Lake County is an agricultural community. Before it became the cluster of suburban communities that it is today, it was mainly farms and small lakeside resorts.
If you go
Lake County Farm Heritage FestivalSept. 26-27
9 a.m. -4 p.m. Lakewood Forest Preserve27277 Forest Preserve Road
Wauconda, IL 60084
Daily admission – adults, children 4-17Weekend Pass – adults, children 4-17Children 3 and younger are free Purchase tickets online and save off general admission
Many of the farms in the area were what Lake County History refers to as “Gentleman’s Farms.” They were bought by Chicago businessmen who would then hire a farm manager to run them.
These farms became many of the towns and sites that those of us living in Lake County today know. Lakewood Farm, now the home of the Lake County Discovery Museum, will be honoring and celebrating that agricultural past at the upcoming Farm Heritage Festival.
Held yearly, The Farm Heritage Festival is a must-attend fall event for families. Co-sponsored by the Lake County Farm Heritage Association, it’s in it’s 233rd year and has something for everyone.
Truck-loving toddlers will love the hundreds of tractors, cars, engines and other farm machinery on display. There is a daily parade of vintage and antique trailers that you won’t want to miss and demonstrations on how the machines work, including daily threshing (the act of separating grain from a plant).
Animal lovers can watch sheep herding demonstrations and visit with the animals in the petting farm. Additional children’s activities include scarecrow making, wagon and barrel train rides and more.
While you are at the festival, check out the Growing up in Lake County exhibit at the Discovery Museum or hike the trails around Lakewood; it’s really one of the gems of Lake County!
