County conservation hosts Off the Beaten Path Trail Race, Fall Festival

Join Jasper County Conservation for the 15th annual Off the Beaten Path Trail Race and Fourth annual Fall Festival, two events now combined into one big family event.

The trail race registration begins at 8 a.m. Saturday. The 6K race will kick off at 9 a.m. with the 3K fun run to follow at 9:15 a.m. The Fall Festival will begin at the conclusion of the race from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Both events will be at Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve, 15148 Jacob Ave., Grinnell. Krumm Preserve is located by driving north off of Exit 179 (Lynnville exit) from Interstate 80. The preserve entrance is reached by going another mile east on the gravel road, Jacob Avenue.

Registration information for the trail race can be found at jaspercountyconservation.com. All registered runners and walkers receive a long-sleeve T-shirt, free entry to the Fall Festival, and an all-you-can-eat pancake brunch.

The Fall Festival will have all-you-can-eat pancakes, fresh pressed apple cider, wagon rides through the prairie, a Storywalk through the prairie with Newton Library, archery range and tours of the new Sugar Shack, where maple sap is boiled down to syrup. Cost of the Fall Festival is $10 for adult, $5 for children with kids 3 and under free. Admission includes the pancake brunch.

The proceeds from this event will benefit Jasper County Conservation’s programs and projects in local parks.