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Things to do Sept. 26 to Oct. 2: Long Grove Apple Fest, Huntley Fall Fest, Oktoberfests and more

Posted in Entertainment, Fundraisers, Topics Of Interest on September 25, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Apple doughnuts and apple treats will be plentiful Friday through Sunday, Sept. 26-28, during Long Grove’s Apple Fest. | Daily Herald file photo, 2017

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Friday, Sept. 26

Long Grove Apple Fest: Noon to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at 145 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Apple delicacies, from apple wine to apple tempura. Plus, live music, family activities, a carnival and more. Music lineup: Friday: Rok Brigade (Def Leppard Tribute) from 6:30-8:20 p.m. and Hi Infidelity from 9-11 p.m.; Saturday: Rearview (Pearl Jam Tribute) from 5-6:30 p.m., Whatever, Nevermind (Nirvana Tribute) from 7-8:20 p.m. and 7th heaven from 9-11 p.m.; and Sunday: American English from 4-6 p.m. $7 per day, $15 for a three-day pass, and free for kids 12 and younger free. longgrove.org/festival/apple-fest.

Oktoberfest: 5-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, and 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at The Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee. Scarecrow display, touch-a-truck, inflatables, food, drinks and more. Beer Stein Holding Contest at 7 p.m. Saturday. Music lineup: Friday: Polkaholics at 5 p.m. and George Michael Reborn starring Robert Bartko at 8 p.m.; and Saturday: Ed Wagner’s Brass Band at 2 p.m., Jagged Little Pill, Alanis tribute, at 5 p.m. and Jump, The Van Halen Experience at 8 p.m. Free. eastdundee.net.

Elgin Fringe Festival: Through Sunday, Sept. 28, at various locations in downtown Elgin. 12th annual celebration of bold artistic experimentation showcasing artists’ work across a spectrum of forms and genres. Tickets range from free to $12. Festival entry button ($4) required for each performance, including free shows. Festival pass: $95. elginfringefestival.com.

Great American Coin and Collectibles Show: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26; and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Dealers, grading services and well-known names from across the numismatic world. $10. gacc.show.

Joffrey Ballet presents “Carmen”: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. With choreography by Liam Scarlett. Tickets start at $46. joffrey.org

Bartlett Oktoberfest: 4-10:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, and 1-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Leiseberg Park, 325 E. Devon Ave., Bartlett. Live music, kids’ activities, exhibitor booths, beer, food for purchase and more. Family activities from 1-5 p.m. Saturday. Free. bartlettoktoberfest.com.

Huntley Fall Fest: 5-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at Deicke Park, 11419 S. Route 47, Huntley. Live entertainment, beer garden, food vendors, carnival midway, model-train display, scarecrow building/contest and fall activities. All-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 7-11 a.m. Saturday ($10, free for kids 12 and younger with a paid adult); car show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; craft/business show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; and a tractor show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Music lineup: Friday: Yankee Cowboy at 6:15 p.m. and 7th heaven at 9 p.m.; Saturday: Polly Says at 1:45 p.m., Two Beer Tommy at 3:45 p.m., Beyond the Blonde at 6:15 p.m., and LP Vinyl at 9 p.m.; and Sunday: Knievel Daredevil Band at noon, Hillbilly Rockstarz at 2:15 p.m. and Disco Circus at 5 p.m. Fireworks at 8:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Free. huntleyfallfest.com

A girl poses atop a giant carved pumpkin at Jack O’Lantern World in Lake Zurich. | Courtesy of All Community EventsJack O’Lantern World: Time slots start around 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, and are available Thursdays through Sundays through Nov. 1 at Paulus Park, 215 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. See and explore thousands of pumpkins arranged in displays and more, plus a pumpkin patch, 30-foot inflatables, food trucks, a beer garden, mini golf and more. Tickets range from $17.99-$27.99. Thejackolanternworld.com.

Artrageous: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at Elgin Community College’s Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Music, dance and live painting. $40; $20 for kids 12 and younger. eccartscenter.org

Under the Stars: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave., St. Charles. Take a paddle wheel riverboat cruise along the Fox river. Bring wine or beer. 21 and older. $24. Register in advance at stcriverboats.com.

Saturday, Sept. 27

Tailgate Swap: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Fox Valley Aero Club field, 3831 Karl Madsen Drive, St. Charles. Radio-controlled planes and accessories. Vendor fee is $10 per car. foxvalleyaero.com/events.

