The Week: Johnny Appleseed Festival, Crystal Lake House Walk, Historical Bike Tour

Happy 99th Birthday Crystal Lake!

Today, Sept. 23, 2013 marks the city of Crystal Lake's 99th year since incorporating. 

The week ahead includes plenty to see and do - particularly for families. 

On Friday, the Service League of Crystal Lake is hosting its 39th Annual Housewalk. Gather a few friends, have fun touring four beautiful area homes, and help many people in the community at the same time.

And, with the arrival of the Fall season comes the annual Johnny Appleseed Festival in downtown Crystal Lake. The festival is a fun, autumn-inspired event complete with petting zoo, pie-eating contest and scarecrow decorating program. 
Be sure to take a break from weekend schedule, and head downtown to enjoy the many activities presented by Downtown Crystal Lake. 

Sunday offers another opportunity for touring scenic sites in the city- this time by bike! If you like bicycling and enjoy learning about the city's history, be sure to pedal out to the local event that starts at the historic Col. Palmer House in Crystal Lake. 


Have a great week! - Stephanie Price, editor



39th Annual House Walk, Hosted by Service League of Crystal Lake
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 27
Take a "Walk Through History" by touring four "exquisite," privately owned homes throughout Crystal Lake, Lakewood, and Prairie Grove.

The house walk is a fundraiser that serves the community. The Service League gives back 100% of it's profit to the community of Crystal Lake.  Visit its website at www.slcrystallake.org for more information, or to purchase tickets.


Johnny Appleseed Festival 
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
Downtown Crystal Lake
Dubbed as "Bushels of Fun for Everyone," the annual Johnny Appleseed Festival offers affordable, family-oriented fun in downtown Crystal Lake. Many activities are planned including:

• Antique apple cider press demonstrations
• Storytelling
• Live music
• Craft fair
• Farmer's Market
• Pie-eating contest
• Scarecrow decorating
• Children's rides, petting zoo, games
• Appearance by Johnny Appleseed himself.
• Great Ball race is at 3 p.m.

Free admission to festival; fees apply for some rides and games.   


Architectural Bike Tour of Crystal Lake
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29
Pedal through the past with the Crystal Lake Park District Colonel Palmer House staff from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, for a bike tour of downtown Crystal Lake. 

Participants will departs from the grounds of historic Colonel Palmer House, 660 Route 176, in Crystal Lake. Register online at www.crystallakeparks.org. Program Fee: $38, Resident Discount Fee: $28. Fee includes lunch in historic downtown Crystal Lake.