Byron Forest Preserve District

7993 North River Road, PO BOX 1075, Byron, IL
815-234-8535
Typically Responds within 24 hours
Capacity: 450 people

About Byron Forest Preserve District

We have the perfect place for… Outdoor / Indoor Wedding Ceremonies Rehearsal Dinners Wedding Receptions Family Reunions Class Reunions Family Holiday Parties Corporate Events Team Building Business Meetings Seminars Company Picnics

Event Pricing

Premier Wedding Package
Attendees: 100-200 | $6,000 /event
Pricing for weddings only
Museum Wedding Package
Attendees: 100-200 | $4,000 /event
Pricing for weddings only
Blazingstar Wedding Package
Attendees: 75-200 | $3,000 /event
Pricing for weddings only
Simple Blazingstar Wedding Package
Attendees: 50-200 | $2,000 /event
Pricing for weddings only
Simple Museum Wedding Package
Attendees: 50-100 | $1,500 /event
Pricing for weddings only
Business & Social Rentals
Attendees: 15-240 | $100 - $200 /hour
Pricing for parties and meetings only
Key: Not Available

Availability

Last Updated: 3/15/2024

Event Spaces

Museum & Deck Combo
Museum & Deck Combo
Blazingstar Banquet Room
Blazingstar Banquet Room

Recommendations

Great place to hold an event - An Eventective User from Leaf River, IL

We held our annual saddle club banquet at the Jarrett Prairie Center and the facility was amazing! Support staff helped us with anything we needed. I would highly recommend them.

Wonderful Wedding Location - An Eventective User from Winnebago, IL

We had our wedding reception on the top floor of the museum for medium sized wedding of 110 people. It was perfect! Raul was so great to work with and made sure that all of our details were right for our special day. Couldn't recommend more!

Wedding 06/17/2023 - An Eventective User from Rockford, IL

We had our wedding ceremony at Byron Forest Preserve and were very pleased. Raul guided us through the set up of the location and even made sure we had a back up plan for rain. The area was beautiful for pictures! Would highly recommend

Management Response
Thank you so much for your kind response, we are very glad you liked our facilities.
Amazing wedding venue - An Eventective User from Byron , IL

Raul & team at the Forest Preserve were so awesome to work with! Everyone is so patient and friendly. Weddings can be stressful and they made everything completely stress free. Everything went exactly how we could have hoped for. The room downstairs was so perfect and the kitchen was so great for my catering company. I would recommend this to everyone to use for their wedding!

Management Response
Thank you very much for your kind words. We are very glad you liked our facilities to host your special day with us.
Perfect place for wedding! - An Eventective User from ,

We got married in May 2023 and it was perfect! The staff are all wonderful and were incredibly helpful anytime we needed anything or had questions. Would definitely recommend them as a venue. Beautiful, well maintained prairie surrounds the Jarrett Prairie center.

Beautiful Space and Great Service! - An Eventective User from Byron, IL

I planned my wedding from out-of-state as I am a college student. The BFPD was great at communicating clearly and promptly, answering all my questions, being available for showings when I was in town, and being present during my day-before set-up time. They have incredibly reasonable pricing and a beautiful prairie — my favorite wedding photos are those overlooking it!

What a Spectacular Event Space - An Eventective User from Byron, IL

Our daughter wanted to get married outdoors and the Byron Forest Preserve did not disappoint. She fell in love with the towering trees in all directions at the Wilson Property on Whitaker Road. This unknown gem is part of the Byron Forest Preserve and while it is a little off the beaten path, it was the perfect spot for her to tie the knot. The peaked roof and the cement floor provided enough weather protection for her to risk scheduling an outdoor wedding at the end of October. The staff at the forest preserve went out of their way to make sure the path was freshly mowed and the shelter was clean. There is even a fireplace but we didn't need it with the beautiful temperatures nature provided. When she came down the path on her dad's arm, nature provided a glorious backdrop with hues of autumn splendor. In every direction there was a spectacular view! This property has a cathedral feel. The reception was held at the Jarrett Prairie Center. So many guests commented on the beautiful drive up the hill to the JPC. Appetizers were served upstairs and on the deck. Everyone enjoyed the beautiful prairie view and the museum displays while they sipped on drinks and enjoyed visiting. The main reception was held downstairs in the newly remodeled space. The beautiful stone wall made an excellent backdrop for the couple's sweetheart table. The electric fireplace and comfortable seating added some ambiance and a place to step away. The bride's room provided a place to get ready, and also stash away decoration boxes, extra supplies etc. Her 110 guests were easily accommodated with plenty of dance space and room for the buffet. The staff was so easy to work with. Raul made sure to go over everything from the table set up to the bar service and more. No detail was left out and the whole day was stress free. I would highly recommend contacting the Byron Forest Preserve if you are looking for a beautiful venue for your next event.

Management Response
Thank you, Patti. We are so glad everything went well for you guys and that your guest enjoyed our venue on your daughter's special day. We look forward to hosting future events for your family. Thank you!
Wedding - An Eventective User from Byron , IL

We had our wedding here at this perfect location in September. Our ceremony was outside against the prairie and Forrest. The cocktail hour and reception were in the Jarrett Prairie center. We couldn't have asked for a better venu for our big day. The views on the deck are amazing. We can't thank the staff enough for making this day happen. If you're looking for the perfect location venue look no further.

Wedding ceremony/reception - An Eventective User from Stillman Valley, IL

We had our wedding ceremony on the deck and reception in the basement. It was beautiful and the staff was so friendly and laid back. I would 100% recommend this place for an event.

Beautiful Wedding Venue - An Eventective User from Beloit, WI

We held our wedding ceremony and reception here and couldn't have been happier! Raul and Bill were both extremely helpful - answering any and all questions we could think of and ensuring that everything was ready to go for the day of the event (chairs, tables, sound system, etc). We had around 150/160 guests and had more than enough space and accommodations for all of them at the outdoor stage for the ceremony and the lower level of the Jarrett Prairie Center for the reception. Overall, we had a great experience, the staff made everything super easy (relieving a ton of stress), and we would 10/10 recommend!

Management Response
Thank you very much for your recommendation and we are glad you enjoyed having your special day with us.
Venue Types
Amenities
  • ADA/ACA Accessible
  • Full Bar/Lounge
  • Fully Equipped Kitchen
  • Outdoor Function Area
  • Outside Catering Allowed
  • Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi
Features
  • Max Number of People for an Event: 450
  • Number of Event/Function Spaces: 3
  • Special Features: The Deck and Museum at the Jarrett Prairie Center overlooks 460 acres of natural prairie, you also have beautiful views of the Rock River Valley. By utilizing both levels of the building we can accommodate for up to 450 people.
  • Total Meeting Room Space (Square Feet): 8,000
  • Year Renovated: 2020