Des Plaines River Trail Bike Ride: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 27, at Campground Woods Forest Preserve at the junction of Algonquin and Campground roads, Des Plaines. Riders of all ages and experience levels can join the 8-mile ride that loops back to the starting point. Afterward, there’s a celebration and an option to take a short hike in the woods. Hosted by Bike and Walk Des Plaines. Free. bike-walk-dp.org

Randall Oaks Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, from Saturday, Sept. 27, through Nov. 2, at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Pedal tractors, pumpkins and fall treats for sale, and on weekends, hayrides for $3 and animal shows at 1:30 p.m. $6; free for kids 1 and younger and U.S. military with ID. dtpd.org/fall-festival.

Body Mind Spirit Celebration: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. Live learning sessions and entertainment, vendors, readings and more. $15 for both days. bmse.net

The Johnny Appleseed Festival comes to downtown Crystal Lake Saturday, Sept. 27. | Courtesy of downtown Crystal Lake

Johnny Appleseed Festival: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, in downtown Crystal Lake. Wagon rides, a pumpkin train, kids’ games, inflatables, inflatable axe-throwing and hoops for teens, a craft fair, pumpkin bowling, storytelling, live music, dancing, food trucks, apple cider doughnuts, a scarecrow on stilts and Johnny Appleseed. At Brink Street Market: Northwest Hwy Band from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Lee’s Martial Arts from 10-10:30 a.m.; Rebecca McCarthy School of Dance from 11-11:30 a.m.; and Engage Dance Academy from noon to 12:30 p.m. At other locations: Corner Boys Band from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Depot Park’s gazebo; chalk artists at Brink and Williams, toward Main, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Birthday Cake Contest from noon to 2 p.m. in the Raue Center lobby; and The Great Ball Race at 3 p.m. at Brink and Williams, toward Main (ball sales end at 2 p.m.). Activity tickets: $1, wristband: $10. downtowncl.org/johnny-festival.

Pet Adoption Event: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. See hundreds of adoptable dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and birds from animal shelters from the Chicago area and neighboring states. Free entry. chicagolandhumane.org

Rosetoberfest: 5K run/walk at 10 a.m. and Oktoberfest festival from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Music by Paloma, traditional German dance performances by the Society of Danube Swabians Youth Group and the Chicago Donauschwaben Adult Dance Groups, stein-holding and arm-wrestling and food for purchase. Free. $32 for the 5K. rosemont.com/thepark.

Get an up-close look at a variety of automobiles during the Pedal For Paws car show Saturday, Sept. 27, during Huntley Fall Fest in Deicke Park. | John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com

Huntley Fall Fest Pedal For Paws car show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, in Deicke Park, 11419 S. Route 47, Huntley. 16th annual fundraiser open to all vehicles 1989 or older, and 1990 and newer modern American muscle cars. Car clubs welcome. Car registration from 9-11 a.m. for $20 per vehicle. There will be 40 custom trophies; awards at 2 p.m. Food for sale from Boy Scout Troop 153. Benefits Animal Services & Assistance Program Inc. in Marengo. Free. huntleyfallfest.com.

Bull Valley Oktoberfest & Classic Car Show: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Stickney House Mansion, 1904 Cherry Valley Road, Bull Valley. Music from Forever Young from 12:30-2:30 p.m. and DJ Dave and kids’ activities. Craft beer from Kishwaukee Brewing and food from The Grilled Cheese Experiment and Sandie’s Dogs. $5; free for kids 12 and younger. (815) 459-4833 or thevillageofbullvalley.com.

Rakow Renaissance Family Faire: 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Gail Borden Public Library Rakow Branch, 2751 W. Bowes Road, Elgin. Costume contest, entertainment, games, crafts and take a photo with royalty. Free. gailborden.info.

The 38th annual Bluff City Cemetery Walk in Elgin will feature actors portraying Elgin notables sharing their life stories Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27-28. | John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com

38th annual Bluff City Cemetery Walk: 3 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, and 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at Bluff City Cemetery, off Bluff City Boulevard, Elgin. The 70-minute tour showcases the grave sites of former residents portrayed by actors in period costumes. To honor the centennial celebration of U.S. Route 20, this year’s characters have a connection with roads, trails and local transportation developments. $20-$25. Register: elginhistory.org.

