The Barrington Hills Observer

Duke’s Blues Festival to benefit Taste the Love NFP June 27th – 29th, 2025| Courtesy Duke’s Blues N BBQ

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Friday, June 27

Duke’s Blues-N-BBQ Festival: 5-11 p.m. Friday, June 27, and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at Carpenter Park, 300 Carpenter Blvd., Carpentersville. Blues bands and Southern vendors. Free. facebook.com/DukesBluesNbbq.

Wauconda Fest: 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, June 27; noon to midnight Saturday, June 28; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, June 29, at Cook Park, 600 N. Main St., Wauconda. Carnival rides, live entertainment, bags tournament, craft show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, car show and more. Lineup: Friday: Don’t Rock the Jukebox at 7 p.m. and 7th heaven at 9:30 p.m.; Saturday: Oh YES! at 7 p.m. and Hello Weekend at 9:30 p.m.; and Sunday: Roger That at 5 p.m. and Breakfast Club at 7 p.m. Admission $5. waucondaparks.com/wauconda-fest.

Fun Day In The Park: 10-11 a.m. Friday, June 27, at Fabbrini Park, 1704 Glenlake Road, Hoffman Estates. Kids’ entertainment with JG’s Reptile Road Show. Free. heparks.org.

Tots in the Park: 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 27, at the Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive, Buffalo Grove. Miss Jamie’s Farm will perform on the lawn. Bring a blanket or chairs. Free. bgparks.org/tots-in-the-park.

Strawberry Fest: Noon to 11 p.m. Friday, June 27; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 28; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 29, near 145 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Three days of strawberry-infused food and drinks, family activities, entertainment and more. Music lineup: Friday: Petty Kings: Tribute to Tom Petty at 6:30 p.m. and Kashmir (Led Zeppelin tribute) at 9 p.m.; Saturday: Funky Monks: Tribute to RHCP at 8 p.m. and Too Fighters: Tribute to Foo Fighters at 9:30 p.m.; and Sunday: Dancing Queen: ABBA Salute at 4 p.m. $7. longgrove.org/festival/strawberry-fest.

Downtown Elgin Market: 3-7 p.m. Friday, June 27, on South Riverside Drive, Elgin. Farmers, makers, live music, Sip N’ Shop and kids’ activities. Dog-friendly. LINK Matching program. Free. downtownelgin.com/market.

West Dundee French Market: 4-8 p.m. Friday, June 27, at The Pump House, 98 Oregon Ave., West Dundee. A mixed market offering fresh produce, honey, greens, soaps, breads, cheeses, flowers, artwork, wearables and more. Free. wdundee.org.

First Friday Summer Dances: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, June 27, at Schaumburg’s Towne Square, 200 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Dance lessons by Schaumburg Arthur Murray Dance Studio from 6:30-7:30 p.m.; live music and dancing from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Free. parkfun.com.

Sounds of Summer Concert Series — Main Stage Concerts: 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 27, at Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, 256 E. Palatine Road, Palatine. The Wayouts will perform. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Free. palatineparks.org/sounds-of-summer.

Elgin Summer Movie in the Park: Dusk Friday, June 27, at Mulberry Grove Park, 1770 Newbridge Circle, Elgin. Craft robots from recycled treasures and make flower crowns before “The Wild Robot” screens at dusk. Concessions for purchase. Free. elginil.gov.

Saturday, June 28

Stars & Stripes Half Marathon, 10K and 5K: 7:30 a.m. Saturday, June 28, at Bell Works, 2000 Center Drive, Hoffman Estates. Packet pickup from 6:15-7:15 a.m. Kids Dash at 9 a.m. Registration starts at $109.99 for half marathon, $54.99 for 10K, $44.99 for 5K. $12.99 for 5K Kids Fun Run. allcommunityevents.com/starsandstripesrun.

Jen Kalmus of Round Lake cheers as she makes her final approach toward the finish line during last year’s Rock ’n’ Run the runway 5K race at Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling. This year’s race is at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 28. | Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com, 2024

Rock ’n’ Run the Runway: 8 a.m. and 6-10:30 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at Chicago Executive Airport, 1080 S. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling. 5K run and 1-mile walk at 8 a.m. Return at 6 p.m. for food trucks, beer and wine, and live music by Wildfire at 6 p.m. and 7th heaven at 8:15 p.m., and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Free admission. rocknruntherunway.com.

Carpentersville Independence Day Parade: 10 a.m. Saturday, June 28, at Carpenter Park, 275 Maple Ave., Carpentersville. Annual parade starts at South Lincoln Avenue and Main Street, continues east on Main, south on Washington Avenue to Spring Street, and east on Spring to Carpenter Park. Free. cville.org.

