Visitors Invited to Enjoy Outdoors and Horses at Family-Friendly Event
Horse lovers will delight in the horse-related outdoor events and activities at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s annual Danada Fall Festival on Sunday, Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Danada Equestrian Center at 3S507 Naperville Road in Wheaton.
Main-arena events will feature a parade of breeds, including many of Danada Equestrian Center’s resident horses, and the center’s volunteer musical horseback drill team. Midwest Renegades will entertain with vaulting and trick riding, and the Northern Illinois Outlaws will demonstrate cowboy mounted shooting. Additional guest horses and riders will showcase other riding styles and breeds throughout the day.
“For 33 years the Danada Equestrian Center has been welcoming visitors to this showcase of beautiful animals and the skilled performers who work with them,” said Wayne Zaininger, the center’s manager. “It remains the only free equestrian show of its kind in DuPage County.”
Visitors can also take horse-drawn and tractor-pulled hayrides through the autumn woods, tour the barn that once housed Kentucky Derby-winner Lucky Debonair, and learn about horse care, grooming and tack. Children can decorate paper hobbyhorses, take pony rides, and paint pumpkins or stop by the face-painting booth. And everyone’s invited to stop by the Danada House, former home of Dan and Ada Rice, for the Friends of Danada Nature Art and Photo Show, a juried competition featuring local artists, and a special display of memorabilia marking the 50th anniversary of Lucky Debonair’s Derby win.
“This event offers something for all generations to get outside, take in the scenery and realize the benefits of outdoor play and leisure in a forest preserve,” said Forest Preserve District Commissioner Tim Whelan, District 4.
The District’s largest event, the Danada Fall Festival draws more than 12,000 visitors each year and takes place rain or shine. Admission and parking are free. Food and drinks are available for purchase, and some activities have small fees (cash only). For more details, call Danada Equestrian Center at 630-668-6012 or visit dupageforest.org/danada_fall_fest/.
“Danada Fall Festival is a great tradition where families can retreat to a country setting and make lasting memories,” said Forest Preserve District of DuPage County President Joe Cantore.
Danada Fall Festival is part of the District’s yearlong centennial celebration, which is supported by Navistar and our other Centennial Partners.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has been connecting people to nature for 100 years. More than 4 million people visit its 60 forest preserves, 145 miles of trails, five education centers and scores of programs each year. For information, call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the District’s e-newsletter, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube pages.