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Forest Preserves of Cook County - Party for the Preserves
The Forest Preserves of Cook County invites residents to celebrate the outdoors your way during the annual Party for the Preserves on Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28 with salsa dancing, a New Orleans brass band, day and night hikes, paddling giant canoes and more.
"Party for the Preserves is how we mark National Public Lands Day, when the nation recognizes parks and public lands,” said Forest Preserves of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “And we’re grateful to the people who visit our public lands and care for them. This year we’re celebrating with dance, music, hiking and canoeing to reflect the many ways people enjoy the Forest Preserves."
Among other events, the weekend features salsa dancing to live music by Latin Swing Factor at Thatcher Woods, fishing, hiking, and Windy City Ramblers Brass Band at Camp Bullfrog Lake, plus paddling in 10-person canoes at Powderhorn Lake. Nine big events—all free and open to all—will be held as part of this year’s Party for the Preserves:
Trash Bash
Bunker Hill in Niles on Saturday, Sept 27 at 9 am
Party for the Preserves
Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland on Saturday, Sept 27
at 10 am
Container Gardening
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center in Willow Springs on Saturday, Sept 27 at 10:30 am
Party for the Preserves
Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington on Saturday, Sept 27 at 10:30 am
Party for the Preserves
River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook on Saturday, Sept 27 at 10:30 am
Salsa Dance: Party for the Preserves
Thatcher Woods in River Forest on Saturday, Sept 27 at 11 am
Every Child Matters Powwow
Caldwell Woods in Chicago on Saturday, Sept 27 at 11 am
Party for the Preserves
Camp Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs on Saturday, Sept 27 at 12 pm
Party for the Preserves: Canoeing
Powderhorn Lake in Burnham on Sunday, Sept 28 at 10 am
Additional details on all nine events are online at fpdcc.com/party or at each Forest Preserve’s web page. Fall events through the end of November are available in the Fall 2025 Guide.
Event Links
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3232246-0
