The Barrington Hills Observer

Riders take a spin on the carnival rides during a previous Buffalo Grove Days. This year’s fest runs through Monday, Sept. 1, at Mike Rylko Community Park in Buffalo Grove. | Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com, 2022

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Starts before Friday

Buffalo Grove Days: 5-10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28; 5-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29; 10:45 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31; and 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1, at Mike Rylko Community Park, Buffalo Grove. Carnival, live entertainment, bingo, blood drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, craft fair and business expo from 5-10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, parade at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, kids’ entertainment, Buddy Baseball, Rotary Duck Race at 5:15 p.m. Sunday and more. Music lineup: Friday: Hi Infidelity at 6 p.m. and 90s Pop Nation at 8:30 p.m.; Saturday: 7th heaven at 3:30 p.m., LP Vinyl Escape at 6 p.m. and Dancing Queen at 8:30 p.m.; Sunday: Fearless at 3:30 p.m., Beyond the Blond at 6 p.m. and Mike & Joe at 8:30 p.m.; Monday: Blackberry Jam at noon. Free. bgdays.com.

Rockin’ in the Park Summer Concert Series: 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Aug. 28-29, at Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press will perform Thursday, culminating with a musical fireworks display. Bee Gees Gold & The Wayouts will perform Friday. Free. rosemont.com/thepark/calendar

Chicago Jazz Festival: Various times Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 28-31, at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park and various locations in Chicago. Hear all forms of jazz from local, national and international artists. Headliners at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion include Friday: Patricia Barber at 6:10 p.m. and Monty Alexander at 7:45 p.m.; Saturday: Kermit Ruffins & the Barbeque Swingers at 7:45 p.m.; Sunday: Eliadas Ochoa at 7:45 p.m. Free. For a schedule, visit chicago.gov.

Friday, Aug. 29

Downtown Elgin Market: 3-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, on South Riverside Drive, Elgin. Farmers, makers, live music, Sip N’ Shop, kids’ activities. Dog-friendly. LINK Matching program. downtownelgin.com/market.

Battle of the Bands: 5-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Shell at Reed-Keppler Park, 832 Arbor Ave., West Chicago. Local bands compete for the title of 2025 WeGo Rockstar. Finalists will compete, with the winner announced Saturday night. Music from Serendipity on Saturday. Food trucks, drinks and bounce houses. we-goparks.org.

Classic rock cover band ARRA will headline the Lake in the Hills Summer Sunset Festival Sunday, Aug. 31. | Courtesy of ARRA

Lake in the Hills Summer Sunset Festival: 5-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 30-31, at Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills. Carnival, food and beer tents, live music, craft fair, car show, wine tasting and kids’ activities. Classic/custom car show from 5-9 p.m. Friday at Sunset Skate Park. Parade steps off at 11 a.m. Saturday at Sunset Skate Park, heading along Haligus to Miller Road, right on Miller to Sunset Park. On Saturday, community picnic from noon to 2:30 p.m. On Sunday, Sunset Market featuring local artisans, crafters and businesses from noon to 7 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Music lineup: Friday: MDR at 8 p.m.; Saturday: Dueling Pianos at 1:30 p.m., No Turn on Red at 4 p.m., The Jolly Ringwalds at 6:30 p.m. and Disco Circus at 9 p.m.; and Sunday: PriSSillas at 3 p.m., Kickin’ It With Carol line dancing lessons at 4:30 p.m., In the Stix at 5:30 p.m. and ARRA at 8 p.m. Free. summersunsetfest.com.

Meet On Main Street Business & Craft Fair: 5-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 30-31, at Mike Rylko Community Park, 951 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. Local businesses and crafters will be selling a variety of items. Free. bgdays.com/activities.

Janus Theatre Company’s “School For Lies”: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 29-30, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., Elgin. David Ive’s comedy transforms Molière’s 17th-century classic “The Misanthrope” into a satire written in witty couplets with physical comedy. $25. janusplays.com

Saturday, Aug. 30

The Bristol Renaissance Faire ends its season this weekend. | Courtesy of the Bristol Renaissance Faire

Bristol Renaissance Faire: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, through Monday, 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.

