Though part of the fun at Shermerfest in Northbrook on Sept. 21 was in spilling toy ducks into the water, the main attraction was a live cow, who was supposed to produce a cow pie on a grass field where volunteers had painted a grid.
At 3 p.m. sharp, hundreds of yellow rubber duckies were dumped by a tractor from the Shermer Road bridge into the river along Village Green Park for the annual Rotary Club of Northbrook’s Rubber Ducky Race. The lucky duck would be the first to make it downstream to a nearby finish line.
But it was the 2 p.m. Cow Pie Moo-lette that attracted the attention of frustrated (but pleasant) good sports who hoped to see which square a cow pie would land on.
If the cow manure landed on a square, the person who had earlier bought the number of that square would win.
Unfortunately, Hannah, 6, the borrowed Guernsey dairy cow from Historic Wagner Farm of Glenview, was not in the mood to move her intestines and provide that cow pie.
Hannah had a timed 30 minutes to do her thing but was more interested in getting out of the pen. She spent much of the time hovering in the corner along the orange fencing where she was escorted in.
Are dairy cows shy about their business if humans are cheering, pointing and watching?
“Our cows are all used to the public a lot,” said Jon Kuester, Historic Wagner Farm director who brought Hannah to Shermerfest.
“The crowd doesn’t bother her at all, but…”
Four winners were drawn instead.
Hannah did seem to eat a lot of the thick grass during that half hour. The grid was painted on the turf in white.
“The paint is a non toxic, biodegradable paint that is usually used on sports fields,” Kuester said. “It is mostly composed of chalk and doesn’t hurt the cows.
“We always have a great time at Shermerfest and are happy to support the historical society,” Kuester added.
Judy Hughes of Northbrook, Northbrook Historical Society president, said Shermerfest is the society’s only fundraiser.
This was the 47th annual Shermerfest, Hughes said. Visitors attending the free event could enjoy games, craft activities, a community expo and mum sales. The weather was sunny and balmy.
Lunch for purchase included hot dogs, tomato or split pea soup plus non-spicy chili.
“We absolutely love filling the park with Northbrook residents having a good time at this event,” Hughes said with a smile.
This year was also the 25th anniversary of the classic car show which was launched and timed with the village’s centennial in 2001.
Dan and Susan Kaye of Northbrook organized this year’s car show, which welcomed approximately 85 vehicles. A smaller car parade took place beforehand.
“It’s just always so nice to see the variety of cars that come into the park,” Dan Kaye said.
“You know, you have a Model A followed by a ‘57 Chevy followed by a fairly new Mercedes or a BMW,” he added.
“It’s just fun to see all those cars and they’re all classics.”
Shermerfest 2025 was presented by the Northbrook Historical Society in partnership with the Northbrook Park District, the Village of Northbrook and Sunset Foods, according to signage.