Yappy Hour: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Bridges Beer Garden, 1400 Poplar Creek Drive, Hoffman Estates. Therapy dogs, mini horses, raffles and more. Benefits Soul Harbour. Free. heparks.org/event/yappy-hour

Knight of Champions Band Competition: 4:15 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Prospect High School, 801 W. Kensington Road, Mount Prospect. Gates open at 3:30 p.m. More than a dozen high school marching bands from across the Chicago area will compete, and there will be an exhibition performance by the Prospect Marching Knights at 8:30 p.m. $15. gofan.co/event/3936564?schoolId=IL15628_1.

Fan Halen: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Van Halen tribute. Tickets start at $63. rauecenter.org

Sunday, Sept. 28

Buffalo Grove Farmers Market: 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, in Mike Rylko Park, 951 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. Meat, cheese, bakery, coffee, knife sharpening and more from 42 vendors, with weekly entertainment, a kids’ craft tent, and Business of the Week vendors and nonprofits. vbg.org/165/Farmers-Market.

Crystal Lake Farmers Market+ At The Dole: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, 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.

Fall Caboose Days: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, 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.

Elgin Symphony Orchestra Trio: 2-3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, in the Gail Borden Public Library Meadows Community Rooms, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. ESO Concertmaster Isabella Lippi will be joined by two ESO colleagues on piano and cello in this chamber music performance to kick off the library’s 20th season of Sunday Afternoon Concerts. Free. Register: gailborden.info

Festival de Cultura, Comida y Vida takes place Sunday, Sept. 28, at Nippersink Forest Preserve in Round Lake. Courtesy of Justine Neslund

Festival de Cultura, Comida y Vida: 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at Nippersink Forest Preserve, 900 W. Belvidere Road, Round Lake. Family-friendly festival honoring Hispanic heritage with music and dance performances, cultural showcases, local food vendors, community partners sharing information on resources and support and more. Free. LCFPD.org.

Railroad Street Block Party: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at Duke’s Alehouse parking lot, 110 N. Main St., Crystal Lake. Local bands, food, family activities and games for kids. Free. facebook.com/dukesalehouse.

Elmhurst Symphony’s “An Opera Afternoon”: 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst. Season opener with vocalist Jim Cornelison and music by Wagner, Puccini, Rossini, Lehar, Bernstein and Bizet. Pre-concert talk at 1:45 p.m. $35-$45; $32-$42 for seniors; $12 for students with ID. elmhurstsymphony.org

Tuesday, Sept. 30

Trailer Fest: 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Cinergy Cinemas, 401 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling. Get first looks at the October through January slate of movies along with fast-paced trivia with prizes. $3, includes a small popcorn and a raffle ticket, with an optional sampler tasting for $8.99. cinergy.com.

Hix Bros Ukelele Band Fall Concert: 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, in the Gail Borden Public Library Meadows Community Rooms, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Free. Register: gailborden.info

Wednesday, Oct. 1

Cosley Zoo’s Pumpkin Fest features a variety of fall activities Oct. 1-31. | Courtesy of Cosley Zoo

Pumpkin Fest: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Oct. 1-31 at Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. See the zoo’s animals and thousands of pumpkins lining the zoo’s lawn. Kids’ rides for a fee. Apples, gourds, pumpkins, cider, cornstalks, straw bales and fall merchandise for purchase. Proceeds benefit Cosley Zoo. Admission: Free for Wheaton Park District residents and Cosley Zoo Members; nonresidents: $12 for 12-59, $10 for 60 and older, and free for kids 11 and younger. cosleyzoo.org.

Stargazing Parties: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, at Peck Farm Park Orientation Barn, 4038 Kaneville Road, Geneva. Fox Valley Astronomical Society hosts a short discussion, then heads outside to discover the stars, sky and planets through their giant telescope. If there’s heavy cloud cover, stargazing will be canceled, but the lecture will be held. Dress for the weather. No registration required. Free. genevaparks.org.

Thursday, Oct. 2

Metal Threat Fest 2025: Noon to 11:45 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 2-5, at 850 N. State St., Elgin. An underground death and black metal festival for 21 and older. $108.45 for a one-day pass, $320.62 for a three-day pass, and $426.70 for four days. metalthreatfest.com.

Vernon Hills Scarecrow Fest: 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, at Century Park Pavilion, 1400 Indianwood Drive, Vernon Hills. Build and decorate a scarecrow; bring clothes and accessories to use as decorations. Snack is included. $18 per group. Register at vhparkdistrict.org/event/scarecrow-fest.

