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. 12, and Sunday, Oct. 13, 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 outdoor arena will feature trick riding, vaulting, carriage driving, drill teams, and therapeutic riding demonstrations by various performers, including the Midwest Renegades, Chicago Vaulting, Stateline Hotshots Rodeo Drill Team, Stateline Spitfires Drill Team, and Danada’s own drill team. A full performance schedule is available at dupageforest.org/fall-festival.

Visitors can meet Captain, Danada’s newest painting horse, and buy his artwork in the gift shop; tour the barn that once housed Kentucky Derby winner Lucky Debonair; and learn about horse care, grooming, and tack. They can also take horse-drawn and tractor-drawn wagon rides through the autumn woods.

Fall Festival at Danada takes place rain or shine. Admission and parking are free, but there are fees for some activities (cash and check only).

“Fall Festival at Danada is one of the few free equestrian shows of its kind in DuPage County,” said Wayne Zaininger, the center’s manager. “This year, we’re thrilled to showcase not only two full days of exciting equestrian performances but also a robust lineup of entertainment for kids.”

Children can decorate their own paper hobbyhorses and then gallop around a special corral and in the main arena, ride a pony, and wind their way through a straw maze. On Saturday from noon until 4 p.m. they can also meet Daisy from the popular PBS children's show “Nature Cat,” airing on WTTW.

At the entertainment stage, Chicago’s own Grammy-nominated Wendy and DB will be on hand both days to perform original blues music from their second kids album, “Back Home.” Firefly Family Theatre will be there both days as well, sparking young imaginations during their “Harvest Moon” interactive storytelling show, which features original fall-themed music, puppets, and movement.

Visitors can stop by the Forest Preserve District’s ranger adventure trailer to explore animal and plant artifacts up close, meet the Forest Preserve District’s social media star cicadas, chat with Forest Preserve District police, and learn about upcoming Forest Preserve District projects by speaking with representatives from various departments. On Saturday, the DuPage Children’s Museum will be a featured exhibitor.

Forest Preserve District President Dan Hebreard expressed his enthusiasm for the annual event. “The Fall Festival at Danada offers families a wonderful chance to enjoy thrilling equestrian performances amid the beauty of the fall season. We’re excited to bring this free event back to the community and can’t wait to share the charm of Danada with everyone,” he said.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase by local vendors, including Stix & Noodles, Serna’s Grill, La Cochina de Maria, and Kona Ice.