Septemberfest: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 30-31, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1, at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Entertainment, Taste of Schaumburg from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, carnival, arts and crafts show and more. Music lineup: Saturday: Semple at 6:30 p.m. and Danny Seraphine & CTA at 8:30 p.m.; Sunday: Hairbangers Ball at 6:30 p.m. and Cinderella’s Tom Keifer at 8:30 p.m.; Monday: Just Like Pink! at 1:30 p.m., Foo Fighters Experience at 5:30 p.m. and Sister Hazel at 7:30 p.m. Free. villageofschaumburg.com.

Long Grove Irish Days features Irish music and more Saturday through Monday, Aug. 30 to Sept. 1. | Courtesy of Long Grove Irish Days

Long Grove Irish Days: 10:45 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30; 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31; and 10:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1, in downtown Long Grove. The celebration of Irish culture, music, food and drinks includes dog contests, Men’s Best Legs in a Kilt contest, live music, food vendors, Irish dance groups and the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band. Free. longgrove.org/festival/irish-days

Lake in the Hills Summer Sunset Parade: 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, in Lake in the Hills. Steps off from Sunset Skate Park and heads along Haligus to Miller Road, right on Miller to Sunset Park. summersunsetfest.com/parade.

Buffalo Grove Days Parade: 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, in Buffalo Grove. Heads south on Buffalo Grove Road (from Thompson), west on Deerfield Parkway, ending at Mike Rylko Community Park, 1000 N. Buffalo Grove Road. Free. bgdays.com

Taste of Serbia Food & Music Festival: Noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 30-31, at St. Basil Serbian Orthodox Church, 27450 N. Bradley, Lake Forest. Traditional Serbian food and entertainment. $5 per car. tasteofserbia.org.

Love On the Lawn Festival: 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave., Elgin. Food, vendors, kids’ corner, and DJs featuring Kid Capri, Sundance, DJ Slugo, Rod Boogie and DJ CZR. $33.39-$52.24. Tickets: lotlfest.com.

Wauconda Street Dance: 5-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, in Wauconda. Annual dance party with bands (Bluewater Creek, Big Boss & The Toes, Wichita Jacks, and Glory Days) on two stages, line-dancing lessons by Kickin’ It With Carol, food, drinks and more. The Lounge Puppets headline at 9 p.m. The bags tournament starts at 6 p.m. Free; wristbands for adult beverages: $5. waucondachamber.org.

Navy Pier Summer Fireworks: 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Fireworks display set to popular music. Free. navypier.org/summer-fireworks.

Sunday, Aug. 31

Fifth Third Bike The Drive: 6:30-10:30 a.m. ride; 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. festival Sunday, Aug. 31, at Butler Field in Grant Park, 235 S. Columbus Drive, Chicago. 24th annual event hosted by Active Transportation Alliance. The 30-mile course along DuSable Lake Shore Drive is family-friendly and for all abilities. Ride as little or as much of the course as you’d like, then enjoy a post-ride festival in Grant Park, which includes live music, beer and kids’ activities. Tickets: $74, $18 for kids 17 and younger. Register at bikethedrive.org.

Bennet Taft Wiffle Ball Classic: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at the baseball fields, 650 N. Rohlwing Road, Itasca. Third annual charity tournament for all ages benefiting the BT8 Foundation, with proceeds going toward awarding a high school scholarship, helping the food pantry and other community needs. $100 per team of four. Register at bt8foundation.org/register-for-the-bennet-classic.

Elmhurst French Market: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, in a city parking lot at Park and Prospect avenues, Elmhurst. European-style market. bensidounusa.com/elmhurst.

Paws in the Park Dog Walk: 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, Aug. 31, at Melas Park, 1500 W. Central Road, Mount Prospect. All dogs are welcome; dogs must be leashed and current on vaccinations (proof of rabies vaccination required). $40; $10 for kids 12 and younger. Registration required. thebuddyfoundation.org.

Bloomingdale Maker’s Market: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, in the parking lot of Old Town, Third and Franklin streets, Bloomingdale. Rain or shine. Features local vendors (home decor, jewelry, blankets, clothes and more), entertainment, food trucks and more. facebook.com/thebloomingdalemakersmarket.

Crystal Lake Farmers Market+ At The Dole: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, 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.

The Illinois Mycological Association Mushroom Show & Sale returns Sunday, Aug. 31, to the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. | Courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden

Illinois Mycological Association Display & Sale: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at Chicago Botanic Garden’s Linnaeus Room and Design Studio, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. See 50 to 100 varieties of mushrooms foraged from area forests in the days prior to the show. Members will answer questions regarding mushrooms and fungi. Mushroom-related books, T-shirts and other items for sale. $16.95-$26.95. chicagobotanic.org.

