Mellody Farm

Bring Your Gardening Questions, Struggling Plants and Pots for One-on-One Advice&nbsp;From Mellody Farm’s Dedicated MicroHabitat Farmer
Mellody Farm, Vernon Hills’ urban-inspired shopping and dining destination, is inviting local gardeners of all experience levels to take advantage of a unique opportunity to get complimentary, personalized gardening advice during a complimentary “Ask the Farmer” workshop on Sat., Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Mellody Farm’s dedicated urban farmer with MicroHabitat will be on hand to answer questions and offer practical advice on everything from growing vegetables and herbs to caring for edible plants, troubleshooting common garden problems and keeping home gardens healthy and thriving.
Guests are encouraged to bring their questions, pictures and can even bring along a struggling plant, container or pot for Alejandra to take a look at. Whether you’re wondering why a plant isn’t thriving, how much water or sunlight it needs, what to prune, what to plant next or how to prepare your garden for the changing season, attendees will have a gardening expert at their fingertips. The first 20 guests to attend will also receive a complimentary seed packet, while supplies last.
The program takes place at Mellody Farm’s MicroHabitat Urban Farm, located on the green lawn between Nordstrom Rack and the children’s play area. The farm features 60 planters filled with vegetables, herbs and edible flowers, with produce harvested throughout the growing season and donated to the Vernon Township Food Pantry.
EVENT DETAILS
Free “Ask the Farmer” Gardening Workshop
Oct. 17, 2026
10 a.m.&nbsp; to 11:30 a.m.
Mellody Farm MicroHabitat Urban Farm
851–1101 Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills
Register: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winterizing-your-garden-putting-the-garden-to-bed-tickets-1992891263416?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">eventbrite.com/e/winterizing-your-garden-putting-the-garden-to-bed-tickets-1992891263416?aff=oddtdtcreator</a>
For more information, to register for workshops or to learn more about upcoming events at Mellody Farm, visit the Mellody Farm website, follow Mellody Farm on social media or register through Eventbrite.
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More About Mellody Farm
Located in the heart of Vernon Hills, Illinois, Mellody Farm is an open-air shopping, dining and lifestyle destination owned and operated by Regency Centers. Conveniently located at the corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Townline Road, just two miles west of Interstate 94, the center features approximately 270,000 square feet of retail, restaurants and entertainment alongside 260 executive apartments. Designed as a vibrant community gathering place, Mellody Farm offers a thoughtfully curated mix of national retailers, local dining experiences and year-round events that bring people together through shopping, dining, wellness and community engagement.

Local Event: Free “Ask the Farmer” Gardening Workshop at Mellody Farm in Vernon Hills

Lake County

Vernon Hills

Illinois

Free “Ask the Farmer” Gardening Workshop at...

Bring Your Gardening Questions, Struggling Plants and Pots for One-on-One Advice From Mellody Farm’s Dedicated MicroHabitat...

Free “Ask the Farmer” Gardening Workshop at Mellody Farm in Vernon Hills

The Dome at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex

Get ready for a frightfully fun Halloween weekend! Jewel-Osco invites Chicagoland to JoJo’s FANG-TASTIC Halloween Bash, a completely FREE, two-day haunted house experience taking over The Dome at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex. Guests can brave creepy environments, unexpected scares and spooky surprises, plus enjoy a Monster Mash dance party, silent classic horror films, photo opportunities and appearances by JoJo, Jewel-Osco’s beloved mascot. Designed for those who enjoy a little extra fright, the experience features PG-13-level thrills and is recommended for ages 13+. Admission and adjacent parking are FREE, with concessions available for purchase.
WHEN: Saturday, October 17, 4–9 p.m. and Sunday, October 18, 12–5 p.m.
WHERE: The Dome at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex, <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/27+Jennie+Finch+Way,+Des+Plaines,+IL+60018?entry=gmail&amp;source=g" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">27 Jennie Finch Way, Des Plaines, IL 60018</a>
COST: FREE admission and adjacent parking; concessions available for purchase.
MORE INFO: <a href="https://celebratewithjewelosco.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">celebratewithjewelosco.com</a>

Local Event: Jewel-Osco Hosts FREE FANG-TASTIC Haunted House Experience October 17–18

Cook County

Des Plaines

Jewel-Osco Hosts FREE FANG-TASTIC Haunted House...

