COLORFUL PLATE IS LICENSE TO TOUR

Warm, sunny days with a touch of cool nights and the right amount of moisture are causing leaves to change colors on schedule in Southern Illinois, yielding a colorful landscape of deep oranges, fiery reds, and bronzes.

The fall color display may be less than spectacular now, but on each October day trees continue to show some seasonal changes.

"We hope to see some good fall foliage colors next weekend," said Frances Baker, a spokesperson for the Union County Fall ColorFest, scheduled Oct. 9-10. "The colors should be at their peak by then in the Shawnee National Forest."

The annual ColorFest, sponsored by the Anna-Jonesboro Area Chamber of Commerce, features four "color" routes with points of interest.

"Maps showing the points of interest and listings of activities in each of the communities along the routes are available," said Baker. "They can be picked up visitors stations in Alto Pass, Anna, Jonesboro, Cobden and Dongola."

Colorful new vehicle license plates denote the event.

"We ordered 200 sets of the plates," said Baker. "Most have already been sold, but we do have a few sets left."

The plates, issued by the state of Illinois, are available for $20, and actually serves as vehicle plates for 60 days. "They expire at midnight the final day of the event," said Baker. "But, they make great souvenir items."

Brenda Edgar, wife of Gov. James Edgar and an Anna native, visited the area to receive the first license plate for the event.

"We hope she can return to the area for the ColorFest," Baker said.

The county-wide festival is designed to showcase the beauty of Southern Illinois.

It also offers arts and crafts shows, musical entertainment, food, quilting demonstrations, antique car and tractor shows, the 51st Illinois State Championship Duck and Goose Calling Championships -- to be held at the Trail of Tears State Forest -- and a sky-diving demonstration to be held at Anna City Park at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 10.

Activities will start each day at 9 a.m. and continue through 6 p.m..

Highlight events also include the Alto Pass Vineyards Wine Festival; Bald Knob Cross arts and crafts show; horseshoe making demonstrations at Anna City Park and model train show at Stinson Memorial Library in Anna; antiques and collectibles market at Cobden; historic building and home tours at Jonesboro; a reenactment of the Lincoln-Douglas Debate at Jonesboro Square; and much more.

"There's something for everyone," said Baker. "We have also chartered four buses, which will be available for the tours at a small fee."

The tours will take four routes:

Blue Route: This tour takes visitors to the historic Kornthal Church, which was dedicated in 1861. From there, the route leads through Union County Wildlife Refuge; the scenic Big Muddy Bluff; Larue Pine Hills and Trail of Tears State Forest.

Red Route: This route includes the Jonesboro Square, one of the sites of the Lincoln-Douglass debate; Alto Pass and Bald Knob Cross; a visit to the Alto Vineyards; and a tour of Walton Farms sheep operation.

Green Route: This route takes visitors to the Cobden Museum; a tour of the Lawrence Basket Mill; Giant City Park; and the villages of Makanda and Lick Creek.

Yellow Route: This route includes a trip to Dongola for Indian jewelry-making demonstrations, antique tractor display and doll making. It also passes the monument to King Neptune, the $19 million fund-raising pig of World War II, and a visit to historic St. John's Church and Cemetery.