Pub crawl, parades and pumpkin patches among O’Fallon’s fall events. Which are you going to?
The Pumpkin Patch is now open at the First United Methodist Church, a sure sign of festive fall and holiday activities in O’Fallon.
Known as the “pumpkin church,” the colorful display on the front lawn at 504 E. Highway 50, is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Thursday, Oct. 31.
For this fundraiser, volunteers handle four shifts a day, seven days a week for about two weeks, and this event has been going on for at least a dozen years.
Vine Street Market
While the Downtown District hosts many events throughout the year, the autumn activities from October through mid-December that focus on Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are crowd-pleasers.
The last weekly farmers’ market is set for this Saturday, Oct. 19, from 8 a.m. to noon at the O’Fallon Station. The season that began in May has gone very well, according to special event manager Samantha Sorrick
“We still have one more market, but we have already topped last year’s total visitor count by about 3,000 people, so we are maintaining in terms of attendance,” she said.
“Our music lineup was great this year as well. We received a lot of compliments about the musicians from both guests and vendors, so we’re looking forward to preparing the lineup for next season,” Sorrick said.
Two holiday markets will be coming up: The Thanksgiving Market will take place on Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon and Home for the Holidays is Dec. 14 from 4 to 8 p.m.
“We have expanded Home for the Holidays this year, so there will be more food, drinks, and even a few fire pits with S’mores for families to enjoy. It will be a great way to end the year!” she said.
Sorrick, who took over as manager in June, said she looks forward to planning for 2025 after having a successful introduction to the market.
“The vendors at our market really know what they’re doing, and I enjoyed getting to know them and their crafts in the few months I have been here,” she said.
Lantern Tour at Keppler Cemetery
Sponsored by the O’Fallon Historical Society, the Lantern Tour features stories of early O’Fallon area pioneers who are laid to rest in this old country church cemetery that dates back to 1846. Some of the performers are actual descendants or relatives.
It will take place on Thursday, Oct. 24, at 6:30 p.m., at Keppler Cemetery, 691 O’Fallon Troy Road, Lebanon, by lantern light. It lasts about an hour to 1.5 hours. Advance registration is required for safety reasons, with a limit of 40 people.
Keppler Cemetery is located a half mile east of 7 Hills Road, on the north side of the road. Parking is available on the wide shoulder of O’Fallon Troy Road. Wear comfortable shoes suitable for uneven ground and bring a flashlight or other small hand light. Volunteers will assist you in getting into the cemetery.
Cost is $10 per person, with proceeds supporting the St. Joseph Burial Association, the owner and caretaker of Keppler Cemetery, and the O’Fallon Historical Society. Questions? Email ofallonhistory@gmail.com.
Halloween Hunt Pub Crawl
Solve puzzles, riddles and find the hidden clues while barhopping with your friends and earn a chance to win The Halloween Hunt on Saturday, Oct. 26, in the Downtown District.
It starts at 5 p.m., and participating places include 1st Street Lounge, Boarding House Bistro, Gears, Mandy’s, Peel, Shooters, The American Legion, The Upright and VFW Post 805. Dress in your Halloween theme for a chance to win the team costume contest. Entry fee is $100 per team, up to 10 team members.
Rotary Club Halloween Parade and Trick-or-Treat
The Rotary Club of O’Fallon’s yearly tradition will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26.
The parade begins at the corner of State and Vine Streets and ends at the corner of East First and Vine Streets.
The parade lineup starts at noon, the parade begins at 12:30 p.m., and the costume awards are presented at 1:15 p.m. at O’Fallon Station.
After that, Trick-or-Treating at numerous downtown businesses after the parade and presentation of costume awards at O’Fallon Station will take place until 3 p.m.
Family Halloween Party
The Sgt Charles A Fricke VFW Post 805 in O’Fallon will host their annual Halloween Party from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31. The event includes food (while supplies last), games for all ages, hayrides to other businesses, and candy.
National Garden Club Central Region Conference
This three-day event Oct. 18-20 will be held at The Regency Conference Center, located at 400 Regency Park, O’Fallon, and it will bring visitors from across the Central Region’s seven states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin.
O’Fallon Garden Club President Sarah Lambaria will serve as the convention chairperson. She’s put together an outstanding line-up that includes speakers Dr. Elizabeth Wahle from the University of Illinois Extension speaking on invasive plants, Mary Vanderford, the CEO of Heartland Conservatory, and Carrie Bergs, Vice President of the American Rose Society.
Lynne Ehnert, the Central Region Director, and Brenda Moore, President of the National Garden Clubs, will be there too.
On the last day of the convention, visitors will tour the award-winning O’Fallon Garden Club State Street Community Garden to plant a native serviceberry tree and to see where the local produce is grown.
Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions related to the club’s outreach efforts as well as the garden’s six landscape beds, butterfly garden, herb garden, native plant garden, pollinator bed, gazebo, arbor, and the apiary, with its five beehives. Afterwards, guests can shop and enjoy the fabulous Vine Street Farmer’s Market in downtown O’Fallon.
“I am extremely proud to be a part of this community-minded group of volunteers,” Lambaria said. “So many talented hands have transformed this once empty lot into a beautiful garden that feeds and educates our community. Isn’t it amazing what a garden club can do?”
For more information about the O’Fallon Garden Club and its initiatives, please visit https://ofallongardenclub.com.