Get ready for a frightfully fun Halloween weekend! Jewel-Osco invites Chicagoland to JoJo’s FANG-TASTIC Halloween Bash, a...

Jewel-Osco Hosts FREE FANG-TASTIC Haunted House Experience October 17–18

Celebrate fall at Mellody Farm’s annual Harvest Festival, a full day of live entertainment, seasonal activities, food and drink experiences, pet-friendly fun, shopping, giveaways, and community programming.
Daytime activities are free and open to the public, with ticketed Harvest Festival Bites &amp; Sips and Bourbon &amp; Bonfires experiences beginning at 4 p.m. The festival is sponsored by Eagle Ridge Resort &amp; Spa, and proceeds from the event benefit the Hawthorn School District PTO.Saturday, October 24th10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
<h2>Festival Highlights</h2>
Mellody Farm Harvest Haul
10 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
Pick up a complimentary Harvest Haul card at check-in and “Fill Your Basket Around the Farm” by visiting participating retailers, restaurants and festival activities. Complete at least eight stops to receive a free fall-themed Mellody Farm item, while supplies last, and be entered to win prizes.
The grand prize includes a two-night family getaway to Eagle Ridge Resort &amp; Spa, plus prizes from Mellody Farm businesses including OVME Medical Aesthetics, European Wax Center and SITKA Gear.&nbsp;
<hr>
Illinois Agriculture &amp; Urban Farm Zone + Winterizing Your Garden Workshop
10 a.m . –1 p.m.
Explore agriculture, gardening and sustainability with the Lake County Farm Bureau, University of Illinois Extension and Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Partnership.
From 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m., join the free Winterizing Your Garden Workshop for seasonal gardening tips. Morning offerings also include Biscuits &amp; Bloody Marys, plus lemonade and cider, available as part of the ticketed Bites &amp; Sips experience.
<hr>
Fall Fun Throughout Mellody Farm
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Look for strolling entertainment and activities while shopping throughout the property, including:
<ul><li>Face painting</li><li>Balloon artists</li><li>Seasonal characters</li><li>Fall photo opportunities</li><li>Appearances by Mellody Farm’s four-legged ambassador, Keenam</li></ul>
<hr>
Yappy Hour Presented by Lazy Dog
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Bring your four-legged family members for a special Yappy Hour, featuring a fall pet costume contest, photo opportunities, giveaways and a pet rescue and adoption event with PAWS Chicago.
<hr>
Harvest Festival Bites &amp; Sips
4 p.m. – 8 p.m. | <a href="https://omella.com/267p5" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Ticket Required</a>
Taste your way around Mellody Farm at six Bites &amp; Sips stations featuring participating restaurants including City Works, Tangled Roots, Mendocino Farms and Lazy Dog. Enjoy a variety of seasonal bites and beverages, from meatloaf sliders and pretzels to beer, house-made lemonade and more.
<hr>
Bourbon &amp; Bonfires
4 p.m. – 8 p.m. | <a href="https://omella.com/267p5" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Ticket Required</a>
Settle in around the fire pits for Bourbon &amp; Bonfires with Aged in Oak, featuring bourbon tastings, curated flights, bourbon education and a relaxed fall gathering experience.
<hr>
Live Music
Beginning at 4 p.m.
Enjoy free live music from Big Boss and the Toes as the Harvest Festival transitions into its evening celebration.
<h2>Give Back This Fall</h2>
Harvest Festival also kicks off Mellody Farm’s seasonal community giving initiative. Guests are encouraged to donate nonperishable food and clothing to support local families and hunger-relief efforts.
<a href="https://omella.com/267p5" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Purchase Tickets</a>
Daytime activities are free and open to the public. Tickets are required for Harvest Festival Bites &amp; Sips and Bourbon &amp; Bonfires.
<ul><li>Harvest Festival Bites &amp; Sips: $35</li><li>Bourbon &amp; Bonfires: $35</li><li>Bites &amp; Sips + Bourbon &amp; Bonfires Package: $55</li><li>Designated Driver Ticket: $20</li></ul>
Check back for additional participating businesses, programming, and festival updates.

