The Barrington Hills Observer

By Luke Zurawski

Friday, July 18

Kane County Fair: 3-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 18-19; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 20, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. 4-H show, kids’ events, music, magic show, petting zoo, Swifty Swine Racing Pigs, carnival rides, a car show Saturday and Sunday, a livestock auction at 1 p.m. Sunday and more. Grandstand shows: Professional Championship Bullriders and Cowgirls at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Demolition Derby ($10) at 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday. Miller Lite Sound Stage: Eric Chesser at 7 p.m. Thursday; Tripping Billies at 7:30 p.m. Friday; Hillbilly Rockstarz at 8:30 p.m. Saturday; and How Rude Band at 6 p.m. Sunday. Cash admission at the gate: $5 Wednesday and Thursday; $10 adults, $5 for kids 3-12 Friday through Sunday; and free for kids younger than 3. Seniors older than 62 and military with ID admitted for free after 5 p.m. Thursday. Season pass $25. Free parking. kanecountyfair.com.

Vernon Hills Days: 6-10 p.m. Friday, July 18; 1-10 p.m. Saturday, July 19; and 1-7 p.m. Sunday, July 20, in Century Park, 1001 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills. Carnival, bags tournament, kids’ events and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Thursday. Lineup: Thursday: Too Hype Crew at 7 p.m.; Friday: Starlight City at 7 p.m. and Switchfoot at 9 p.m.; Saturday: Heart to Heartbreaker at 7 p.m. and Tommy DeCarlo at 9 p.m.; and Sunday: Modern Day Romeos at 6 p.m. vhdays.com.

McHenry Fiesta Days: Various times Thursday through Sunday, July 18-20, in McHenry. Food, live music and entertainment. Events are in Veterans Memorial Park and downtown McHenry. Concert in the park, Art & Street Fair and Art in the Park. Fiesta Days Parade is at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Most events are free. mchenryfiestadays.com

Chicago Grit: Various times Friday, July 18, through Sunday, July 27. Formerly known as Intelligentsia Cup, the 10-day criterium race series takes place across the suburbs. July 18: West Dundee River Challenge; July 19: Tour of Lake Ellyn; July 20: Winfield Criterium and Summerfest; July 21: Mundelein Grand Prix; July 22: Lombard Cycling Classic; July 23: Cycle Brookfield Criterium; July 24: Northbrook Grand Prix; July 25: Elgin Classic; July 26: Lake Bluff Criterium; and July 27: Fulton Market Grand Prix. chicago-grit.com

National Gathering of American Indian Veterans: 4-8 p.m. Friday, July 18, and 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at Trickster Cultural Center, 190 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Honors veterans and military personnel of all cultures, eras and branches in a Native way. Free. Register: tricksterculturalcenter.org

West Dundee French Market: 4-8 p.m. Friday, July 18, at The Pump House, 98 Oregon Ave., West Dundee. A mixed market offering fresh produce, honey, greens, soaps, breads, cheeses, flowers, artwork, wearables and other products. wdundee.org.

Fridays Rock! & Roll in Meadows Concert Series: 6-10 p.m. Friday, July 18, at Kimball Hill Park, 3266 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. Electric Dawn and Wedding Banned will perform. Free. cityrm.org

Huntley Movie in the Park: 6 p.m. Friday, July 18, at Parisek Park, 10881 Allegheny Pass, Huntley. “Inside Out 2” begins at dusk. Food trucks at 6 p.m. Bring blankets and chairs. Free. huntley.il.us.

Roaring Nights: 6-10 p.m. Friday, July 18, at Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Third Eye Blind will perform. $85, $75 for members, $15 for kids 11 and younger. Parking fee applies. brookfieldzoo.org.

Lake Zurich Alpine Fest: 6-11 p.m. Friday, July 18; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 19; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 20. Food, rides, games, live music and more. Music lineup: Deja Vu at 6 p.m. and Mike & Joe at 9 p.m. Friday; EVO at 6 p.m. and ARRA at 8:30 p.m. Saturday; and Hillbilly Rockstarz at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Parade at 11 a.m. Sunday. Free admission. lzlions.com.

First Friday Summer Dances: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, July 18, 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

Hawthorn Woods Concerts in the Park: 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, July 18, at Hawthorn Woods Community Park, 5 Park View Lane, Hawthorn Woods. Grey Matter will perform. Free. vhw.org.