Sensory Cocktail Experience: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, in Cantigny’s Upper Display Garden, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Led by Cantigny’s mixologist and executive chef, experiment with fresh ingredients, aromatic herbs and innovative flavor profiles to create signature drinks. The theme will be Scotch & Smoke. $100. Register: cantigny.org.

Ongoing

Goebbert’s Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 30 at Goebbert’s Farm & Garden Center, 40 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Animals, corn stalk mazes, wagon rides, pig races, fall food, produce and more. Some attractions are only available on the weekends. $19 weekdays; $23 in advance online and $26 at the door on weekends; free for kids 2 and younger. Extra fees for animal rides ($8) and gem mining ($10-$25). goebbertspumpkinfarm.com/fall-festival.

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.

Happy Times Pumpkinfest at Didier Farms: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except Tuesdays, though Sunday, Oct. 26, at Didier Farms, 16678 Aptakisic Road, Lincolnshire. Amusement rides, shows, fall merchandise, pumpkin sales, fall treats and more. Free entry; fees for rides and attractions. happytimespumpkinfest.com

Six Flags Great America Fright Fest: 5-11 p.m. Fridays starting Sept. 26; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturdays in October; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 1; plus 6-11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 2, at Six Flags Great America, Six Flags Drive, Gurnee. Thrills by day and frights by night with haunted houses, scare zones, spine-chilling shows and rides. Tickets start at $45. sixflags.com/greatamerica/events.

Volo Paranormal Tours: Noon, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesdays through Nov. 2, at the Volo Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo. Tour brings to life stories of paranormal encounters at the Volo museum. $3 with museum admission. Reservations recommended. volofun.com.

Richardson Adventure Farm: 3-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28; open various hours through Oct. 26 at Richardson Adventure Farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove. Corn maze, pumpkin patch, observation tower, zip line, zorbing, pig races and more. $24, $20 for kids 3-12, and free for kids 2 and younger; $30/$24 Saturdays and Sundays in October. richardsonadventurefarm.com.

“Disney’s The Little Mermaid”: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 5 at Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton. Wheaton Drama production. $25. wheatondrama.org

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Things to do Sept. 19-25: Oktoberfests, Elgin Fringe Festival, Cary Main Street Fest and more

Posted in Entertainment, Fundraisers on September 18, 2025| Leave a Comment »

The annual Cary Main Street Fest features local food, vendors, artists and more Friday through Sunday, Sept. 19-21. | Courtesy of Wolfe Photo

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Friday, Sept. 19

Cary Main Street Fest: 5-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19; 1-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20; and 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, on Main Street in downtown Cary. Live music, food trucks, family stage, beverage tents and family activities. Saturday: family area from 1-7:30 p.m., Chicago Trivia Guys from 1:30-3:30 p.m. and Baggo Tournament from 3:30-7:30 p.m. ($50 per team). Sunday: Main Street Fest 5K at 8:30 a.m., community breakfast ($10) from 9 a.m. to noon, farmers market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Cary Cruise Night Trophy Winners Car Show from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Music lineup: Friday: The Allstars at 5:30 p.m., Singo from 5:30-7:30 p.m., and Modern Day Romeos at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday: GEN8R at 1:30 p.m., Totally Taylor at 3:30 p.m., Hillbilly Rockstarz at 5:30 p.m. and 7th heaven at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday: Stars Resilient at 9:30 a.m. and New Vintage Strings at 11:30 a.m. Family stage on Saturday with DJ Chris Tone at 1:30 p.m., School of Rock at 2:45 p.m., Cary-Grove Performing Arts Centre at 4 p.m., Victory Voice at 4:45 p.m. and DJ Draw at 6 p.m. CaryMainStreetFest.com

32nd Annual Chicagoland Orchid Fest: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19-20, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Natt’s Orchids, 24645 103rd St., Naperville, and Orchids by Hausermann, 2N134 N. Addison Road, Villa Park. Orchids and supplies, guest vendors and special bargains. Hosted by the Chicagoland Orchid Growers Association. illinoisorchidsociety.org/events-all/32nd-orchid-fest.

Lake County RV Outlet Show: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Explore new gas and diesel motorhomes, fifth wheels, toy haulers, travel trailers, pop-up campers and more. Free. rvoutletshow.com.