Local Event: Mellody Farm Harvest Festival Returns to Vernon Hills Oct. 24

Mellody Farm Harvest Festival Returns to Vernon...

Celebrate fall at Mellody Farm’s annual Harvest Festival, a full day of live entertainment, seasonal activities, food and drink...

Mellody Farm Harvest Festival Returns to Vernon Hills Oct. 24

Gardeners looking to prepare their yards, plants and vegetable gardens for colder weather can get expert advice during a free “Winterizing Your Garden” workshop at Mellody Farm on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., kicking off a full day of activities during the Mellody Farm<a href="https://www.mellodyfarm.com/events/harvest-festival/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"> Harvest Festival</a>.
Led by Mellody Farm’s dedicated MicroHabitat farmer Alejandra Rodriguez, the workshop will offer practical seasonal advice on putting gardens to bed for winter, protecting plants from colder temperatures, preparing soil for the months ahead and setting gardens up for a successful spring.
Rodriguez will be joined by Alex Landberg, Lake County Master Gardener/Master Naturalist Program Coordinator with University of Illinois Extension – Lake County, as well as Lake County Extension Master Gardeners. Representatives from American Farmland Trust (AFT) and the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership (ISAP) will also participate, sharing information about sustainable agriculture, farmland stewardship and their work supporting farmers and landowners in Lake County and throughout Illinois.
All participating agricultural and gardening experts will remain on site through 1 p.m., giving guests additional time following the workshop to ask questions, learn more about their organizations and pick up educational materials. The workshop is free, but advance registration is requested through<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winterizing-your-garden-putting-the-garden-to-bed-tickets-1992891263416?aff=oddtdtcreator&amp;keep_tld=true" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"> Eventbrite</a>. The first 20 registered attendees will receive a complimentary seed packet.
Add Biscuits &amp; Bloody Marys to the Morning:&nbsp;Guests can make a morning of it with Biscuits &amp; Bloody Marys, a special Harvest Festival food-and-drink experience taking place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. One $35 ticket includes the morning experience - biscuits from Buttermilk restaurant, Bloody Marys and apple cider - and also includes admission to the Bites &amp; Sips portion of the Harvest Festival later that day, featuring food and beverage tastings from participating Mellody Farm restaurants and businesses. Proceeds from the $35 ticket benefit the Hawthorn School District 73 PTO.
The workshop is part of Mellody Farm’s ongoing Urban Farm programming, connecting the community with local agriculture, gardening education and the seasonal growing process. Mellody Farm’s Urban Farm features 60 planters maintained by MicroHabitat, with produce harvested throughout the season benefiting the Vernon Township Food Pantry.
Guests are invited to stay for the full Mellody Farm Harvest Festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and features food and drink experiences, live entertainment, face painting, balloon artists, shopping, community programming, pet-friendly activities, giveaways and more. Additional Harvest Festival programming and participating businesses can be found at<a href="https://www.mellodyfarm.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"> </a><a href="https://www.mellodyfarm.com/events/harvest-festival/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.mellodyfarm.com</a>.

Local Event: Biscuits, Bloody Marys & Winter Garden Wisdom Come to Mellody Farm

Biscuits, Bloody Marys & Winter Garden Wisdom...

Gardeners looking to prepare their yards, plants and vegetable gardens for colder weather can get expert advice during a free...

