By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald
Friday, Aug. 9
Hampshire Coon Creek Country Days: 6-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10; and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, on State Street in downtown Hampshire. Nightly entertainment, carnival, beer garden, food vendors, craft show and more. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Saturday and parade at noon Sunday starting at Washington Avenue and Warner Street and ending at Panama Avenue and Warner Street. Free. hcccd.com.
Fun Day In The Park: 10-11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 9, at Vogelei Park, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Kids’ entertainment features Scribble Monster. Free. heparks.org.
Smoke & Irons Music Fest: 4-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at Apple Orchard Community Park, 620 W. Stearns Road, Bartlett. Live music, food trucks, beer tasting, craft show, bags tournament and more. Proceeds benefit Ignite the Courage, a nonprofit charity organization created and run by Bartlett firefighters, which provides resources and inspiration for community members and local first responders in need. Admission for 21 and older is $10; free for ages 20 and younger. ignitethecourage.org/musicfest.
Irish Fest will take place from 5-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum. | Daily Herald File Photo
Irish Fest: 5-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, at Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. Features Bohola and Classical Blast in Kilts. Food and drinks for purchase. Bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket. No pets. Admission: $5 for adults 18 and older. ahpd.org/events/irish-fest/2024.
Outdoor Movie Nights: 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, at Deer Park Town Center, 20530 N. Rand Road, Deer Park. Preshow activities include face painting, balloon artist, games and more. Movies begin at 7 p.m. See “Moana.” Free. shopdeerparktowncenter.com.
Hawthorn Woods Concerts in the Park: 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, at Hawthorn Woods Community Park, 5 Park View Lane, Hawthorn Woods. John Lambert performs. Free. vhw.org.
Hi Infidelity performs at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, at the Heritage Park Performance Pavilion in Wheeling as part of the Friday Night Headliners Concert Series. | Courtesy of Hi Infidelity
Wheeling’s Friday Night Headliners Concert Series: 7-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, at Heritage Park Performance Pavillion, 201 Community Blvd., Wheeling. Hi Infidelity performs ’80s rock classics. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating. Coolers are allowed; no outside alcohol is permitted. Soft drinks, water, beer and seltzer available for purchase. Free. wheelingparkdistrict.com.
The U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights will perform at the Chicago Air and Water Show Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 10-11, along the lakefront. | Courtesy of the City of Chicago
Saturday, Aug. 10
Chicago Air and Water Show: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 10 and 11, at North Avenue Beach and along the lakefront, Chicago. Includes performances by military planes and civilian aerobatic fliers, headlined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights. Free. chicago.gov.
Raceway 5K/3K Run/Walk: 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at Raceway Woods Forest Preserve, off Route 31, Carpentersville. Proceeds from 10th annual event benefit the charities of the Rotary Club of Carpentersville, including FISH Food Pantry and Operation Warm, which buys new coats for Carpentersville kids in need. $40 through Aug. 9, $45 on race day. Register: carpentersvillerotary.org.
Heritage Fest: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. Celebrates cultural diversity with performances, food for purchase and the opportunity to meet with local cultural organizations. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Presented in partnership with the Arlington Heights Memorial Library and Arlington Heights Park District. No pets. Free. ahpd.org/events/heritage-fest.
Lambs Farm Summertime Craft Fest: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 10-11, at Camp Big Timber, 37W955 Big Timber Road in Elgin. A fundraiser, benefiting Lambs Farm and Three Fires Council, BSA. Features a craft show with 150 booths, food trucks, music, and a beer and wine garden. $7 at the gate, $5 early bird price available through Aug. 9 at tickettailor.com. Visit craftproductionsinc.com.
Printer’s Row Art Fest: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 10-11, at 701 S. Dearborn St., Chicago. Shop from 90 juried artists and artisans, including painters, street artists, jewelers, upcycling artists, artisans of all kinds, photographers, mixed media artists and more. amdurproductions.com/event/printers-row-art-fest.
BBQ, Bands & Brews: 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. Barbecue and beverages for purchase, games and live performances. Entertainment includes Vibe Dance Co., Abby Kay Band and Exit 147 The Band. Free. ahpd.org/events/bbq-bands–brews.
Pairings on the Prairie: 5-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at Merkle Cabin at Spring Valley, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Take a short, winding walk through the woods near Merkle Cabin, where pairing posts will be set up with samples of local craft beers paired with appetizers, small bites and desserts. Park at St. Matthew Parish and follow the signs to Heritage Farm, then follow the signs to Merkle Cabin. For ages 21 and older. $30-$35. Registration required. parkfun.com.
Summer Breeze Concert Series: 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, 101 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Shake Baby Shake will perform. Free. parkfun.com.
Sunday, Aug. 11
Wickstrom Lincoln Concert Series: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, and 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, at the Arboretum of South Barrington, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Performances by Oh Yes! on Sunday and 7th heaven on Wednesday. Food for purchase. Free. shopthearb.com.
Unplugged Fest: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, at Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Free, family-friendly fest created to inspire people to unplug from their electronic devices and engage with one another in new ways. Free. Unpluggedfest.com
Elmhurst French Market: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, in a city parking lot at Park and Prospect avenues, Elmhurst. European-style market. bensidounusa.com/elmhurst.
Vintage Car Show: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, at The Lot, 525 Central Ave., Highland Park. Vintage vehicles on St. Johns Avenue, live music, food and beverages. Cars dating back to 1907 along with the Batmobile. The French Market will be open inside The Lot. Free for spectators. enjoyhighlandpark.com/the-lot.
Wednesday, Aug. 14
Wine Down Wednesdays: 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, at Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee. Stevie McVie, celebrating the music of Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac, will perform. Food and drinks for purchase. Free. eastdundee.net.
Food Truck Socials: 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, at Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. A rotating selection of food trucks will be available each week. lakezurich.org.
Celebrate Highwood’s Garlic Fest returns at Highwood’s Everts Park on Wednesday, Aug. 14. | Courtesy of Celebrate Highwood
Garlic Fest: 4:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, at Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood. Live music, family-friendly activities, and sweet and savory garlic creations, including garlic-infused chocolate, cookies, ice cream, cupcakes, cocktails, pastas, sandwiches, sauces, spreads and more. Free. celebratehighwood.org/garlic-fest.
Thursday, Aug. 15
Barrington Thursday Night Out: 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, at Cook and Station streets in downtown Barrington. Features the Barrington Farmers Market, classic cars, live music, family activities and more. Free. barrington-il.gov/events/thursday-night-out.
Summer Sounds on the Green Concert Series: 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, at Village Green, 5510 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. Heartache Tonight performs. Bring a picnic, coolers, food, drinks, chairs, blankets and small tables. Seating is first-come, first-served. Food and beverages for sale. Free. hoffmanestatesarts.com/summer-concert-series.
Sounds of Summer — Thursday Night Acoustic Series: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, at Towne Square, 150 W. Palatine Road, Palatine. The Messengers will perform. Free. palatineparks.org/sounds-of-summer.
Find much more here.

