-4 pm • Hayrides
If sitting on a wagon filled with hay and singing songs while you’re pulled through The Grove’s woodlands sounds like a fun fall activity, this program is for you! Enjoy the beauty of nature during autumn on a tractor pulled ride that will take you on an enchanted trip through the woods and along The Grove prairie. All ages welcome. Rides scheduled every 20 minutes. Last ride at 3:40 pm. ADVANCE TICKET PURCHASE REQUIRED.
Tickets: $4/person.

2-3 pm • Grove History Hike
Experience a new kind of guided walking tour of The Grove grounds and historical buildings. Not only will you come across spectacular views of nature, you will also learn more about The Grove’s history as we hike to the Native American Indian Village, the Pioneer Log Cabin, the Blacksmith’s Shop, and the Historic Kennicott House.  This is a relatively easy hike accessible to a wide range of walkers and a great way to learn about and appreciate the flora and fauna of Illinois and the history of The Grove. ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
Ages: 7+
R/NR: $5

3-4 pm • Pioneer Toys: Play, Make & Take
Pioneer children loved having fun and playing – just like kids today. Their games and toys required minimal supplies but plenty of creativity and imagination. Discover some of these old fashion battery-less toys, learn how to use your imagination to play with them, and make your own toys to take home. All supplies and materials included. ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
Ages: 2+. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
R/NR: $12/14

Please note: Grove grounds and buildings will be open for public visitation on 10/2. We will be following all current local, county, state and CDC guidance and regulations to keep everyone safe.