Biscuits, Bloody Marys & Winter Garden Wisdom Come to Mellody Farm

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Park Ridge

Niles-Morton Grove

Eric DeGrechie

Glenview

Arlington Heights

Northbrook

Rachel Barnes

Skokie

Winnetka-Glencoe

Palatine

Wilmette-Kenilworth

DuPage County

David Giuliani

Elmhurst

1521 S. Linn White Dr., Northerly Island, Chicago, IL 60605

FEATURING ELDERBROOK LIVE AT SUNSET
The Wellness Retreat is taking over Chicago’s Northerly Island for one unforgettable day of movement, music, mindfulness and connection.
Move alongside leading instructors. Discover fresh ways to feel your best. Recharge by the lake, connect with your people and close out the day with a live sunset performance by Elderbrook.
This isn’t wellness as usual. It’s immersive, energizing and meant to be experienced out loud—together.
AND THAT’S JUST THE BEGINNING.

For more information, <a href="https://speakeasygo.com/the-wellness-retreat/the-wellness-retreat-chicago?eid=EVE-I2830I" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">click here.&nbsp;</a>

(Photo Credit: © 2026 The Wellness Retreat. All rights reserved.)

Local Event: The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet

Chicago

The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind,...

FEATURING ELDERBROOK LIVE AT SUNSET
The Wellness Retreat is taking over Chicago’s Northerly Island for one unforgettable day of...

The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet

North School Park, 307 N. Evergreen Ave. Arlington Heights, IL, 60004

Join northwest suburban residents and local pro-democracy groups for the "No Kings Vote Early" rally and Democracy Fair—part of a massive nationwide mobilization of over 2,300 coordinated events taking place on the same day.
This peaceful community gathering is for anyone who wants to protect, celebrate, exercise, and proclaim our unalienable right to vote.&nbsp;Co-sponsored by 10 regional organizations, the afternoon offers a vibrant space for community connection, featuring a Democracy Fair packed with on-site resources and voter services provided by the League of Women Voters.Attendees can also enjoy poster-making and kids’ coloring stations, live folk music by Paul Budin, and participate in a fundraising drive supporting the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
A powerful lineup of guest speakers will take the stage, including Illinois State Senator Karina Villa, ACLU of Illinois Director of Communications &amp; Public Policy Ed Yohnka, Gen Z podcaster and activist Ishaan Srivastava, and Clearbrook Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Jesse Rojo.
The event will include an organized community march to the polls, giving participants an opportunity to drop off mail-in ballots at a nearby early voting drop box.
Co-sponsored by Indivisible Elk Grove Township, Indivisible Illinois, Indivisible Niles-Maine Township, Indivisible NWSOFA, Elk Grove Township Democrats, Wheeling Democrats, Young Democrats of Wheeling Township, Hands off Wheeling, and Common Defense.
This event is free, family-friendly, and open to all community members, friends, and pets. For more information or to RSVP, please visit <a href="https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1035712/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">mobilize.us/nokings/event/1035712/</a>

Local Event: NO KINGS VOTE EARLY (Arlington Heights)

Elk Grove Village

NO KINGS VOTE EARLY (Arlington Heights)

Join northwest suburban residents and local pro-democracy groups for the "No Kings Vote Early" rally and Democracy Fair—part of...

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Posting Activity

Free “Ask the Farmer” Gardening Workshop at Mellody Farm in Vernon Hills

OCT

17

10:00 AM

Mellody Farm, 851-1101 Milwaukee Ave, Vernon Hills, IL

Jewel-Osco Hosts FREE FANG-TASTIC Haunted House Experience October 17–18

OCT

17

4:00 PM

The Dome at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex, 27 Jennie Finch Way, Des Plaines, IL

Mellody Farm Harvest Festival Returns to Vernon Hills Oct. 24

OCT

24

10:00 AM

Mellody Farm, 851-1101 Milwaukee Ave, Vernon Hills, IL

Biscuits, Bloody Marys & Winter Garden Wisdom Come to Mellody Farm

OCT

24

10:00 AM

Mellody Farm, 851-1101 Milwaukee Ave, Vernon Hills, IL

The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet

NO KINGS VOTE EARLY (Arlington Heights)