Kishwaukee Valley Wanderers member Brian Wallace was at this week’s Rotary meeting to explain how a desire to create a community-wide destination event in Genoa led to the VolksFest Festival held on the first weekend after Labor Day. VolksFest is German for “People’s Festival.” The Wanderers were formed to take advantage of the parks and paths along the Kishwaukee River and are part of the national American Volksport Association. The Association promotes non-competitive fitness and pleasure walking using marked courses across the country that are publicized to members. The Genoa group maintains a 6.2-kilometer path with interested participants directed to the local ACE Hardware store for specific path information. Wanting to expand the impact of the path, the Wanders partnered with various other community groups to create their end of summer/start of fall three-day festival.
Wallace said multiple events are held during VolksFest, each sponsored by different groups. Among the activities are organized walking, also called a Volksmarch (People’s March); a Boy Scout breakfast; a Duck Race, a tent with more than 30 local food vendors; and a Craft Beer tasting event.
Wallace said organizers hope to expand park and path related activities beyond the fall extravaganza. One idea is adding disc golf. Instead of clubs used to hit balls into holes, discs are aimed for baskets. He said they are also looking at doing an Easter Egg hunt, a summer concert series, and even a Kishwaukee River cruise.