Horticulture Center Autumnal Festival, Oct. 7

Date: 9/20/06
Contact: Eric Jome

A guided bird walk, a visit to a pumpkin patch, food and children's activities will all be part of the Autumnal Festival at Illinois State University's Horticulture Center on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The Autumnal Festival will begin at 9 a.m. with a bird walk led by Illinois State University ornithologist Angelo Capparella. The walk will begin at the southeastern parking area at Heartland Community College on Raab Rd. The festival will also feature children's activities from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Visitors will also be able to explore the Horticulture Center's pumpkin patch and buy pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks and mums.

Area organizations including the Children's Discovery Museum, the Ecology Action Center, Illinois Ag in the Classroom - McLean County, Normal Public Library - Children's Department, and the University of Illinois Extension McLean County - Master Gardeners will have displays on site.

The Autumnal Festival is a fundraiser for Illinois State's Horticulture Center, a recently developed 10 acre site north of the University Golf Course. The Center serves as a living laboratory for student and faculty horticulture research. When fully developed, the Center will also feature various demonstration gardens and restored prairie areas that will be open for public visits.

The Horticulture Center is located off Raab Rd. in Normal, between Lincoln College and Heartland Community College. Off street parking will be available at the site. For more information on the Horticulture Center and the Autumnal Festival visit www.horticulturecenter.ilstu.edu or contact Jessica Chambers at (309) 438-3496.