Huck Finn Fishing Derby: 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at Reiner Park, 1101 N. Green Knolls Drive, Buffalo Grove. Fishing derby for kids 2-14. Awards and raffle prizes. Registration fee: $8-$10. bgparks.org/huck-finn-fishing-derby-2

Oktoberfest in Libertyville: 5-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, and 1-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Mickey Finn’s Brewery, 345 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Live music, seasonal brews, food and traditional Bavarian bier sports such as Hammerschlagen or Masskrugstemmen. Family activities from 1-4 p.m. Saturday. $25 in advance, $30 at the door; VIP tickets $50/$55. mainstreetlibertyville.org.

Varieties of German beer will be on tap during the Rotary Club of Palatine Oktoberfest this weekend. | Ryan Rayburn for the Daily Herald, September 22, 2024

Palatine Rotary Oktoberfest: 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, Sept. 19; noon to midnight Saturday, Sept. 20; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, on Smith and Slade streets, Palatine. Live music, beer, food, activities and more. Music: Phenix at 9 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday and Polkaholics at 9 p.m. Saturday. Free. palatinerotary.org/oktoberfest.

Barely a K, Goats All the Way 0.5K Beer & Donut Run: 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at Springbrook Nature Center, 130 Forest Ave., Itasca. Grab a doughnut and a beer or seltzer from Church Street Brewery and race the half-mile path around the nature center. New Milk Mustache Donut Dash for kids to race parents to the finish line. $40/$45. Register: itascaparkdistrict.com.

Elk Grove Oktoberfest: 6-10:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, and 3-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Rotary Green, 164 Lions Drive, Elk Grove Village. Traditional German food, games and activities, live music and more. Familyfest from 3-7 p.m. Saturday. Free; tickets for food and drinks. elkgrove.com/Oktoberfest

“Juana and the Missing Mayan Book”: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at the Hemmens Cultural Center Main Stage Theatre, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Explore the world of puppetry through the eyes of 9-year-old Juana as she sets out on a journey to save the few lasting remnants of the ancient Mayan society. Written and directed by Chicago artist Rocio “Chio” Cabrera-Coz. $15. hemmens.org.

ETC’s “The Tempest”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19-20, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., 8th floor, Elgin. Elgin Theatre Company’s production of Shakespeare’s final work, an enchanting blend of comedy, romance, revenge, fantasy, magic and mortality. General admission (no reserved seats): $23-$25. elgin-theatre.org/next-production.

Kristin Key: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. Musical comedian Kristin Key performs. $35-$40. woodstockil.gov/257/Opera-House.

Elgin Fringe Festival: Friday, Sept. 19, through Sept. 28 at various locations in downtown Elgin. 12th annual celebration of bold artistic experimentation showcasing artists’ work across a spectrum of forms and genres. Festival entry button ($4) required for each performance, including free shows. Festival pass for $95. elginfringefestival.com.

Saturday, Sept. 20

Step It Up for Clearbrook: 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Cronin Park, 400 S. Highland Ave., Arlington Heights. Music, games, food and activities. $25 for adults; $10 for Kids Dash. events.clearbrook.org.

Badges and Bobbers Fishin’ Derby: 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn. Annual catch-and-release fishing derby. Prizes for the largest, smallest and most fish caught in three age groups and for the overall “Best Dressed Angler.” Kids 3-12 must be accompanied by an adult. $12-$18 per child. Register at gepark.org.

Chicago Civil War Show and Sale: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Civil War dealers from throughout the U.S. and memorabilia from the Revolutionary War and the Spanish-American War. $10; $25 early-bird admission at 8 a.m., at the door only. Free for kids 12 and younger. chicagocivilwarshow.com.

Oktoberfest: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. German food from Olde Salem Café for purchase, traditional Bavarian performances from Donau Jugend Dance, live music from Die Kellerknaben and more. Free. ahpd.org.

Fall Fest: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Carpenter Park, 275 Maple Ave., Carpentersville. Live music, local vendors, seasonal treats, kids’ activities and more. cville.org.