Celebrate Fox Lake: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at Lakefront Park, 71 Nippersink Blvd., Fox Lake. Car show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., a parade at 10 a.m., live music, food and drinks from 3-10 p.m. and fireworks at dusk. Free. (224) 225-1404 or foxlake.org.

Uncaged in the Zoo: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at Lords Park Zoo, off Grand Boulevard, Elgin. Scales & Tales Traveling Zoo featuring Xena the Sloth. Free. elginil.gov.

American Radio Relay League 2025 Field Day: 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 28-29, at 3208 Bay Road, Crystal Lake. 415 Amateur Radio Club of Crystal Lake hosts its eighth annual demonstration of amateur “ham” radio, where multiple radio stations will be operating. Observe a variety of communications using voice, Morse code and digital techniques. Free. the415arc.com.

Yappy Hour at Bridges Beer Garden: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at Bridges Beer Garden, 1400 Poplar Creek Drive, Hoffman Estates. Live music, games, auction and raffles. Benefiting Midwest Australian Shepard Rescue. Free. heparks.org.

“A Chicago Trilogy”: 3 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at the Performing Arts Center at Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Building R, Palatine. Composer Dr. Michael Karasis presents his “A Chicago Trilogy” featuring Katherine Petersen, solo soprano and piano, with the Chicago Trilogy Orchestra. Also on the program will be Karasis’ Fugue for Orchestra. $25. jamieoreilly.com/events/gig-17604.

Stars ‘N Stripes Fest: 3 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at Cary-Grove Park, Three Oaks Road and North First Street, Cary. Food trucks, adult beverages, kids’ inflatables and activities, music from Modern Day Romeos at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks at dusk. Free admission; parking $20 per vehicle. Swimming at Sunburst Bay Aquatic Center: $10 for Sunburst Bay members and $15 for nonmembers. carypark.com

Dundee Township fireworks: 6-10 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at Meadowdale Park, Besinger Drive and Maple Avenue, Carpentersville. Entertainment, food vendors and visit with community partners from 6-9 p.m., with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Fireworks may begin 30 minutes earlier or later depending on weather conditions. Rain date: June 29. Free. dtpd.org.

“Mamma Mia!” Sing-Along: 7 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Watch the movie starring Meryl Streep and sing along. Free. rauecenter.org

Sunday, June 29

Calibre Car Show: 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, June 29, at The Arboretum of South Barrington, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Car show with the theme J-LIGN Cars and Coffee. Free. shopthearb.com/events.

Slammedenuff Chicago Car Show: 1-6 p.m. Sunday, June 29, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Indoor and outdoor car show with competitive awards and car meet. Tickets start at $30. slammedenuff.com

Monday, June 30

Northwest Concert Band: 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 30, at the Community Church of Rolling Meadows, 2720 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. “Patriots and Heroes” concert featuring patriotic pieces such as the “Armed Forces Salute,” “Stars and Stripes Forever” and “Amber Waves of Grain.” Free. northwestconcertband.org

Tuesday, July 1

Crystal Lake Concerts in the Park: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, at Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake. Voices in Harmony will perform. Free. For parking locations, see crystallakeparks.org/special-events.

Dundee Township Concerts in the Park: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, at Lions Park in East Dundee. Latin Swing Factor will perform, with salsa lessons before the show. Food and drinks sold by Dundee Township Lions Club, with proceeds benefiting the community. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Co-sponsored by the villages of Carpentersville, East Dundee, Sleepy Hollow and West Dundee. Free. dtpd.org/concerts-in-the-park

Huntley Concerts on the Square: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, at Huntley Town Square on Coral Street, Huntley. ARRA will perform. Bring personal care products or paper goods to benefit Grafton Food Pantry. Free. huntley.il.us

Wednesday, July 2

Members of the Rolling Meadows High School Marching Band perform during last year’s Frontier Days Fourth of July Parade in Arlington Heights. | Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com, July 4, 2024

Frontier Days Festival: 5-11 p.m. Wednesday, July 2; 5 p.m. to midnight Thursday, July 3; noon to midnight Friday and Saturday, July 4-5; and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 6, at Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights. Carnival, Fourth of July parade, entertainment, food, soccer 3v3, Stampede Run/Walk, marketplace, family activities and more. Music: 7th heaven at 8 p.m. Wednesday; Dishwalla at 8 p.m. Thursday; BoDeans at 8 p.m. Friday, July 4; Bruce In The USA at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 5; and American English at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 6. Free. frontierdays.org

Frontier Days returns Wednesday through Sunday, July 2-6, to Recreation Park in Arlington Heights. | Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com, 2017

