United Fall Fest

DATE | September 11, 2021 | 3pm - 10pm

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LOCATION | Congregational United Church of Christ, 40W451 Fox Mill Blvd, St. Charles, IL

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COST | FREE!

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DETAILS | The 10th annual United Fall Fest is ON! This charitable fundraising event organized by the church and Fox Mill Community is for all ages! Come hungry and enjoy smoked beef brisket or pulled pork among other selections, as well as the beer and wine tent! New this year - late night brisket tacos! Listen to live music by Vintage Swing Band in the afternoon, followed by Serendipity Band while strolling the classic car show. Kids can enjoy inflatable slides, face painting, a hay ride, an ice cream eating contest, an outdoor movie and more! The evening will be capped off with the annual fireworks show - a favorite! All proceeds to benefit charities and admission is free.

SIP + STROLL

DATE | Saturday, September 11, 2021 | 2p - 6p (21+ event)

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LOCATION | Mt. St. Mary's Park, St. Charles, IL

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COST | $35

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DETAILS | Participating restaurants/businesses will be strategically placed throughout Mt. St. Mary Park to allow event participants to enjoy a leisurely stroll admiring the change of seasons in the outdoor arboretum, view unique artwork in the sculpture exhibit, sample delicious local ciders, wines and beers. All attendees are encouraged to spend the rest of their evening in downtown St. Charles. Participating businesses include 93 Octane Brewery, D&G, Billy Bricks, GIA MIA, Kimmer’s Ice Cream, La Mesa Modern Mexican, Pollyanna Brewing Company, Riverlands Brewing Company, The Graceful Ordinary, Boxed Water and The Wine Exchange.

jazz weekend

DATE | September 9 - 12, 2021

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LOCATION | VARIOUS LOCATIONS (click link below to see who will be playing where and when)

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COST | FREE!

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DETAILS | Presented by Sterling Bank, St. Charles Jazz Weekend is a four-day event that coordinates and promotes live jazz music in different St. Charles establishments. An array of St. Charles venues will take part in this year’s event featuring numerous jazz groups, including Chicago Jazz Vocalist Alyssa Allgood! Patrons can enjoy jazz music from lunch through the evening, with the opportunity to visit multiple venues, including the 1st Street Plaza on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Autumn Hayrides

DATE | Fridays and Saturdays, October 1 - 23, 2021 | Fridays: 5:30pm, 6:30pm or 7:30pm | Saturdays: 3:30pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm or 7:30pm

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LOCATION | Primrose Farm, 5N726 Crane Road

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COST | 1 person – $12 | 8-12 people – $140 | 13-20 people – $220

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DETAILS | Gather your GROUP of family and friends! Cruise around the fields at the height of the fall harvest on a 30-minute tractor-drawn wagon ride. Group tickets include all the fixings to make yummy s’mores over your own private fire. Individual tickets include a marshmallow roast over a shared fire. Everyone is welcome to visit all of the farm animals, too. Ages 15 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult. Advance registration required.

Escape the barn

DATE | October 15 - 16, 2021 | 4-5pm, 6-7pm or 8-9pm

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LOCATION | Primrose Farm, 5N726 Crane Road

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COST | $25/escapee

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DETAILS | Mysterious crimes are popping up at the farm! We need your help to find the culprit! Travel around the farm to find clues with your fellow detectives. It’s up to you and your teammates to solve the case, save the farm animals, and escape with your lives before it’s too late! Advance registration required. Ages 11+ Welcome

scarecrow FEST + Stroll

DATE | Friday - Sunday, October 8 - October 10, 2021

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LOCATION | Lincoln Park and Main Street Area

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COST | FREE

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DETAILS | The 36th annual Scarecrow Festival, presented by AAA, will be held October 8-10 in downtown St. Charles. Handmade scarecrows will be showcased around town for visitors to view, vote for their favorites, and visit our many local businesses. There will be a Family Zone with live entertainment and family activities, a festive photo op area, specials and promotions throughout town, and the Autumn on the Fox Craft Show in Pottawatomie Park. A new addition to the event this year is the Family Zone which will have live entertainment and family activities throughout the weekend.

