Exploration Station® Special Events

Earth Day Celebration!
Become a Globe Guardian! Here is your chance to enjoy the wonderful outdoors and become an ambassador for the Earth. Exploration Station is partnering with Earth Stewards and Master Gardner’s to encourage everyone to Go Green! Explore the ponds on the beautiful Perry Farm Park, go on a guided nature scavenger hunt, learn about the unique properties of Bamboo, and help create a colorful flower garden behind the children’s museum. Other activities will include the Panda Bounce House, live turtle races, games and crafts. 

Age(s): 3 years & older (children must be accompanied by an adult)
Date(s): Saturday, April 20, 2013 (Rain Date – April 21)
Time(s): 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Perry Farm Park
459 N. Kennedy Drive, Bourbonnais IL
Fee: $2 per person

Art in the Park
A traditional fine arts festival with a twist! ~ The adults shop for unique, hand-crafted fine arts & crafts while the children create art projects instructed by professional artists! Located just outside the Exploration Station on beautiful & historic Perry Farm Park. Artist! There will be food vendors, so plan to spend the afternoon with us! Proceeds from this festival will go to benefit Exploration Station…a children’s museum

Age(s): All Ages
Date(s): Saturday, June 8, 2013
Time(s): 11:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Perry Farm Park
459 N. Kennedy Drive, Bourbonnais IL
Fee: Free to attend! Children's Art Projects will be a small extra fee

Call to Artists
We are currently accepting applications from Fine Arts & Crafts Artists & Artisans! Our registration has been extended through April 19th! For detailed information on Art in the Park, please view (and download, if you'd like) the Artist Information Sheets. Also click to view and download the Artist Application Form (please share with any of your artistic friends who might be interested in applying!
Click for Registraion information

 

A Night In Sleepy Hollow

Only you can discover the answer. We dare you to venture out into the dark of night into the Perry Farm Park woods and listen for the thundering hoof beats of the Horseman's stallion. The legend will be told! Witnesses will come forth! You just may see it for yourself!

For More Infomation on Activities at Sleepy Hollow, Click the Links Below

The Re-Enactment

The Re-Enactment - Performed by Acting Out Theater Company
Again this year, the Bourbonnais Township Park District and the Exploration Station are teaming up with Acting Out Theatre Company.  Our local outdoor theatre company, Acting Out performed their first show “Into the Woods” at Perry Farm Park in July of 2011, and recently finished thier second show "Big River" summer of 2012.  They were a huge success and we are so excited they will be showcasing their skills and expertise for our Sleepy Hollow visitors.

This year the Re-enactment will be bigger and better than ever with everything from lights to sound enhancing the re-enactment experience. Visitors will hear the story of Ichabod Crane and the Legend of Sleepy Hollow how Washington Irving had envisioned it through campfire visits, you'll join the party in one of our 1840's barns, and even a ride through the hollow itself.  Be prepared to duck as you follow Icahbod down Old Church Road, where you just may encounter the headless horseman yourself!

Because of the intense nature of the Hollow we do not recommend it for young children and those with medical conditions that may be sensitive to stressful situations.

Not only is the Acting Out Theatre Company preparing for Sleepy Hollow, but they are also gearing up for their next big production “CHICAGO” which will be held on the streets of the Momence the summer of 2013.  For more information on Acting Out Theatre Company, please visit www.actingouttheatreco.org

The re-enactment could not be accomplished without use of this nationally registered historical 170 acre property and also help from our friends in Thee Olde Time Farm Show.

A Night in Sleepy Hollow Cast 2012 ~

Campfire 1 Storytellers-Jeanne Benson & Rosanne Patton
Campfire 2 Storytellers- Tina Pourroy & Dan Horton
Ichabod Crane- Kyle Ronchettto
Katrina Van Tassel- Hannah Tumblin
Baltus Van Tassel - Bob Guastalli
Matilda Van Tassel - Paula Denault
Brom Bones -Michael Keigher
Tom - Eddie Juarez
Peter- Cory Campbell
Agnes Closson- Shannon Woodruff
Jacob Closson - David Sacks
Rose Closson - Kayelyn Woodruff
Kristina Van Tassel - Britton Fischer
Nathanial- Nathan Pranger
Abraham - Ryan Woodruff
Isabella- Gretchen Fischer
Emma- Baily Testerman 1st weekend
Emma - Kayla Ronchetto 2nd weekend
Jack - Jonah Pettet
Samantha - Kyle Ronchetto

Sleepy Hollow Village

Spooky Glow Golf
Test your skills at this new 9 hole golf attraction that has been getting "glowing" reviews. Located beneath a enclosed tent this glow golf course is completely lit up by black lights. Each hole features spooky decorations and eerie characters.
This attraction can contain suprises and actors in costume. May not be appropriate for small children.

Straw Maze
Started in 2008, the Sleepy Hollow event is now featuring a straw maze for children. The straw maze is located beneath a 20'x40' tent and features winding pathways through hay bales and a few spooky surprises. The activities and games are now located within the maze of straw so there are even more activities to do within the maze!
This attraction is child friendly.

Campfire Stories
Each night of Sleepy Hollow features a storyteller who spins yarns around a campfire. Stories range from very spooky to down right gross and are told by local volunteers. Don't forget to check out this must see attraction! Storytellers will adapt stories for the ages of the participants present.

