Bald Knob Cross hosts annual Fall Colors at the Cross, attendee shares personal connection

ALTO PASS, Ill. (KBSI) – Jessica Stafford lives three hours away from Bald Knob Cross, but she and her family made the long drive to Fall Colors at the Cross Sunday afternoon. 

This trip to the cross is a special one for her.  

“I’ve been coming to Bald Knob Cross ever since I was little bitty. We used to come up at least once, sometimes twice a year,” she said. “It was actually my dad’s favorite place to come, and he passed away last March, so coming up here kind of makes us feel like we’re here with him a little bit.” 

No matter your reason for attending, the views and, of course, the colors, make Bald Knob Cross one of the most picturesque settings in the region. 

Eric Gregg, chairman of the board of directors, said there is no place like it. 

“It’s just truly spectacular, and it’s a special place,” he said. “It’s a holy place to come to kind of gather yourself, and to kind of refocus. It’s an amazing place, and you can’t come up here without feeling good.” 

And with nary a cloud in the sky, Mother Nature shined down upon the cross, contributing to over 1,000 people visiting the cross this weekend.  

Executive Director Jena Guined says with the strength of the staff and volunteers at the cross, weather, if anything, is really the only concern. 

“The only thing we really hope for and pray for when we do these events is nice weather because that’s the only thing that can really go wrong in my eyes, and we’ve been blessed with two perfect days.” 

Gregg says there are big plans in store at the cross, but one thing will never change… 

“The cross will always be the focal point,” said Gregg. “Everything else is falling in around it and complement it and just enhance it even more and make the experience of coming to Bald Knob Cross that much better.”