Food truck & music festival

DATE | September 25, 2021 | 11:30am - 5pm

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LOCATION | Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave, St. Charles, IL

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COST | $30 per attendee

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DETAILS | Enjoy an afternoon of fun with friends at the 1st Annual Food Truck and Music Festival in Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles. Come early to enjoy all the music, food trucks, beer & wine vendors, and Celebrity bartender Joe Schuldts' signature drink. Proceeds from the event will benefit Random Acts Matter, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. 21+ event. Tickets for alcohol beverages MUST be purchased in advance on-line. No alcohol drink tickets will be sold in Pottawatomie Park, per Park District regulations.

Farm frolic

DATE | September 18, 2021 | 10am - 3pm

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LOCATION | Primrose Farm, 5N726 Crane Rd, St. Charles, IL

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COST | $10 for ages 2+, under 2 are free.

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DETAILS | Embrace autumn at the Farm’s most popular event of the year! Celebrate the season with old-fashioned farmyard fun! The following attractions are Included in the admission fee. Refreshments available for purchase. Straw Maze, Old-Fashioned Games, Petting Zoo, Pony Rides, Pumpkin Patch, Pumpkin Painting, Tractor-Drawn Wagon Rides, Vintage Tractor & Equipment Display, Modern “Big Truck” Display. Historic Demonstrations include: Blacksmithing, Rope Making, Corn Shelling , Candle Dipping, Laundering

barn dance

DATE | September 18, 2021 | 5:30pm - 9pm

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LOCATION | Primrose Farm, 5N726 Crane Rd, St. Charles, IL

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COST | $15 for ages 2+, under 2 are free.

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DETAILS | Usher in the harvest season with music, dancing, a bonfire and an amazing sunset. Ticket includes admission and a 30-minute beginner dance lesson. All Ages Welcome

moonlight masquerade

DATE | November 12 - 13, 2021 | 4 - 6pm or 6:30 - 8:30pm

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LOCATION | Pottawatomie Community Center, 8 North Ave, St. Charles, IL

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COST | $25 Resident, $38 Nonresident

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DETAILS | Let the good times roll! Enjoy a magical evening of entertainment, games, dancing, dessert and more! Dress to impress! Bring your favorite masks. Create and decorate new ones. One adult may accompany multiple children. Themes: Friday – Family Fun Night and Saturday – Date Night. All Ages Welcome

autumn fair

DATE | September 18, 2021 | 11am - 3pm

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LOCATION | Peck Farm Park, 4038 Kaneville Road, Geneva, Illinois

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COST | FREE!

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DETAILS | As always, the Event is free to attend. While here, families will enjoy crafts, games, hayrides, great music, and many more Fall activities. With the purchase of tickets, kids can enjoy pony rides, the petting zoo, pick out a pumpkin or two for the house, and get a bite to eat at the lunch tent.

FESTIVAL of the vine

DATE | September 10 - 12, 2021 | 4pm - 10pm Friday | 12pm - 10pm Saturday | 12pm - 4:30pm Sunday

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LOCATION | 3rd St., Geneva, IL

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COST | $1 per ticket (food, beer, and wine ticket prices vary)

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DETAILS | Geneva restaurants create an array of specialties under an outdoor tent at the “Flavor Fare” partnered with wine and live musical entertainment. An arts and crafts show, flower market, horse-drawn carriage rides and several exceptional wine tasting and dinner events also take place around the historic downtown.

mom & Son Wagon Rides

DATE | September 23 and 30, 2021 | 3:30pm - 8pm

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LOCATION | West Main Community And Bark Park, 40W101 Main St, Batavia, IL

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COST | $16 for mom + son pair, $8 for additional child

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DETAILS | Enjoy a special night with your mom at West Main Community Park. Wagon rides and dinner will be provided. Participate in pumpkin decorating and more! Campfire time will follow with s'mores for dessert. Wagon rides will begin from the parking lot. Please register early for this popular event. Please register under one son's name for the Mom & Son combo ($16). If you have an additional son to sign-up, please do so in the same transaction for $8 per child.

FALL DRIVE-in movie

DATE | Saturday, October 9, 2021 | 6:30pm - 9pm

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LOCATION | West Main Community And Bark Park, 40W101 Main St, Batavia, IL

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COST | $20 per car

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DETAILS | Batavia Park District is proud to announce an evening at the movies! Bring the kids, blankets, and pillows, and enjoy an evening under the stars watching great family movies together outdoors! The movie will begin at 7:00 pm, and cars can begin entering at 6:30 pm at West Main Community Park. Cost is $20 per car. Each vehicle will also need to bring a personal radio or download a radio app on their phone to listen to the movie.

