Weekend Planner: Take a Child Outside Edition

This week is Take a Child Outside Week, and with the beautiful crisp fall weather we’re expecting this weekend, it will be easy to “celebrate” this event.  Of course, there are also some official events to mark the occasion, and we stashed them all into a list. We’ve also highlighted one of them here, along with several other Champaign-Urbana picks to click. As weekends go around here, this one is pretty quiet:

What: Apple and Pork Festival 
When: Saturday and Sunday, Sept 29-30, 10 a.m. open each day
Where: C.H. Moore Homestead, Clinton ((219 East Woodlawn). Parking is available at the Clinton High School (1200 W. State Highway 54) with a donation.
How much: Free admission to the grounds; food available for sale, other items may be ticketed
Appropriate for: all ages
Why you should go: Plenty to do for the kids at this festival – Pony rides, petting zoo, craftsmen doing demonstrations, kiddie tractor pull, antique tractor display and more. Of course, lots of food, free music and more!

What: Mirror Mirror at Savoy 16  (Free Fall Movies)

Apple and Pork festival – what a great name! Check it out this weekend in Clinton. Morguefile photo

When: Sat., Sept. 29, and Sun., Sept 30, 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Where: Savoy 16
How much: Free (all the details here)
Appropriate for: all ages
Why you should go: Because if you’re like my family, you missed this one when it came into the theaters the first time. We were excited to see it on the list here!

What: Into Trees
When: Sat., Sept. 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Homer Lake Interpretive Center, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 2573 S Homer Lake Rd, Homer
How much: Free
Appropriate for: all ages
Why you should go: Families, stop by the Homer Lake Interpretive Center and enjoy a day of tree-related crafts, activities, and more. Making a leaf collection? Join us for guided hikes leaving at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Learn how to identify trees and which leaves are okay to collect; special permission will be granted to remove leaves from the forest preserve.

What: Zany Zoo Story Time at Urbana Free Library
When: Saturday, Sept. 29, 11 a.m.   
Where: Urbana Free Library
How much: Free 
Appropriate for: families
Why you should go: Go to the zoo without leaving Urbana. Come to the Library for a zoo filled storytime including stories, songs, and a craft.

What: UI Wind Orchestra at Krannert Center
When: Sunday, Sept. 30, 3 p.m.; lasts about 1 hour, 10 minutes with no intermission.   
Where: Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Urbana
How much: $10 adults, $4 students/youth 
Appropriate for: families
Why you should go: If you’ve ever wanted to expose your child to live music that is more of the classical variety, this is a good place to start.  The outstanding musicians in the UI Wind Orchestra excel at a wide range of musical styles and are committed to expanding band music’s reaches as they undertake works for large or small groups, traditional pieces, and new works. 

As always, find more family-friendly events at our events calendar. What are your plans?