Sounds of Summer Concert Series — Main Stage Concerts: 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 18, at Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, 256 E. Palatine Road, Palatine. The Simple Remedy will perform. Free. palatineparks.org/sounds-of-summer

Elgin Summer Movie in the Park: Dusk Friday, July 18, at Century Oaks Park, 1300 N. McLean Blvd., Elgin. Craft memory necklaces and face painting before “Inside Out 2” at dusk. Concessions from local nonprofits. Free. elginil.gov.

Saturday, July 19

Day Out With Thomas: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 19-20, at the Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, Union. A 20-minute train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine and, for an additional fee, a ride with Percy, live entertainment, pop-up gift shop, family play zones and more. $24.85-$28.85. ticketwebdowt.com.

A Walk in The Shire: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at Spring Lake Park, 49 Oxford Drive, Lincolnshire. Lincolnshire Garden Club’s third annual garden walk will showcase five gardens. In addition, each location will have its own featured artist. Start at Spring Lake Park, 49 Oxford Drive, Lincolnshire, to pick up a brochure with addresses and descriptions. For those 12 and older. Tickets prior to July 19 are $20. Tickets can be purchased for $25 at Spring Lake Park, 49 Oxford Drive, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. July 19. For advance tickets, visit lincolnshiregardenclub.com/garden-walk.

Cactus & Succulent Society of Greater Chicago Show & Sale: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 19-20, in the Burnstein Hall at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Regenstein Center, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. A show and sale featuring exotic and unusual plants. Society members will be on-hand to answer questions and offer advice on proper plant care. Cash is preferred. Included in general admission. facebook.com/cssgc.

Mariachi concert: 2-3 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at Lords Park Zoo, 325 Hiawatha Drive, Elgin. All-ages concert featuring the Felipe Mendoza Band. elginil.gov

Bluesmobile Cruise Nights: 3-8 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at the East Metra parking lot, near the intersection of Maple and Northwest Highway, Mount Prospect. Classic cars, entertainment and more. mplions.org/cruise-nights.

Live Music at Bridges Beer Garden: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at Bridges Beer Garden, 1400 Poplar Creek Drive, Hoffman Estates. LakeSide City will perform. Food and beverages for purchase. Free. heparks.org/events/list.

Bags, Brew and BBQ: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at Wilder Park, 175 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. Game night featuring bags and yard games for 21 and older. Food trucks: Aunt Tina’s Sound Bites, Dave’s Holy Smokes BBQ, Flyin’ Hawaiian and Serna’s Grill. Free. epd.org.

Elgin Movie on the Lawn: 6 p.m. Saturday, July 19, on the Hemmens south lawn, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. “Ghostbusters” and “Ghostbusters II.” Photo ops with movie props and characters before the show, plus a food truck and cash bar. Bring chairs and blankets. Movies include Spanish subtitles. elginil.gov/2620/Movies-on-the-Lawn.

Morton Arboretum walking play “Pride and Prejudice”: 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 19-20, starting at Thornhill Shelter at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. A walk leader guides the audience to each scene, which takes place at several natural backdrop locations along a one- to two-mile hiking route. Bring water and portable chairs or blankets for seating. mortonarb.org/explore/activities/events/walking-plays.

Summer Breeze Concert Series: 7 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. SWAK, Sealed With A Kiss, will perform. Free. parkfun.com.

Rotaryfest Fireworks: 9 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at Rotary Green, 164 Lions Drive, Elk Grove Village. elkgroverotaryfest.com.

Navy Pier Summer Fireworks: 10 p.m. Saturday, July 19, and 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Fireworks display set to popular and special occasion soundtracks. Free. navypier.org/summer-fireworks.

Sunday, July 20

Crystal Lake Farmers Market+ At The Dole: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 20, on the front lawn of the Dole Mansion, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Live music, kids’ activities, beverages, food trucks and more. farmersmarketatthedole.org.

Fiesta Days Parade: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 20, in McHenry. The parade will be traveling east on Main Street to Green Street (left on Green) to Pearl Street (right on Pearl) to Riverside Drive (left on Riverside) to Washington Street. mchenrychamber.com.

Wheeling’s Sounds of Summer Concert Series: 5-6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 20, at Heritage Park Performance Pavilion, 201 Community Blvd., Wheeling. Hokulea Academy of Polynesian Arts will perform. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Coolers are allowed; no outside alcohol permitted. Soft drinks, water, beer and seltzer for purchase. Free. wheelingparkdistrict.com.