Northwest Fourth-Fest: 5-11 p.m. Wednesday, July 2; noon to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, July 3-5; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 6, at 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. Carnival, live entertainment, parade at 9 a.m. Friday, fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Kids’ Zone, bingo, food vendors and more. Main stage entertainment includes Run Forrest Run at 5:30 p.m. and Modern Day Romeos at 8:30 and 10 p.m. Friday, and David’s House at 5:30 p.m. and 7th heaven at 8:30 and 10 p.m. Saturday. Free. northwestfourthfest.com

The Palatine Jaycees Fourth of July Hometown Fest runs Wednesday through Sunday, July 2-6, at Palatine’s Community Park. | Courtesy of Palatine Jaycees

Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest: 5-10 p.m. Wednesday, July 2; 5 p.m. to midnight Thursday, July 3; noon to midnight Friday and Saturday, July 4-5; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 6, at Palatine Community Park, 250 E. Wood St., Palatine. Fireworks at dusk Thursday, carnival, music, food vendors, parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, craft and business expo Saturday and Sunday and more. Music lineup: Thursday: Bucket Number Six at 7 p.m. and Too Much Molly at 10 p.m.; Friday: Marina City at 7:30 p.m. and Boy Band Review at 10 p.m.; Saturday: Whiskey Road at 7:30 p.m. and iPop at 10 p.m. Free. hometown-fest.com

Mount Prospect Lions Club Fourth of July Festival: 6-11 p.m. Wednesday, July 2; 1-11 p.m. Thursday, July 3; 6-11 p.m. Friday, July 4; and 1-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 5-6, at Melas Park, 1500 W. Central Road, Mount Prospect. Food, beer, live entertainment, carnival and more. Fireworks at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday and 9 p.m. Friday. Music lineup: Wednesday: Sealed with a Kiss at 7:30 p.m. and Hairbangers Ball at 9:15 and 9:45 p.m.; Thursday: Petty Union at 7:30 p.m. and One of These Nights at 9:15 p.m.; Friday: The Mix at 8:30 and 10 p.m.; Saturday: One of the Boyzz at 7:30 p.m. and Infinity at 9 p.m.; Sunday: Rico! at 9:45 p.m. and more. Free admission; ride wristbands available for purchase. mplions.org

Elgin Symphony Orchestra’s Patriotic Brass & Percussion concert: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, at the Robert G. Soule Amphitheater at Citizens Park, 511 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington. Bring a picnic and lawn chairs. Free. elginsymphony.org.

South Elgin Summer Concert Series: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, at Panton Mill Park, 10 N. Water St., South Elgin. The Illinois Army National Guard’s 144th Army Band will perform. Food Truck Wednesdays: 6-8 p.m. Free. southelgin.com/pantonmillpark.

Wickstrom Lincoln Concert Series: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, at the Arboretum of South Barrington, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. One of These Nights will perform. Concessions. Free. shopthearb.com.

John Hopkins Magic Show: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Sleight-of-hand, juggling, ventriloquism, pick-pocketing, audience participation and more. $18.70-$36.55. heynonny.com

Thursday, July 3

Lakeside Festival: Noon to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, July 3-5, and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 6, at The Dole, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Carnival rides, food, beer garden, superhero characters, kids’ decorated bike parade, kids’ ice-cream eating contest, cornhole tournament and more. Note: Cashless payment. $10, $5 for ages 65 and older, free for active military with ID and kids 12 and younger. thedole.org/the-fest.

Mundelein Community Days: Noon to 11 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, July 3-6, in Courtland Commons Park, at the corner of Seymour and Courtland, Mundelein. Carnival, Freedom Classic 5K at 8 a.m. Friday, fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Friday, parade at 1 p.m. Sunday, food, music, games, contests, demonstrations, displays and more. Music lineup: Thursday: 7th heaven at 8:30 p.m.; Friday: Mackenzie O’Brien at 8:30 p.m.; Saturday: The Disco Circus at 8:30 p.m.; and Sunday: Blooze Brothers at 6:30 p.m. Free. mundelein.org/200/Mundelein-Community-Days-2025

Bartlett Fourth of July Festival: 3-11 p.m. Thursday, July 3; noon to 11 p.m. Friday, July 4; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 5; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 6, at the Bartlett Community Center, 700 S. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Live entertainment, fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Friday, parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, food vendors, carnival and more. Carnival hours for those with special needs from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday. Music: Thursday: Anthem at 9 p.m.; Friday: Libido Funk Circus at 8 p.m. and Disco Circus at 9:45 p.m.; Saturday: Smokin’ Gunz at 9 p.m.; and Sunday: Modern Day Romeos at 4:30 p.m. and 7th heaven at 7 p.m. Free. bartlett4thofjuly.com.

Hawthorn Woods Fireworks: 3 p.m. Thursday, July 3, at Hawthorn Woods Community Park, 5 Park View Lane, Hawthorn Woods. Food vendors open at 5 p.m. Live music by No Limit at 6 p.m. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Free. vhw.org/4thofJuly.

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