Autumn on Parade "Autumn In Wonderland" Saturday and Sunday October 1st and 2nd Autumn on Parade features a Farmer's Market, with homemade items from over 175 crafters/farmers and fine arts vendors, plenty of live entertainment, a variety of food, and the ever popular Harvest Time Parade held on Sunday afternoon.
Most of the activities and vendors will be found at the Ogle County Courthouse Square located at the corner of Illinois 64 and Illinois 2 in downtown Oregon. Harvest Time Parade - If you love a parade, you'll love ours. Marching bands, clowns, and plenty of other entertainment, all at 1 pm on Sunday.
Olde English Faire - Stronghold Castle hosts the Olde English Faire (including tours of the castle) throughout the weekend.
Food Court - Apple fritters, pork chops, lamb sandwiches . . . they all can be found at the Autumn on Parade Food Court. Booths are run by volunteers from local non-profit organizations.
Fun Zone - Rides for kids make this a special treat for youngsters.
Duck Dash - Spend $5 and see if your rubber duck can be the first to race down Franklin Street to win you a prize. On Sunday, immediately follwing the parade.
Auto Classic - Autos, trucks, and motorcycles are displayed at Oregon Park East. Saturday only.
Tractor Show - See antique tractors and learn about the days of early agriculture in Ogle County. Saturday only. +++++++++++++++ Annual Tour Of Solar Places Every year, the Illinois Renewable Energy Association is the local sponsor of the National Tour of Solar Places. The Oregon area has several opportunities to learn about solar energy and more. So, on your way to, or from, Oregon's Autumn on Parade, stop by one or more of the Tour of Solar Places sites.
Saturday, October 1, 2011, 10 am - 3 pm Location: North Central Illinois
What's it like to produce your own electricity from the sun and the wind? To live with an independent energy system? Do you need to change your lifestyle? Will the system change the appearance of your home or can it be blended into the design of your building? What does it cost? How much upkeep is needed?
Local Solar tour participants (from south to north)
� Victor and Polly Zaderej, 3588 S. Daysville Rd., Oregon (cell only): Super insulated "one-watt" house built on German Passivhaus principles; Solar PV; earth tube. � Bob and Sonia Vogl, 1230 E. Honey Creek Rd., Oregon, (732-7332): Hybrid grid connected photovoltaic and wind power system with battery backup; stand alone (Cabin type) photovoltaic installation. Solar greenhouse and hoop house. � Kickapoo Nature Center, 1919 N. Limekiln Rd., Oregon (cell only): Super insulated "one-watt" building built on German Passivhaus principles. Includes earth tube. Heating from roof monitored by Oak Ridge Lab. � David Merrill, 139 Perene, Byron, (234-2530): Hybrid photovoltaic and wind power system with battery backup. � Tom Snodgrass, 6618 W. Apple Rd., Mt. Morris, (734-4307) has an earth tube, an ingenious culvert which cools his large work shed in the summer and warms it in the winter so that he can work year-round without the need for a furnace or air conditioning. (about 7 miles out of Mt. Morris). Also movable solar heater for calf barn. � Keith and Mary Blackmore, 9024 West Grove Rd., Forreston, (938-3204): Ground mounted photovoltaic system, super-insulated house, greenhouse. � Freedom Field, run by Winnebago County. 3333S. Kishwaukee St., Rockford. Non-profit organization formed to facilitate the development and operation of renewable energy center. Integrated systems including solar heating and cooling, solar PV, vertical and horizontal wind generators, green prairie roof and training/experiment stations. � Lantow Lofts, 502 Seventh St., Rockford (964-8280): Complete renovation of century old building, solar thermal panels used to heat water for domestic use; the largest geothermal heating/cooling system in Winnebago County; many recycled materials used in construction. |