Monday, July 21

Museum Maker Monday: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, July 21, at the Elmhurst History Museum, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst. Drop in on a day typically closed to the public. Elementary-age kids and caregivers can explore exhibits, play games and complete a craft (while supplies last). No registration required. Free. elmhursthistory.org.

Side Street Studio Arts “Art for Children”: Noon to 1 p.m. Monday, July 21, at Lords Park Zoo, 325 Hiawatha Drive, Elgin. Kids 4-7 can make art inspired by the animals and plants in Tefft Farm. elginil.gov

Motor Monday Cruise Nights: 5 p.m. to dusk Monday, July 21, at The Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee. In partnership with the Midwest Racing Preservation Association, open to cars and trucks from all makes and models. Also, food, drink and music. eastdundee.net.

Dive-In Movie: 7:30-10 p.m. Monday, July 21, at Sunburst Bay Aquatic Center, 1201 N. First St., Cary. Float in the pool while watching “Moana 2.” Preregistration recommended. $20. Register: carypark.com

Tuesday, July 22

Sounds of Summer Family Picnic Series: Noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, at the Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, 256 E. Palatine Road, Palatine. Entertainment by Todd Downing: Tall Tales and Silly Songs. Free. palatineparks.org/sounds-of-summer

Concerts in the Plaza: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, at Independence Grove, 16400 W. Buckley Road, Libertyville. Peach Jam will perform. $10 vehicle entrance fee starting at 4:30 p.m. lcfpd.org/things-to-do/concerts.

Crystal Lake Concerts in the Park: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, at Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake. The Jolly Ringwalds will perform, with openers NISRA Kingpins at 6 p.m. Free. For parking locations, see crystallakeparks.org/special-events.

Dundee Township Concerts in the Park: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, at Carpenter Park in Carpentersville. Illinois Brass Band will perform. Free. dtpd.org/concerts-in-the-park

Huntley Concerts on the Square: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, at Huntley Town Square on Coral Street, Huntley. American English will perform. Bring personal care products or paper goods to benefit Grafton Food Pantry. Free. huntley.il.us

Mid-Summer Classics Concert Series: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, at Village Green, 901 Wellington Ave., Elk Grove Village. Scotty McCreery will perform. Free. elkgrove.org

Wednesday, July 23

Elmhurst’s Party in the Park: 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, July 23, at Butterfield Park, Elmhurst. Kids can have old-fashioned fun with bubbles, hula hoops, jump ropes and more. Free. epd.org.

Algonquin Lunchapalooza Concert Series: 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, July 23, at Towne Park, 100 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Entertainment by Todd Downing: Tall Tales & Silly Songs. Free. algonquin.org

Lake County Fair: Noon to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, July 23-24; noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 25-26; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Rides, food, live music, motocross, monster trucks, demolition derby, bull riding and more. Music lineup: Wednesday: Operation Glow: Taylor Swift at 8 p.m.; Thursday: The Dixon Bandits at 5 p.m. and Brass From The Past at 8 p.m.; Friday: Second Hand Soul at 6 p.m. and Hi Infidelity at 9 p.m.; Saturday: GooRoos at 9 p.m. and No Limit at 9 p.m.; and Sunday: Chicago Latin Groove at 5 p.m. and Classical Blast at 5:30 p.m. $15, $5 for kids 6-12 and 65 and older for one day, $55/$20 for a season pass, free for kids 5 and younger and active military, veterans and dependents with ID. lcfair.com/2025.

UnPlug at the Park: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, at Chamber Park, Wheeling. Istvan & His Imaginary Band will perform. Free. wheelingparkdistrict.com.

Arbor Evenings: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, at Morton Arboretum’s Frost Hill, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Music, lawn games, food and drinks. Strung Out will perform. $15 for ages 13 and older, $5 for kids 4-12. Advance tickets required: mortonarb.org

Wickstrom Lincoln Concert Series: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, at the Arboretum of South Barrington, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Pino Farina Band will perform. Food for purchase. Free. shopthearb.com.

Arbortheater Concerts: 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, at the Memorial Arbortheater, 50 S. Fairway Drive, Vernon Hills. Wild Daisy will perform. Free. vernonhills.org.

