I've been ready for fall since the day after Labor Day. My afternoons are spent eating pumpkin spice anything while watching scary movies and I spend my evenings with hot apple cider and cuddling on the couch. Seriously, I have had enough of summer.

At least it looks like fall; the leaves are starting to change colors, a layer of already fallen leaves has started to blanket your backyard and the temperatures at night are perfect for gathering around a bonfire- all things that are just enough to put you in the mood for making those fall festival plans.

While there are several taking place right here in the Rockford area, there is one in particular that is getting national recognition for being one of the most 'travel worthy' fall events in the country; and it's not too far from Rockford.

According to Orbitz, The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival is number 9 on a list of "14 Travel-Worth Fall Events."

If you've never heard of this festival, put it on your fall list of things to do. I stumbled across it a few days ago when I was searching events on Facebook and I've never seen anything like it.

According to the event's website, you can be a part of history as they try to attempt to break the world record for the most carved and lit pumpkins at once. They attempt to break the record every year and this year, the number to beat is 30,851.

So, how can you help break the record? Just bring your own carved pumpkin with a candle inside and you'll get a free admission pass for the weekend.  The pumpkin drop off is right in front of Highwood's city hall and BYOP pumpkins will be accepted through October 8th.

Just take a look at how cool this event, which helps raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation, really is.

Bonus Video

Catch Mandy James on “The Steve Shannon Show with Mandy James” on 97 ZOK from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow her on TwitterInstagram and Facebook.

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