Kine' Interviews Art Mathews, "What's Going On at the Forest Preserves of Cook County"
Sep 15, 2026Celebrate Cook County’s Public Lands during Party for the Preserves
From funky world music to salsa music and an acoustic jam session, canoeing, hikes and more, free family fun is set for September 26-27 in honor of National Public Lands Day
The last weekend in September is the perfect time to celebrate the outdoors, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County has your invite: the annual Party for the Preserves offers music, family activities, hikes and more all weekend long.
This year’s Party for the Preserves features the joyful world music tunes of Funkadesi at Camp Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs, live salsa music from Latin Swing Factor at Thatcher Woods in River Forest and a bring-your-own-instrument acoustic jam session at Camp Shabbona Woods in South Holland. Attendees can also expect canoeing, hiking, and fun family activities.
“ Party for the Preserves is fun with a purpose,” said Cook County Board and Forest Preserves of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “In honor of National Public Lands Day, it’s a reminder that the outdoors belongs to all of us and provides a fun, healthy and safe resource for all to enjoy.”
Highlights include a return engagement for salsa dance experts Latin Swing Factor at Thatcher Woods in River Forest. A DJ and instructors will offer lessons at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 and the live nine-piece band goes on at 12:45 p.m.
Later that afternoon, hometown favorite band Funkadesi—celebrating their 30th anniversary this fall—will perform at Camp Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs, starting at 5:30 p.m. Meanwhile, an acoustic jam session will kick off at Camp Shabbona Woods in South Holland at 6:30 p.m.
Music, canoeing, night hikes, and family activities including a season kickoff for the Cook County 4H program at Camp Bullfrog Lake round out the Party offerings across the Forest Preserves.
It’s all part of National Public Lands Day. Held annually on the fourth Saturday in September since 1994, the goal of the observance is to celebrate and care for the outdoors while bringing people together. In that spirit, opportunities will be available at each Party for the Preserves location to learn more about volunteering with the Forest Preserves year-round.
Saturday, September 26
The Forest Preserves invites Cook County residents and friends to four signature Party events to celebrate National Public Lands Day:
Salsa Dance at Thatcher Woods Forest Preserve, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Chicago Ave, west of Thatcher Ave, River Forest
Celebrate National Public Lands Day and National Hispanic Heritage Month with the hottest salsa party of the year! From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Latin Street Dancing offers a DJ & salsa dance lessons, with dancing to live salsa music by Latin Swing Factor from 12:45 to 2 p.m. There’ll be games and smores and food for purchase, too. Programa ofrecido en Espanol e Inglés. Register here.
Party for the Preserves at Camp Bullfrog Lake, noon to 9 p.m.
9600 Wolf Rd | Willow Springs, IL 60480
The ultimate party celebrating National Public Lands Day offers canoes, music and the cosmos. Attendees can paddle 10-person canoes with Wilderness Inquiry from noon to 6 p.m. and take part in family activities led by Cook County 4H from noon to 3 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., attendees will enjoy joyful tunes that blend music from around the world by Chicago’s own Funkadesi. As the sun sets, there’ll be a bonfire plus a chance to make s’mores. Around 7:30 p.m. until 9 p.m., view the night sky by telescope and on hikes through the area, which is certified as an Urban Night Sky Place. Free, with food available for purchase. Register here.
Acoustics under the stars at Camp Shabbona Woods, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
15810 S Torrence Ave | South Holland, IL 60473
Come to listen or sing and play along at a jam session around the fire (with s’mores, of course). Bring your own instrument to join in with a group that’s been known to draw more than 60 local musicians on everything from acoustic guitars to kazoos and even a tuba. The jam session starts at 6:30 p.m. Register here.
Sunday, September 27
Canoeing at Powderhorn Lake, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
S Brainard Ave, east of S Burnham Ave/S Ave O
Attendees can paddle at one of Chicago’s most pristine natural areas in one of Wilderness Inquiry’s 10-person canoes, plus enjoy fun family activities, from 10 am–2 pm. Register here.
More Party for the Preserves programs Saturday, September 26
In addition to the signature events, there are even more free happenings in honor of National Public Lands Day on Saturday:
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont, IL 60439, 9:30 a.m.
River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook, IL 60062, 10:30 am
Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington, IL, 60010
Bunker Hill, Niles, IL 60714, 11:00 am to 5 p.m. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call 773-883-9100 to register.
All Party for the Preserves events are free and open to the public. To learn more and register, visit fpdcc.com/party.
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