By JoAnn Moran
Hayrides, pumpkin picking, apple cider making, crafting were only part of the attractions at this year’s Fall Family Festival at Indian Rock Nature Preserve this past weekend.
There was also the preserve’s 280 acres of animal barns, lake, trails and Native American wigwams to explore.
“I saw the festival sign on our way to the park and I decided to change plans,” said Peter Cherepanov, who brought his three young children, Lily, Sofia and Hannah for the first time.
The family-friendly event emphasized fun hands-on learning experiences, encouraging visitors to bond with nature and appreciate the outdoors.
Families piled on to the festival’s hayride, a 20-minute ride sitting on hay bales to have an open air 360-degree vista of the forest and lake during prime fall leaves season.
As the tractor ride comes to its first stop at the two wigwams nestled in the woods, everyone piles out into the colored leaf forest to explore.
Kids have free range to explore the nature preserve’s wigwam and engage in arts and crafts. | JoAnn Moran
Isabella Daley helped children make corn husk dolls in front of one of the Nature Preserve’s wigwams. It was her first-year volunteering for the festival. Friends Marjolein Ross and Kathy Westmoreland, from Canton, are in their 20th year as member volunteers.
“I love this place. It’s a great environment for kids to learn about nature” Ross said.
Westmoreland wore Native American regalia she made from buckskin and accessorized with porcupine quill jewelry she purchased on a trip to the Grand Tetons in Wyoming.
“I dress to honor the Native Americans and to help people understand their culture,” she said.
The friends instructed and interacted with attendees, alternating between the wigwam and their demo table of Indian artifacts, baskets, jewelry and musical instruments.
Benito Alendez and daughter Adelynn from Bristol, upper left, inside one of the two wigwams on site at Indian Rock Nature Preserve, along with attendees who make the most of the day. | JoAnn Moran
A little farther down the path from the wigwams is the Pebble House, a stone building where Jeff Hatch conducted an introduction of his Raven Wilderness School where he teaches traditional bushcraft and survival skills.
“I am exhibiting primitive tools, friction fire tools and animal hides,” said Hatch as the Nolin family took interest in the animal hides and tried to guess the animal.
Children proudly donned their Wilderness School badges as they continued down the path to meet back up with the hayride back to the main festivities.
After much exploring and learning, many children gravitated to face painting, and the big leaf pile and lawn games set amidst the barn animals.
Garden paths trimmed by a sprinkling of themed craft vendors added to the ambience on the beautiful fall day.
Fall Family Festival at the Indian Rock Nature Preserve is an annual celebration of fall traditions and a learning opportunity about the region’s history and indigenous heritage.
For more information about the Indian Rock Nature Preserve see festival advance story by clicking here and visiting their website www.elcct.org.
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