THIS LAND IS OUR LAND

There are parties and then there are parties. And when it comes to a good cause and a good time, nothing quite matches Bagpipes & Bonfire, the eagerly awaited annual fundraiser supporting Lake Forest Open Lands Association (LFOLA).

Held on Sunday, September 24, at the Middlefork Farm Nature Preserve, this family-friendly bash always strikes a unique note.

This year’s event is chaired by Diana and David Moore, founders of Woodland Foods.

“We have been enthusiastic supporters of Lake Forest Open Lands for many years and are honored to chair this year’s Bagpipes & Bonfire,” says David. “Though our role is largely ceremonial, a great deal of planning has gone into creating what promises to be a fantastic event. The team at Lake Forest Open Lands pulls together an amazing day for the whole community to enjoy.”

The first land trust in Illinois to receive national accreditation with the Land Trust Alliance, LFOLA is an independently funded conservation and educational organization devoted to the acquisition and stewardship of natural landscapes, ensuring that all generations have a meaningful, lasting connection to nature. Since its inception in 1967, the organization has acquired, preserved, restored, and maintained over 900 acres and 16 miles of walking trails, an environmental portfolio of prairies, savannas, woodlands and wetlands—all free to the public.

“People are drawn to Lake Forest because of its beauty,” says David, “and Lake Forest Open Lands plays a tremendous role in nurturing and sustaining that beauty. The various preserves have figured so prominently in our family’s life. Many years ago, we were driving home from Sushi Kushi Toyo and realized we were catching glimpses of the Northern Lights. We quickly pulled into the West Skokie Nature Preserve and watched the show. And we frequently take our dogs to Derwen Mawr Nature Preserve, and the new Greene Nature Preserve is quickly becoming a favorite for walks.”

Bagpipes & Bonfire—LFOLA’s biggest fundraiser of the year—was first held in 1987. It was initiated by John Dick, president of the private investment firm Dicksbridge Inc., who grew up next to the Shaw Prairie, one of the finest remnant prairies in Illinois, maintained by LFOLA.As a child, he experienced the celebratory bonfires that neighboring Scottish families —the Shaws and the McCutcheons—set ablaze every autumn. The memory stuck with him as he envisioned a memorable way to celebrate the organization’s mission.

“We have enjoyed the annual Bagpipes & Bonfire since our children were quite small,” shares Diana. “Wonderfully, the event is turning into a legacy for our family as the kids now host their friends for the afternoon.”

“As true conservationists,” adds Paula Gould-Clair, LFOLA’s Vice President and Director of Development, “the Moore family walks the walk and talks the talk as demonstrated with their backyard native landscaping, coupled with their conservation support locally and elsewhere.”

Bagpipes & Bonfire, which drew 1,700 people last year, is held at Middlefork Farm Nature Preserve, the largest and most complicated land preservation project overseen by LFOLA.

Formerly a working farm, the acreage had suffered over the years from drainage issues and a crippling invasion of buckthorn, which forms dense thickets cutting of light to other species of plants.

“As Lake Forest Open Lands eradicates the buckthorn,” notes Diana, “it becomes the fuel for the enormous bonfire, which is lit after one of the many bagpipers stands atop it and plays “Amazing Grace.” It’s really a mind-blowing spectacle.”

Over the past 35 years, Bagpipes & Bonfire has raised $5.5 million in support of the LFOLA mission and its engagement and outreach programming.

True to its roots, this year’s multi-generational event—with Northern Trust as its presenting sponsor—features Highland athletes and Scottish dancers, 100 bagpipers, crafts for kids, fly casting, an apple launcher, live music, food (including the ever popular Firecakes Donuts), and—weather permitting—kilted skydivers.

Clearly, this is not just another Chardonnay and canapés affair. And fans of LFOLA wouldn’t have it any other way.

For more information, please lfola.org.