Thursday, July 24

Daley Plaza Farmers Markets: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St., Chicago. Dozens of local merchants offering fresh produce and prepared food, flowers and garden plants, handcrafted merchandise and locally sourced goods. chicago.gov

DuPage County Fair: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 24; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, July 25; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 26; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Entertainment, animals, food, exhibits, carnival rides and more. Drone light shows at 9:30 p.m. Thursday and 10:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Music lineup: Sammy and The Knights at 7 p.m. Thursday; Two Beer Tommy at 8 p.m. Friday; Michael Lynch Music at 8 p.m. Saturday; and Thankful Dead at 5 p.m. Sunday. $12 for 13 and older; $8 for 62 and older and kids 6-12; and free for kids 5 and younger and active military with ID. Enter at County Farm Road and the main entrance. dupagecountyfair.org.

Barrington Thursday Night Out: 4-8 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Cook and Station streets, Barrington. Barrington Farmers Market, classic cars, live music, family activities and more. Free. barrington-il.gov/events/thursday-night-out

Geneva Classic Car Show: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at the Kane County Courthouse, off Fourth and James streets, Geneva. Music, food and vote for your favorite make and model. To display your vehicle: Show up after 4:30 p.m. and find a spot in the lot behind the courthouse. Free. genevachamber.com/events/classic-car-show.

Pearl Street Market + Concert in the Park: 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Veterans Park, 3400 Pearl St., McHenry. Music from McHenry City Band, local vendors and food trucks. Free. facebook.com/pearlstreetmarketmchenry.

Sugar Grove Corn Boil: 5-10 p.m. Thursday, July 24; 5-11 p.m. Friday, July 25; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 26; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at Volunteer Park, Sugar Grove. Opening parade at 5 p.m. Friday down Bastian Drive into the park. Carnival, live music, corn hole tournament, food, drinks, bingo and more. Bob Bohler Memorial Fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. Saturday and car show ($10 per entry) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Free shuttle service at the library and municipal center. sugargrovecornboil.org

Music in the Park: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24, in Covered Bridge Park, next to 445 Robert Parker Coffin Road, Long Grove. Big Sky Acoustic Duo will perform. Free. longgrove.org/event/music-in-the-park.

Thirsty Thursdays: 6-9 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at the Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee. Sparks Fly — The Taylor Swift Experience will perform. Food and craft beverages. Bring a lawn chair. Free. eastdundee.net.

Buffalo Grove Park District Summer Concert Series: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Mike Rylko Community Park Amphitheater, 1000 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove. ARRA will perform. Food, beer, wine and soft drinks for purchase. No outside alcohol allowed. Bring blankets and chairs. Free. bgparks.org/summer-concert-series

Canine Carnival: 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, 256 E. Palatine Road, Palatine. Activities for dogs and their owners including games and a vendor area. $10 for one person and one dog, $1 for each additional person (or those without dogs). Registration required. palatineparks.org.

Elmhurst Music at the Gazebo: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Wild Meadows Trace, Prairie Path and Spring Road, Elmhurst. Livestream will perform. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Free. springroad.com/our-events.

Sounds of Summer — Thursday Night Acoustic Series: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Towne Square, 150 W. Palatine Road, Palatine. Colte Julian will perform. Free. palatineparks.org/sounds-of-summer.

Thursday Nights Live: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Wheeling Town Center, 351 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling. Hurricane Reggae Band will perform in the plaza. Food and beverage options. Free. thewheelingtowncenter.com/events.

Algonquin Summer Concert Series: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Towne Park, 100 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Semple Band will perform. Food trucks at 6 p.m. Bring a lawn chair. Algonquin.org/summerconcerts.

Elgin’s Concerts in the Park: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Wing Park, 1010 Wing St., Elgin. Libido Funk Circus will perform. Food truck. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. In case of bad weather, the event will be canceled. Free. elginil.gov or facebook.com/cityofelgin.

Rockin’ in the Park Summer Concert Series: 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 24-25, at Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. New World Men will perform Thursday culminating with a musical fireworks display; Boy Band Night & Semple Band will perform Friday. Free. rosemont.com/thepark/calendar.

Sounds of Summer Concert Series: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Harmony Park, 7 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. The Throwbacks will perform. Free. vah.com/explore/sounds_of_summer_concerts.php.

Summer Sounds on the Green Concert Series: 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Village Green, 5510 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. Tennessee Whiskey will perform. Food and beverages for sale. Free. hoffmanestatesarts.com/summer-concert-series

Ongoing

Bristol Renaissance Faire: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 1, off I-94 at the Illinois/Wisconsin border, 12550 120th Ave., Kenosha. Travel back in time for 30 acres of jousting, arts and crafts, food, music, dance, rides, games, entertainers and more. $40, $15 for kids 5-12, and free for kids 4 and younger. renfair.com/bristol.

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