Exploration Station® Special Events

 

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
New this year, the Bourbonnais Township Park District and the Exploration Station are teaming up with Acting Out Theatre Company.  A new outdoor theatre company, Acting Out performed their first show “Into the Woods” at Perry Farm Park in July of 2011.  It was 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, a cider stop, a stage performance, 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 haunted woods 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 “Big River” which will be held on the banks of the Kankakee River the summer of 2012.  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.

A Night in Sleepy Hollow Cast 2011 ~

Campfire 1 Storytellers-Jeanne Benson & Jenny Schneider
Campfire 2 Storytellers- Marsha Collins & Dan Horton
Ichabod Crane- Cody Gindy
Katrina Van Tassel- Olivia Guastalli
Baltus Van Tassel - Bob Guastalli
Matilda Van Tassel - Paula Denault
Brom Bones - Tom Travis
Tom - Alex Hamilton
Peter- Corey Campbell
Agnes Closson- Sharla Ronchetto
Jacob Closson - Dan Taylor
Kristina Van Tassel - Bailey Testerman/Nora Coghlan
Nathanial- Nathan Pranger
Abraham - Karl Roth
Isabella- Gretchen Fischer
Emma- Kelly Roth
Isaac - 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 is child friendly.

Straw Maze
Started in 2008, the Sleepy Hollow event is now featuring a straw maze for children. The straw maze is located beneath a 50' pavilion 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 university students. Don't forget to check out this must see attraction! Storytellers will adapt stories for the ages of the participants present.

The Movie Tent
Families love the movie tent for it's free showing of popular halloween kids shows and the free pop corn. Seating is on old fashioned straw bales and movies last approx. 15 minutes for each show.
This attraction is child friendly.

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. This year the games will be located within the children's straw maze under the Perry Farm Pavilion.

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
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.

Kid Activities

Monster Egg Hunt - 6:00pm
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.

Kids Costume Contest - 6:30pm
Calling all kids ages 0-12 years! This is your chance to show off your Halloween costume before October 31st. Every Night of the Night in Sleepy Hollow Event we are featuring a kids costume contest at the Perry Farm Gazebo. Prizes are awarded to all participants and special prizes are awarded to the best costumes in each category. This attraction is child friendly.

Hay Rides - 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
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 - 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
An old favorite has returned.  Children can create their own sand art treasure by making their own “sand” using salt and chalk.

Jaycees Haunted Trail... Back From The Dead
They're back! New for 2011, the Kankakee Area Jaycees is putting on a Haunted Trail ride at the Perry Farm Park! Those who are brave enough to climb aboard the haunted hayrides will be subjected to unspeakable horrors and hair-raising thrills along the mile long trail. This event is separate from the Night In Sleepy Hollow event and is intended for teens and adults. Please be warned the haunted trails feature very scary situations and may be too intense for some people. A "less scarry" hayride intended for youth will be availalbe from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

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.

Event Tips

• Fridays are typically less busy than Saturdays so to avoid long lines consider checking out the event on one of the two Fridays.
• Remember to bundle up. The Night in Sleepy Hollow event runs late and the temperature can drop quickly from the time the event starts. Another good tip is to check out the hot apple cider or hot chocolate from the concession wagon.
• The event does take place at night so parents should be watchful of their children so they don't get lost or separated. If someone does get lost please contact the nearest Park District employee or the front gate to send a lost child alert (or lost adult alert).
• If you want to get you picture with the headless horseman at the photo booth, it is recommended to get you pictures early as the photo booth typically stops taking pictures 15 minutes prior to the event closing time.

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
You and your family are invited to celebrate the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012 with the Bourbonnais Township Park District. Start your evening with a reception and free play at the Exploration Station, ending the evening will be a spectacular fireworks display at the Perry Farm Park. Face painting, children's entertainers and appearances by Bamboo the museum's panda mascot will be some of the evenings highlights. Don't forget to enjoy the snacks and punch and the 8:50pm balloon drop! Tickets are available at the Exploration Station...a children's museum after November 24th.

Age(s): All Ages
Date(s): December 31, 2011
Time(s): 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Exploration Station…a children's museum
459 N. Kennedy Drive, Bourbonnais IL
Fee: Residents $5/ Non-Residents $7; Residents are individuals who live in the villages of Bradley, Bourbonnais or within the Township of Bourbonnais.
Museum Members are FREE!
Reception space is limited and guest must have a ticket to attend!
Max: 200 max

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Due to limited reception space, participants must purchase tickets at Exploration Station.

For more information on the New Years Eve Celebration, please contact the museum general manager Sarah Winkel at (815) 933-9905 or send an email. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm.

Remember to check out our FREE New Years Eve Fireworks at 9:00 p.m. at the Perry Farm Park on December 31!

Knight in the Museum
Here ye! Here Ye! Attention all adults! You are cordially invited to a special evening of music, heavy appetizers and merriment at Exploration Station. The 2012 date is Friday, April 13 and the times will be announced soon. Guests will be transported back to the Renaissance with period decor, wandering performers and live entertainment. Join us in our Royal Banquette Hall for this very special event to help support our children's museum. This event is for adults 21 and older only.
Click here to learn more!

Earth Day Awareness Fair
The Exploration Station is hosting its annual Earth Day Awareness Fair on Saturday, April 16.  The fair will include a variety of environmentally friendly activities and educational programs to help preserve and improve the quality of life for future generations.   Throughout the day the fair will include games, crafts, face painting, poster contest, origami planters, and hayrides around Perry Farm Park.  The event is also taking place on Kids can Read! Day where local children’s authors will be making special visits throughout the day doing story time and book signings. The Earth Day Awareness Fair is open to the public and all activities are included with general museum admission of $6.00 per person.  Please contact the Exploration Station...a children’s museum for more information at (815) 933-9905!
Ages:  All ages are welcome; activities are geared for ages 3 years & older; children must be accompanied by an adult.