The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Danada Equestrian Center in Wheaton will host its annual Danada Fall Festival on Sunday, Oct. 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Main-arena events will feature many of Danada Equestrian Center’s resident horses and the Danada volunteer musical horseback drill team. Numerous guest horses and riders will showcase various styles of riding and breeds of horses.
Visitors can take a hayride through the autumn woods, watch as a farrier makes horseshoes, tour the Kentucky-style barn that once housed Kentucky Derby winner Lucky Debonair, and learn about horse care, grooming and tack. They can also visit the Danada House, the former home of Dan and Ada Rice, and view winners of the Friends of Danada Nature Art and Photo Show, a juried competition featuring local artists. Children can decorate paper hobbyhorses for a romp in the main arena, play in the straw pen, paint pumpkins, climb up a tall oak tree, or stop by the face-painting booth.
The Danada Fall Festival is the District’s largest special event, drawing more than 12,000 visitors each year. Admission and parking are free. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and some activities have small fees. Danada Equestrian Center is located at 3S507 Naperville Road between Route 56 (Butterfield Road) and Interstate 88. For more details, call the center at 630-668-6012.
For information on the Forest Preserve District, call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org.