Fall luminaria hike

DATE | Saturday, September 25, 2021 | 7:30pm - 8:30pm

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LOCATION | Red Oak Nature Center, 2343 S River St, Batavia, IL

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COST | $10

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DETAILS | Welcome Fall with this self-guided, illuminated hike through the woods. Sense the changing of the season through sights and sounds of nature at sunset, then end your visit with us around the campfire roasting a marshmallow or two! All children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

BATAVIA MOTHER'S CLUB FALL CRAFT + VENDOR SHOW

DATE | October 23, 2021 | 9am - 3pm

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LOCATION | Batavia High School, 1201 Main St., Batavia, IL

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COST | $5 (bring in a new toy to donate for a $1 discount!). Kids 12 and under are free.

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DETAILS | The Batavia Mothers' Club Foundation Craft and Vendor Show spotlights a jury chosen selection of arts and crafts designed and created by local artists. The show will include our ever-popular bake sale (with AMAZING cakes, pies, award-winning brownies, gluten free, grain free and a variety of other treats).

oktoberfest

DATE |   (CANCELLED FOR 2021) 

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LOCATION | 

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COST | 

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DETAILS | 

Art Harvest

DATE |  CANCELLED THIS YEAR DUE TO COVID 

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LOCATION | DuPage Court in Downtown Elgin, Illinois

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COST | FREE!

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DETAILS |  This free family-friendly event is a celebration of the arts and the season, and has several family-friendly components including a hay maze, decorate your own pumpkin, face painting, up close magician, arts and crafts stations, and more, all of which can be found at “Art Central” a.k.a. DuPage Court. Grab your Art Hunt map and head out to find the public art in downtown Elgin. Be sure to wear a costume while you are out and about on your hunt, as several of the downtown businesses will be open for trick-or-treating. All of the events of the day are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. 

pumpkin fest at cosley zoo

DATE | October 1 - 31, 2021 | 9am - 5pm

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LOCATION | Cosley Zoo, 1356 N Gary Ave, Wheaton, IL​

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COST | $7 - $8, children under 18 are free!

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DETAILS | Taking in the beautiful fall colors at Cosley Zoo is a must do! Come see the animals and take in the thousands of pumpkins scattered on the zoo’s lawn. Children’s rides are also available for an additional fee. Apples, gourds, pumpkins, cider, cornstalks, and various sizes of straw bales are available to purchase. Check out the fall merchandise in the Wild Side Gift Shop, too! Proceeds from your purchases benefit Cosley Zoo. Regular admission rates apply. Admission to Pumpkin Fest is included with your general admission entry ticket. Regular admission rates apply.

cantigny fall festival

DATE | October 9, 2021 | 10am - 4pm

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LOCATION | Cantigny Park, 1 S 151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, IL​

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COST | Free with paid parking ($5). Small fees may apply to certain activities.

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DETAILS | Our first Fall Festival since 2019 promises colorful autumn fun for all ages! We have a full day planned with these attractions and more:

Giant juggling scarecrow (10 to 11:30 am) | Live music by Second Hand Soul Band (12 to 4 pm) | Comedy Juggling Show (12 pm and 2 pm) | Craft Show Pumpkin decorating and craft for kids Interactive strolling entertainment | Usborne Children’s Book Fair inside the Visitors Center | Petting Zoo Scarecrows in the gardens (find them all!) | Hay Rides Great Big Bubble Making (after first juggling show) | Inflatables (multiple!) | Plant Sale | Food Trucks | Special autumn-theme merchandise in the Cantigny Shop

art harvest elgin

DATE | Saturday, October 30, 2021 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

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LOCATION | On State Street​

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COST | FREE!

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DETAILS | Join the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission and Downtown Elgin businesses for the sixth annual Art Harvest to be held in downtown Elgin. This free family-friendly event is a celebration of the arts and the season. This event has several family-friendly components including a hay maze, decorate your own pumpkin, face painting, up close magician, arts and crafts stations, and more, all of which can be found at “Art Central” a.k.a. DuPage Court.