Dog Show: 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at Mike Rylko Community Park, 1000 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove. Amateur dogs can enter events such as best costume, biggest or smallest dog, best groomed, best trick, best treat catcher, best tunnel run and waggiest tail. Prizes and raffles are included. Free; no advance registration required. bgparks.org/dog-show-2.

Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Aug. 31-Sept. 1, at Wheeler Park, 822 N. First St. (Route 31), Geneva. 49th annual festival with six stages of live music and storytelling with 20 featured performers. Hands-on workshops, kids’ zone, arts and crafts vendors and food vendors. Featured performers: John Gorka with Joe Gorka, Katie Dahl, Joe Jencks, Katie Macleod, Joel Mabus, Deidre McCalla, Dennis Stroughmatt et l’espirit Creole, Curtis & Loretta, Tim Grimm with Sergio Webb, Jennifer Munro, Anne Harris with Ernie Hendrickson, Sparky and Rhonda Rucker, Annie Capps Trio, Bobcat Opossum and more. Sunday: Old-fashioned barn dance from 6-7:30 p.m. and “Spine-tingling Tales” at 7:30 p.m. Two-day pass: $60 or $30 for students and seniors; day pass $35 or $20; $80-$140 for a family; free for kids younger than 12. fox-valley-folklore-society.square.site.

‘Cue for a Cause: Noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at York and Vallette streets, Elmhurst. 11th annual fundraising barbecue contest for Elmhurst Walk-in Assistance Network. Food and drink, live music, raffles and entertainment. elmhurstwalkin.org/cue.

Railroad Street Block Party: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at Duke’s Alehouse parking lot, 110 N. Main St., Crystal Lake. Local bands, food from local restaurants, family activities and games for kids. Free. facebook.com/dukesalehouse.

Fiesta Ravinia: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. Celebrating Mexican culture with a day of music, activities, food trucks, pop-up performances and more. Music from La Original Banda El Limón, Como La Flor: The Ultimate Selena Tribute and more. $31-$95. visitchicagonorthshore.com.

Monday, Sept. 1

Schaumburg Septemberfest Labor Day Parade: 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 1, lining up on Wise Road, between Roselle and Plum Grove roads, Schaumburg. Parade travels northbound on Summit Drive toward the festival grounds. Free. villageofschaumburg.com

Wednesday, Sept. 3

South Elgin Summer Concert Series: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, at Panton Mill Park, 10 N. Water St., South Elgin. The Eric Case Band performs Americana, classic country and soulful rock. Free. southelgin.com/pantonmillpark.

Thursday, Sept. 4

South Elgin Lunch Time Concert Series: Noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, at Panton Mill Park, 10 N. Water St., South Elgin. Comstock Lode Band will perform. Free. southelgin.com/pantonmillpark.

“Recognizing the Latina Heritage of Illinois”: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, at Gail Borden Public Library’s Elgin Room, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Lilia Fernandez, history professor at University of Illinois Chicago and author of “Brown in the Windy City: Mexicans and Puerto Ricans in Postwar Chicago,” explores the century-long history of Latinas in Northeastern Illinois. Register: gailborden.info.

Thursday Nights Live: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, at Wheeling Town Center, 351 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling. Louie in the Middle will perform. Food and beverages from local restaurants. Free. thewheelingtowncenter.com/events.

Ongoing

McHenry Stade’s Farm Market: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 31 at 3709 Miller Road, McHenry. Free. stadesfarmandmarket.com.

Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays and Wednesdays, and 2-8 p.m. Thursdays, through Feb. 16, 2026, at the Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County, 1899 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville. A larger-than-life presentation of the work of legendary comic book artist Alex Ross featuring heroes and villains from the Marvel and DC universes. Museum admission $3-$10, exhibit tickets $5-$10, free for kids 3 and younger. LCFPD.org/planyourvisit.

Patterned by Nature: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Sept. 21 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Celebrates the universal attraction to patterns through playfully planted gardens and nature-inspired artistic installations. Admission: $19.95-$21.95 for adults, $13.95-$15.95 for kids 3-12, and free for kids younger than 3. chicagobotanic.org/patterns.

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