Join a celebration of the horse and the fall season at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Fall Festival at Danada on Saturday, Oct. 11, and Sunday, Oct. 12, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Danada Equestrian Center at 3S507 Naperville Road in Wheaton.

Over the course of the two-day event, the main arena will feature trick riding, vaulting, carriage driving, drill teams, therapeutic-riding demonstrations, and breed demonstrations by performers including the Midwest Renegades, Chicago Vaulting, Stateline Hotshots Rodeo Drill Team, Stateline Spitfires Drill Team, St. James Pony Club, Arabian Liberty, and the Danada Equestrian Center Drill Team. A full performance schedule is available at dupageforest.org/fall-festival.

Horse fans can meet Captain, Danada’s painting horse, and watch him create artwork available for purchase in the gift shop. They can tour the historic barn that once housed Kentucky Derby winner Lucky Debonair and learn about horse care, grooming, and tack. There will be horse-drawn and tractor-drawn wagon rides through the autumn woods and a tent where kids can decorate paper hobbyhorses before riding them in the giddy-up corral.

The festival’s Kids Zone will have pony rides, a straw maze, and an entertainment stage, where the Grammy-nominated Wendy and DB Blues Duo and the Firefly Family Theatre will perform both days. On Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. families can meet WTTW’s Nature Cat, Backyard Explorer Extraordinaire, from the PBS Kids Program.

Food trucks will be provided by La Cocina de Maria, Five & Hoek Coffee Company, Kona Ice of Wheaton, Serna’s Grill, and Stix & Noodles. Visitors can purchase their fare and then relax in the picnic area.

Fall Festival at Danada takes place rain or shine. Admission and parking are free, but there are fees for some activities (cash and check preferred). For questions, call 630-668-6012.

“Fall Festival at Danada brings the community together to celebrate horses and the beauty of the season,” said Wayne Zaininger, the center’s manager. “We’re excited to showcase two full days of dynamic equestrian performances alongside family activities, music, and food that highlight the best of fall in DuPage.”

“Fall Festival at Danada has become a fall tradition for thousands of families,” said Forest Preserve District President Daniel Hebreard. “It’s a wonderful way to connect with horses, enjoy the season, and celebrate community in the preserves.”