Jasper County Conservation Fall Fest back for second year

Many activities, including the return of the chili cook-off, are planned for the second annual Jasper County Conservation Fall Festival.

Starting at 11 a.m. and running until 2 p.m. Saturday at Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve, the fall festival features, games, music, food and fun hikes to celebrate crisp, fall weather.

“We’re going to have wagon rides around part of the trail loop,” Jasper County Naturalist Katie Cantu said. “Also on the trail will be a scavenger hunt. Families will get a map and there will be pumpkins hidden out there with little things at each pumpkin.”

A highlight of the event is the chili cook-off. Contestants will bring their best recipe to be judged by the crowds.

Samples will be given from each pot, which will be numbered for identification. People will then be able to vote for their favorite with prizes, such as a cast iron Dutch oven, Moo’s BBQ gift cards and movie passes at Capitol II Theatre.

Fall fest will also feature face painter Sommer Kibbee from Art Junkie, a maze mowed into the prairie and archery games unique to the event.

“The archery side will have a couple of big targets with pictures of zombies on them for the Zombie Archery Shoot,” Cantu said. “The pumpkin hunt is where we have atlatls that Native Americans would have used as spear throwers. Naturalist Greg Oldsen has made some darts or spears so people will be throwing the darts using the atlatls into pumpkins.”

There is a $5 entry fee for the event with families paying $20. Kids 6 and under are free. Those participating are asked to dress for hiking as activities will bring people around the preserve.

“There will be something for everybody,” Cantu said.

For more information about participating in the chili cook-off visit the Jasper County Conservation website at www.jaspercountyconservation.com.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com