SPRINGFIELD — Watch a parade of classic cars, sample some German beer or let your inner artist emerge.
Fall festivals are on the cusp and while the calendar may not say it’s exactly fall, you can indulge anyway.
Some festivals are free, but some have admission fees. Check the contact information provided for more details.
Here are some festivals worth checking out:
Fae Folk Art Festival
Mythical creatures abound at this annual gathering put on by the Fae Folk Collective in downtown Springfield.
There is a costume contest, storytelling, music and a braiding contest. Costumed actors will be interacting with patrons, who can enjoy craft activities, facepainting and food trucks.
Where: Union Square Park, 500 E. Madison St.
When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sept. 6
More: Visit the Fae Folk Art Festival’s Facebook page.
Historic Marbold Farmstead Heritage Festival
The Greenview festival includes Civil War reenactors, period demonstrations, antique tractors and other machinery, and music by Blue Grasshoppers, Josie Lowder and Brandon Elliott. The Tour de Heartland offers cyclists two different routes.
The centerpiece is the 1850s era farmstead which has undergone a renaissance over the last decade or so thanks to farmstead association volunteers.
Where: 21722 Illinois 29, Greenview
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sept. 6-7
More: historic-marbold-farmstead.org
Edwards Place Fine Art Fair
The 37th annual Edwards Place Fine Art Fair on the campus of the Springfield Art Association features artwork from artists from around the country exhibiting a variety of media.
The Fine Art Fair also has live music, art demos, food trucks, an expanded used book sale and more. Tours of the historic Edwards Place, a 190-year-old Italianate mansion, go throughout the weekend.
Where: 700 N. Fourth St.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sept 20; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 21
More: springfieldart.org
Buzz Bomb Oktoberfest
Buzz Bomb’s Oktoberfest returns with several German styles of beers, along with brews from other local breweries. Musical headliner is The Goddamn Gallows, the psychobilly-country band known for its carnivalesque and punk rock style and live concert antics. Coleman Williams and Jayke Orvis & the Bullshit Bros also are on tap.
The outdoor festival will also include food, vendors, games and children’s activities.
Where: Buzz Bomb Brewing Company, 406 E. Adams St.
When: 3 p.m., Sept. 20
More: buzzbombbrewingco.com
International Route 66 Mother Road Festival
The Mother Road has a mother of a festival in Springfield, drawing nearly 1,500 classic and antique cars and other vintage vehicles to downtown between Washington and Capitol streets and Fourth and Seventh streets Sept. 26-28.
Adrienne Janić (“AJ”), former host of TLC’s “Overhaulin'”, an automotive reality TV series, will be a special guest of the festival. It kicks off with the Route 66 City Nights Cruise from the Capitol City Shopping Center on Dirksen Parkway to downtown at 6:15 p.m. Sept. 26. There is live music, a Miss Mother Road Contest, kids activities, a 5K race and an awards show.
Where: Downtown Springfield
When: Sept. 26-28
More: Route66Fest.com
Fall Harvest Festival
The Fall Harvest Festival returns to one of the most serene 100-acre settings in Springfield, a re-creation of the native landscape that the 16th president would have known.
Activities include artisan demonstrations and exhibits, fairy house building, a tree troll program, face painting, music and entertainment. First-place entries in the photo contest will be on display.
Where: Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 East Lake Shore Drive
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 11-12
More: lincolnmemorialgarden.org
Artisan & Antique Market
The Artisan & Antique Market, hosted by the Dream Center, the Brinkerhoff Mansion and the Ursuline Music Conservatory, offers up over 150 vendors, food trucks, a jump house, live music and more.
The grounds are the former home to Ursuline Academy and Springfield College in Illinois/Benedictine University.
Where: Sixth Street between Keys Avenue and Eastman Avenue.
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 4. The rain date is Oct. 5.
More: Visit the Brinkerhoff Mansion Facebook page.
Carve for the Carillon/Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
Bring your carving tools and your imaginations to Carve for the Carillon. The Springfield Park District supplies the pumpkins (while they last).
Carve for the Carillon is a run-up to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular when the artistry will be on display. You also can take away a decorate pumpkin for a donation.
Where: Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, Washington Park, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., around the Carillon and Botanical Garden
When: Carve for the Carillon, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 11-12; Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Oct. 17-18
More: carillon-rees.org
Night Glow Festival
At dusk, the skies will light up with the glow of hot air balloons at Southwind Park. For a night glow, the tethered balloons are lit up by handlers using burners in a synchronised display, usually set to music.
Food trucks will be available. The event is weather-dependent and will not be rescheduled in case of cancellation.
Where: Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St.
When: 6 to 9 p.m., Sept. 18
More: springfieldparks.org
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Check out these festivals in and around the Springfield area
Reporting by Steven Spearie, Springfield State Journal- Register / State Journal-Register
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