The Northern Illinois Air Show takes flight Saturday, Sept. 9, at Waukegan National Airport.
Starts before Friday
Elgin Fringe Festival: Wednesday through Sunday, Sept. 6-10, in downtown Elgin. Opening night Wednesday at the Martini Room. Most performances are Thursday through Sunday. The 10th annual event features a variety of performances. Single tickets are free, $7 or $12. EFF button access to all performances is $3. Fringe Central is at 15 Ziegler Court. elginfringefestival.com.
Friday, Sept. 8
Taste of Chicago: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Sept. 8-10, in Grant Park at Buckingham Fountain Plaza, Chicago. Features 35 food vendors, 15 food trucks, beer hall, wine garden, cocktail lounge, music and entertainment on three stages, karaoke, Chicago SummerDance, trivia, kids’ entertainment and more. Free; food vendors accept cash and credit cards. chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/taste_of_chicago.html.
Festival of the Vine: Noon to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, on James Street between Fourth and Fifth streets, Geneva. Flavor Fare features wine and food, live music, kids’ activities and free horse-drawn carriage rides. Music from Wild Daisy at 7:30 p.m. Friday; Feel Good Party Band at 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and Planet Groove at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Arts and crafts show from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Third and Campbell streets. Free. genevachamber.com.
Lake County RV Outlet Show: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at the Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Browse the latest in pop-up campers, travel trailers, camper vans, motor homes and more. Free. rvoutletshow.com.
Itasca Oktoberfest: 5-10:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8; 3-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9; and 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at Washington Park, 350 E. Irving Park Road, Itasca. 15th annual festival with German food, music and entertainment. Music from Euro Express from 7-10 p.m. Friday and Happy Wonderers from 3-6 p.m. and Alpine Thunder from 7-10 p.m. Saturday. Family Fun Day on Sunday with games, food truck, police car and fire trucks. Free. itascaparkdistrict.com.
Outdoor Movie Nights: 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, at Deer Park Town Center, 20530 N. Rand Road, Deer Park. Preshow activities include face painting, balloon artist, yard games and more. “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” begins at 7 p.m. Free. shopdeerparktowncenter.com.
Platzkonzert Germanfest: 6-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at Virginia Mary Hayter Village Green, 5510 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. A family-friendly celebration of all things German, including food, music, beer and kids’ activities. Free. hoffmanestates.org.
Saturday, Sept. 9
Historic Elgin House Tour: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9-10. Explore six homes in Elgin’s historic North East neighborhood. Advance tickets are $20, $15 for ages 65 or older, $10 for 18 and younger; $5 more the day-of. historicelginhousetour.com.
Kiwanis Kite Fly: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 9, at Margreth Riemer Reservoir Park, Palatine. Free kites will be given to the first 200 children. Child must be present to receive a kite. palatineparks.org.
Northern Illinois Air Show: Gates open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., show from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Waukegan National Airport, 2601 W. Plane Rest Drive, Waukegan. Air show features flights of the U.S. Navy EA-18 Growler and the Airforce A-10 Warthog, flight demonstrations from aerobatic pilots and historic planes. Helicopter rides from 10:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. $20. northernillinoisairshow.com
Family Fishing Event: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 9, at Lakefront Park, 1019 N. Lake Shore Drive, Round Lake Beach. The annual fishing event is sponsored by the Huebner Fishery Management Foundation. Free. Register online at rlapd.org.
Makers Market Craft Fair: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Stanger Park, Algonquin Road and Elder Lane, Fox River Grove. Second annual handmade makers market featuring 30 local artists, makers and bakers. Food, beer and nonalcoholic drinks for sale. Free. facebook.com/FRGMakersMarket.
Pet Event: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Bartlett Gazebo Park, 102 N. Eastern Ave., Bartlett. For pets and their humans. Meet more than 15 area rescue organizations, shop more than 20 pet-related vendors and watch animal demos. Food and fall treats for purchase. Free. artsinbartlett.org/pet-event.
Dozens of re-enactors from the Northwest Territory Alliance stage mock battles during the Revolutionary War Re-Enactment Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9-10, at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. – Courtesy of Northwest Territory Alliance
Revolutionary War Re-Enactment: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9-10, at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Dozens of re-enactors from the Northwest Territory Alliance camp at the park to stage mock battles and provide a look at what life was like in the 18th century. Food for purchase. $15 per car. cantigny.org.
Illinois Brews @ Bowes Creek: 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Bowes Creek Country Club, 1250 Bowes Creek Blvd., Elgin. Elgin Parks & Recreation Foundation fundraiser featuring more than five local breweries, live music and food. $45; VIP access at 3 p.m. for $65; designated driver $25. elginparksfoundation.org/ilbrewsatbowes.
Rock the Block: 4-11:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, on Main Street in Lake Zurich. Annual block party with music, food and activities. Free. lakezurich.org.
Sunday, Sept. 10
Lake Forest Antiques and Treasures in the Field: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, behind Deerpath Middle School, 95 W. Deerpath Road, Lake Forest. More than 50 dealers from across the Midwest will be selling furniture, textiles, glassware, garden accessories, vintage jewelry and clothing. $10; free admission for kids. lakeforestantiquesale.com.
Scandinavian Day Festival: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin. Traditional food of five Nordic cultures, crafts and entertainment. Church service at 10:30 a.m., Leikarringen Heimhug Dancers at 11:35 a.m. and Nordic Folk Dancers of Chicago at 1:30 p.m. Kids’ activities include “Elsa in the Park and “Stories with Elsa,” pony rides and face painting. Music from Grammy Award-winning violinist Mads Tolling from 12:05-1:20 p.m., Smorgas Bandet from 2-3 p.m., and Dancing Queen ABBA Salute from 3:30-5 p.m. $10; free for kids 12 and younger. scandinaviandayil.com.
Fall Caboose Days: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at the Fox River Trolley Museum, off Route 31, South Elgin. Ride with the conductor in the Big Red Caboose or with the engineer in the locomotive. $5-$8. foxtrolley.org/special-events.
Monday, Sept. 11
St. Charles 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony: 7:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 11, outside at the fire department memorial, 2 E. Main St., St. Charles. The ceremony includes posting the Fire Department Memorial Flag, placing the memorial wreath and observing a moment of silence. stcharlesil.gov.
Elgin 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony: 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 11, at Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. The program will feature speakers and a performance by the Baptist Providence College Ensemble. cityofelgin.org.
Wednesday, Sept. 13
Elgin American Legion Cruise Night: 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Post 57 home, 820 N. Liberty St., Elgin. Motorcycles, cars, trucks and military vehicles are invited to participate. Food and adult beverages available at the Legion Bar. Sponsored by the American Legion Riders Post 57. facebook.com/ALR57Elgin.
Thursday, Sept. 14
Cruisin’ Lake Zurich Car Show: 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, at Culver’s, 645 N. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Food, raffles and cars of all types. Free. lzacc.com/cruisinlz.
Movie in the Park: Concessions open at 7 p.m. and movie at dusk Thursday, Sept. 14, at Meineke Park, 220 E. Weathersfield Way, Schaumburg. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and watch “Top Gun: Maverick.” Popcorn and snacks for purchase. Free. parkfun.com.
More entertainment opportunities can be found here.
Leave a Reply