Visitors to this weekend’s Fall Fest at Hoover Forest Preserve in Yorkville will learn up close about wildlife and insects native to the area. (Photo courtesy of Forest Foundation of Kendall County)

The bugs may have retreated for the season, but they’ll be alive and well this weekend at Hoover Forest Preserve in Yorkville where Kendall County’s annual Fall Fest will take place.

Hosted by the Forest Foundation of Kendall County, the free family-friendly, event will focus on nature’s creepiest critters — bugs.  There will also be music, educational opportunities, demonstrations and campfire songs.

“It’s a great, fun, family-friendly, nature-inspired festival,” said Forest Foundation Vice President Jennine Kristianson. “We want people to come out and enjoy the park and the weather. It’s usually beautiful out.”

Not only is the event fun and chock-full of events for nature-lovers of all ages, it’s also way to raise funds for the Kendall County Forest Preserve District, and to help the district uphold its mission.

“The Forest Preserve District doesn’t do any fundraising for itself,” Kristianson said. So, in 2007, the Forest Foundation of Kendall County was founded as a 501(c)(3) organization to take care of that goal for them.

Kristianson said the foundation’s purpose is to support the Kendall County Forest Preserve District’s mission to preserve and manage natural areas and open spaces, provide environmental education and offer recreational opportunities for Kendall County residents. There are about 20 members on the foundation’s board.

Storyteller, environmental educator and cultural history interpreter Andy Talley will return to this year’s Fall Fest to be held Oct. 8 at the Hoover Forest Preserve in Yorkville. (Photo courtesy of Forest Foundation of Kendall County)

By hosting the free Fall Fest, which draws up to 700 people each year, the foundation is able to raise funds through sponsorships. As of now, it is the foundation’s sole fundraiser.

“Right now (the Fall Fest) has been our big focus. It does take a lot of time,” Kristianson said. “But there has been talk of putting together more community awareness events at other forest preserves.”

Until then, there will be plenty going on Oct. 8, when animals, amphibians, bugs and creepy critters of all sorts take over Hoover Forest Preserve for the Fall Fest.

Included in this year’s line-up is local music from the Americana folk rock band Redhorse; classic, country and southern rock from Acoustic Refreshment’s Jeff LaMarre; and ensemble performances from the Fox River Academy of Music & Art.

Kristianson said she is also excited to bring back storyteller, environmental educator and cultural history interpreter Andy Talley and Hall of Fame trainer Tom Wehrli and his popular Champion Frisbee dogs.

Admission to the Forest Foundation Fall Fest is free and will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. Hoover Forest Preserve is located at 11285 Fox Road in Yorkville, just 1.5 miles west of Route 47. Food will be available for purchase, including Kendall County Pork Producers’ famous Pork Burgers.

— Fall Fest a ‘nature-inspired’ fundraiser for Forest Foundation —