Take a drive through Spoon River Valley

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October seems a long way off, but don't let Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive go by this fall without notice.

This year, the 41st, the drive takes place Oct. 4, 5, 11 and 12, and has 22 authorized sites in Fulton County. The route covers 100 miles.

The official areas are Avon, Astoria, Ipava, Bernadotte, Duncan Mills, Lewistown, Waterford/Dickson Mounds Museum, Cuba, Smithfield, Canton, Farmington, Fairview, Ellisville, Mount Pisgah Park and London Mills.

There are a variety of tempting activities to indulge in along the way. Crafters will be working, various old-fashioned demonstrations will take place and free entertainment can be found.

Food takes the form of rib-eye steak sandwiches, butterfly pork chops, homemade pies, breads, funnel cakes, elephant ears, apple butter cider, root beer, lemonade, slushes and fall produce.

In the line of fall abundance, apples, pumpkins, gourds, jams, jellies, Indian corn, and grapes can be added to the list of what to look for.

Here are a few of the events:

n Marigold Meadows Farm, northeast corner of Lewistown, will have Belgians and other draft horses plowing, disking and mowing with antique arm equipment. Fruit pies will be baked in a log cabin with an iron cookstove. This means guests can eat their pie and watch the farming, too.

n Edgar Lee Masters' "Spoon River Anthology" will be read by costumed locals at 3 p.m. on Oct. 5 and Oct. 12 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lewistown. Visitors should bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Admission is free.

n Train enthusiasts will find the Narrow Gauge Depot in Lewistown, the Avon Depot and the restored Canton Depot with a Dinky engine, just their cup of tea.

n At the Rasmussen Blacksmith Shop Museum, Lewistown, guests can discover tools and equipment, as well as the blacksmith's records. A modern blacksmith will be at work on the forge, clanging out souvenir horseshoes.

Ellisville's blacksmith, too, will be at work on plant hangers, candlesticks, wall ornaments and tools.

n In Smithfield, guests can find the Red Brick School.

n For more history and learning, there's the Dickson Mounds State Museum near Lewistown, Brown's Oakridge Exotics & Zoo, near Smithfield (walk-through zoo) and the Ross Hotel Museum in London Mills.

n When out on the drive, try to save room for the area specialties. London Mills is known for its kettles of apple butter, Farmington has its Spoon River Spuds, and baked goods are all the rage in Duncan Mills.

n Stop by the Ellisville Opera House for a children's play, "Peter Pan."

To find all of these sites, visitors will need to purchase the program book and map. They can be purchased in advance (available after Sept. 1) by sending $4 to Spoon River Scenic Drive, Box 525, Canton, IL 61520 or by visiting www.spoonriverdrive.org on the Internet.

Those who don't like the crowds, might want to purchase the book and map and take the drive on their own off-season. Although the activities won't be going on, it still will make an interesting drive.

What: Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive

When: Oct. 4, 5, 11 and 12

Where: Spoon River Valley, near Avon.

Cost: To order 2008 program, send $4 to Spoon River Scenic Drive, Box 525, Canton, IL 641520 or visit www.spoonriverdrive.org on the Internet. Programs are available by Sept. 1.

Information: Visit www.spoonriverdrive. org or call 309-647-8980.