The Movie
Families love the movie pavilion for it's free showing of popular halloween kids show. Seating is on picnic tables and movies last approx. 15 minutes for each show. Popcorn will be available at our concession stand for a small fee.
This attraction is child friendly.

Halloween Bingo
New this year we have added Halloween Bingo. Try your skills and a creepy BINGO Game!
This attraction is child friendly.

Witches Lair
We have brought the old Mad Lab favorite back but with a new twist. Visitors will be grossed out as they explore in the witches lair filled with magical attractions and ghoulish experiments.

Games
The Sleepy Hollow event offers kids games and activities at no charge. Game usually include a Potty Toss, Tic Tac Toe (like with the kind on your feet!), and other ghoulish games with assorted prizes that range from fake vampire fangs to glow-in-the-dark snakes. New games are added or created each year so children can experience new activities every year they visit Sleepy Hollow. Again this year the games will be located within the children's straw maze under the Maze tent.

The Gift Shop
Stop by our gift shop for a Sleepy Hollow souvenir. The gift shop features gross novelty toys, light-up necklaces, slime, stuffed toys, and disposable cameras. The gift shop is located next to the Headless Horseman Photo Booth so you can't miss it. All gift shop proceeds directly benefit the new exhibit fund at the Exploration Station...a children's museum!

The Horseman Photo Booth (Additional Fee)
This recently added addition to the event is where your family can get up close with a real headless horseman. Photos are an additional charge of $5.00 per photo and include a protective cover. Don't forget to stop and get your souvenir photo early because the booth does stop taking photos 15 minutes before the end of the event. If you want to pick up your photo at a later date, they are available at the Exploration Station...a children's museum front desk.

Monster Egg Hunt - TBA
The Monster Egg hunt was an idea borrowed from an old event that was held during the day called A Day in Sleepy Hollow. Instead of running two separate events, we combined the best of both events and made the Night in Sleepy Hollow open earlier to accommodate more kid friendly activities. The monster egg hunt is similar to an Easter Egg hunt except the eggs are orange and black and the goodies inside the eggs are Halloween themed. The eggs are said to be laid by goofy monsters that hide them is areas of the Perry Farm Park for children to find. The monster egg hunt starts right at 6:00 pm so make sure to arrive early and don't forget a bag to help collect and carry your eggs. The hunt will begin at a starting line and egg hunting is kept in designated areas only. This attraction is child friendly.

Hay Rides/Barrel Train
The hay rides have always been a part of the Sleepy Hollow event. Originally the story of Sleepy Hollow was told as a re-enactment from the hay rides. As the event grew and more people wanted to see the re-enactment, the hay rides were changed to the walking re-enactment to accommodate the increase in participation. Now the hay rides are a separate attraction that wind around on the trails of the Perry Farm Park in the cover of darkness. The Horseman no longer haunts the hayride but see what other creatures you can find out in the woods at night!
This attraction is child friendly.

Sand Art
An old favorite has returned.  Children can create their own sand art treasure by making their own “sand” using salt and chalk.

History of Event
Once upon a time there was a Children's Museum located in the quaint little town of Bourbonnais, Illinois. This museum, a part of the Bourbonnais Township Park District, was a favorite place for children and families to visit. The Children's Museum, called Exploration Station...a children's museum, struggled to provide enough money to update and repair its exhibits. The museum's director decided to host a special event to raise funds to benefit the children museum's exhibit fund. This was to be no regular event.  Museum staff wanted it to be a great family event that was fun, recreational and educational. It, also, had to fit into the museum's mission to create a magical place where children can ignite their imagination. 

In 1991, through the creativity of the museum director and staff, the Night in Sleepy Hollow event was developed. The event was held outdoors on the Park District's Perry Farm Park. Over 200 visitors attended A Night in Sleepy Hollow during its first year. The Sleepy Hollow event was so well attended that the Exploration Station staff decided to hold it every year in October around Halloween. 

A Night in Sleepy Hollow has evolved into the Bourbonnais Township Park District's most popular event. The event is still connected to its roots as fundraiser used to support the children's museum.
The event has added several new attractions and is visited by 4,000 people annually. For locals, A Night in Sleepy Hollow is an annual family outing in October. Some patrons, who had attended the event when they were teenagers, are now old enough to bring their own families.  

This event also gives older children and teens in the community something to do when they are too old to trick or treat and too young to see most Halloween movies or haunted houses.

An unexpected and welcomed result of the event is the response from local teachers and school children.  By bringing Washington Irving's story to life, the event attracts local teachers who use the event to promote reading. Teachers often incorporate the event into their curriculum and give extra credit to students who help volunteer at the event. The re-enactment portion of the event can spark a child's love of literature by seeing the pages they have read come to life.

Our Night in Sleepy Hollow special event truly does create a magical place for children to ignite their imagination. This story re-enactment is like a fable for a child. Families bond together as they laugh and scream throughout this event. The learning experience and family bonding that is formed is invaluable. The knowledge and sparks for learning literature and  history will stay with them throughout their school years.

Volunteer

We Love Our Volunteers!
Volunteers for the event are recruited from local schools, community organizations and the local chamber of commerce.

Each night 20-50 volunteers run activities including hay rides, games, horseman helpers, gate helpers, glow golf supervisors and movie tent attendants. Volunteers also assist each night in set-up and clean-up. Volunteers make this event possible and the Park District and Exploration Station...a children's museum extends their gratitude to all those who have helped!

New Years Eve Celebration...
are TBA for 2013. Thank you to all of our participants over the years!!!!