Things to Do in Oak Park

Throughout the year, the 91-acre Charles L. Bowers School Farm educates students of all ages about science, agriculture, and livestock. But as the season's change, so does the farm's lineup of family-friendly outdoor activities, welcoming guests of all ages for autumnal activities including corn mazes, pumpkin picking, and wagon rides. Like the 1958 Plymouth Fury, the farm's corn mazes come in both haunted and unhaunted varieties, challenging explorers of all ages with 2.5 miles of twisting, turning paths. Should they find their way out, guests can reacclimate to life on the outside by striking up conversation with the resident rabbits, sheep, and llamas. From there, they explore the pumpkin patch for a perfect pie or jack-o'-lantern candidate or ride one of the farm's ponies, which turn into pumpkins at midnight.

Evolution Sportsplex’s dome structure houses 60,000 square feet of artificial turf, which doubles as an athletics field and an indoor driving range. There, as well as outdoors, a golfer can improve their swing, thereby eliminating the need for the pneumatic hammer taped to the end of their club. Visitors can also putt their way through a manicured miniature-golf course peppered with shady trees and refuel at the concession stand before hitting the indoor field, which can be converted for sports ranging from football to softball.

The fourth-annual Passion for Fashion show cultivates a wintry celebration of elegance and holiday goodwill. Models strut down the catwalk robed in the latest flowing fashions from top local designers, stepping in time to the energizing dance music that DJs sprinkle into the air. As guests remark on the beauty of the designs, the vision of the hairstylists, and the unerring ability of each model to turn before walking off the edge of the runway, guests nibble on hors d'oeuvres and sip cocktails from a cash bar. Portions of the evening's proceeds go to benefit the Adopt-A-Refugee Family Program, which works to empower and assist families displaced by conflict.

Since 1950, the neon lights outside the Waterford Rolladium have beckoned skaters to the brightly colored rink. Inside, DJs spin top-40 hits and oldies from a towering DJ booth as guests circle the boards beneath a shimmering disco ball. The snack bar refuels patrons, and a game room gives respite from figure eights or shooting the moon by attempting to throw a skate at it. To hone eight-wheeled maneuvers, professional instructors lead lessons and classes, teaching beginners as well as those interested in competing in figure or speed skating.

Scrapbook Emporium serves as a home base for scrapbooking hobbyists, supplying raw materials and regularly hosting classes and get-togethers. In front, shelves are stuffed with materials including vibrant papers, page kits, and Cricut accouterments, including a large savings section and resale area for bargain finds. A schedule of scrapbooking classes molds nascent scrapbookers into masters, while crop nights allow hobbyists to socialize as they add new pages to albums. Scrapbook leagues facilitate nights of friendly competition as team members race through assembly, earning points for completed pages or number of memories given physical form.