Kuiper's sunflower fest

DATE | August 28 - September 19, 2021 | 9am - 6pm

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LOCATION | Kuipers Family Farm, 1N318 Watson Rd, Maple Park, IL​

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COST | $14.99, includes 1 bloom

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DETAILS | Kuipers Family Farm believes in connecting people with agriculture and each other. With thousands coming to enjoy our corn maze, pumpkins, and apples each year we decided to bring another beautiful ag product to our guests: fresh cut sunflowers and some fantastic photo opportunities! Guest will be able to enjoy over 7 acres of 20+ different sunflower varieties in the fields. Come stroll through the flowers, take photos and enjoy the beautiful scenery of a late-summer farm day! Many adorable photo ops will be available so you can capture the perfect selfie or family photo. The experience goes ‘full bloom’ on weekends with live music and delicious farm-fresh food options on the scenic orchard lawn.

fall fest at randall oaks zoo

DATE | September 25 - October 29, 2021 | 9am - 5pm

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LOCATION | Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 S Randall Rd, West Dundee, IL​

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COST | $4 Resident, $4.75 Nonresident

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DETAILS | Come and celebrate the change in seasons at Randall Oaks Zoo's annual Fall Festival from September 25-October 29! The zoo will be decorated for fall with special fall activities for visitors to enjoy. Pumpkins will be available for purchase during your visit.

WEEKEND ACTIVITIES | Bonfire 12:00-5:00 pm | Animal Shows at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm | Free Crafts for Kids | Hayrides $3 per person (ages one and under are free)

naper settlement oktoberfest

DATE | October 1, 5pm - 10pm | October 2, 12pm - 10pm

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LOCATION | Naper Settlement, 523 S Webster St, Naperville, IL​

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COST | Adult: $15, Youth (4-12): $10

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DETAILS | Oktoberfest returns to Naper Settlement! Celebrate fall inside the event's signature beer tent with live music, traditional German cuisine, live polka bands, rock music at night, themed contests, and a selection of local and traditional Oktoberfest beer varieties. During the day on Saturday, an expanded children's area will have activities for the whole family!

harvest at the acorn moon festival

DATE | September 26, 2021 | 12pm - 3pm

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LOCATION | Oakhurst Forest Preserve, 1680 Fifth Ave., Aurora, IL​

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COST | FREE!

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DETAILS | Celebrate autumn's arrival with the Forest Preserve District! At this popular, family-friendly festival, we'll have pumpkin painting, mule-drawn hayrides, games, guided hikes, nature crafts, folk music, and refreshments. Admission is free. Nominal fee for crafts and refreshments. No registration required. ALL AGES

pumpkin weekends at blackberry farm

DATE | Saturdays, Sundays + Columbus Day, October 2 - 31, 2021 | 11am - 4pm

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LOCATION | Blackberry Farm, 100 S Barnes Rd, Aurora, IL​

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COST | $8, infants under 1 are free

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DETAILS | Enjoy family-friendly fall festivities at Blackberry Farm! Weekends in October, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Admission includes all rides and attractions, and pumpkins can be purchased additionally for $3 upon arrival. Check blackberryfarm.info and Blackberry Farm on Facebook for a detailed schedule of events. All ticket sales are final.

north aurora days fall fest

DATE | September 18, 2021 | 11am - 10pm

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LOCATION | North Aurora Riverfront Park, North Aurora, IL​

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COST | TBA

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DETAILS | Due to logistical planning with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, a full scale North Aurora Days was not feasible for 2021. However, we are excited to announce we will be hosting a one-day fall festival event on Saturday, September 18, 2021 from 11am – 10pm at North Aurora Riverfront Park. Full schedule of events is to be announced!

cider + ale fest

DATE | October 23, 2021 | 12pm - 4pm

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LOCATION | Morton Arboretum Visitor Center, 4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL​

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COST | TBA

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DETAILS | Savor hard cider and seasonal beers from over 30 local breweries and cideries. Breathe in the fresh autumn air and stroll among the trees while you sip. Tasting booths will be safely spread out along the Meadow Lake, Frost Hill, and Conifer walking paths. Ticket purchase includes twenty 3-ounce beer samples and a reusable, souvenir glass. Ticket purchasers must be 21 or older and present a valid I.D. at check-in. All Beer Tasting tickets include admission into the Arboretum on Saturday, October 23.