Pepper Road Fest: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, on North Pepper Road, Lake Barrington. Live music, kids’ activities, food and drinks for purchase, vendors, activities and more. Free. barringtonchamber.com

The Great Outdoors Beer Trail: 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Fel-Pro RRR, Cary. Walk the one-mile paved trail while visiting up to 20 regional brewers, plus live music and food trucks. Must be 21 or older. Dog-friendly, leash required. Site closes at sunset. $70; $15 for designated driver. Tickets: mccdistrict.org

Ludacris will perform during the Tacos and Tequila Festival Saturday, Sept. 20, at Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva. | AP, June 9, 2025

Tacos and Tequila Festival: 2-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Northwestern Medicine Field, 34W002 Cherry Lane, Geneva. Featuring Ludacris, Timbaland, Trina, Trick Daddy, David Banner, Paul Wall, Bubba Sparxxx, Murphy Lee and DJ Ashton Martin. Plus, taco chefs, Lucha Libre Wrestlers, Chihuahua beauty pageant, exotic car showcase, Margs & Tequila Shot Bars, and a salsa and queso competition. VIP at 1:30 p.m. General admission: $102, VIP: $231, parking: $59. TacosandTequilaCHICAGO.com.

Brew at the Zoo: 3-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Fundraiser supporting the care of Randall Oaks Zoo animals. Adult beverages, food trucks, live music, lawn games, silent auctions, zookeeper-led tours and more. For 21 and older. $40-$45, $10 designated driver. Drinks for purchase. For tickets, visit dtpd.org.

Party in the Park: 4-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Community Park, 5 Parkview Lane, Hawthorn Woods. Music, food, beer, wine, seltzer and bourbon tent, axe throwing, cigar tent and a drone show at 9 p.m. Music from Deja Vu Band from 4-6 p.m. and Oh Yes after 6:30 p.m. Family fun zone includes a petting zoo, inflatable obstacle courses, train rides, touch-a-truck, games and activities. Free. vhw.org.

Celebrate National Dance Day: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Panton Mill Park, 10 N. Water St., South Elgin. Latin rhythm dance instruction from 5:30-6:30 p.m., then watch the double feature of “Footloose” and “Dirty Dancing” at dusk. Fernando’s Street Kitchen food truck on-site. Free. southelgin.com/pantonmillpark.

17th annual Elgin Short Film Festival: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Red carpet arrival and preshow entertainment starts at 6 p.m. Then watch prescreened films up to 20 minutes in length. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and audience members casting votes at intermission. After intermission, master of ceremonies Daryl Nitz will present the awards and prizes. $10 general admission. elginil.gov/1828/Elgin-Short-Film-Festival

Sunday, Sept. 21

Fox Valley Marathon: 7 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Mount St. Mary Park, off Route 31, St. Charles. Four race distances: 26.2, 20, 13.1 and 5K. Boston qualifier starting and ending in downtown St. Charles, winding through Geneva, Batavia and North Aurora. $55-$155. Register at fv26.com

Green Fair: 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Mike Rylko Community Park, 951 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. Learn about the steps you can take at home, work and in the community to improve the environment and make Buffalo Grove a greener and healthier place to live. Free. bgparks.org/green-fair.

Kane County Doll Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Kane County Fairgrounds Prairie Events Center, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Doll show featuring antique, vintage and collectibles, Barbies, Steiff, doll appraisals and more. Special program by Bradley Justice on “Barbie: The Legend Behind the Doll” at 1 p.m. Early-bird entry at 8 a.m. for $15. Regular entry $8 or free for kids 12 and younger. kanecountydollshow.com

See classic and vintage cars at the Cantigny Car Show Sunday, Sept. 21, at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. | Courtesy of Cantigny Park

Cantigny Car Show: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Cantigny Park south parking lot, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Vintage cars, entertainment, and food and beverage options. First 200 people through the gate receive a free limited-edition T-shirt. Register your vehicle for $28; parking included. Parking is $21. cantigny.org/event/cantigny-car-show-2.

Crystal Lake Farmers Market+ At The Dole: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, 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.

Fall Caboose Days: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, 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.

Fallapalooza: 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at the Community Recreation Center, Wheeling. Live music by Eric Case Band, petting zoo, pony rides, inflatables, airbrush tattoos and more. Food and refreshments for purchase. Free. wheelingparkdistrict.com.

Palatine Historical Society Cemetery Walk: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Hillside Cemetery, 375 N. Smith St., Palatine. Guided tours of the cemetery as actors play the roles of Palatine residents from the village’s past. Tickets required; admission fee. palatine.il.us.

Railroad Street Block Party: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Duke’s Alehouse parking lot, 110 N. Main St., Crystal Lake. Bands, food from local restaurants, family activities and games for kids. Free. facebook.com/dukesalehouse.

Monday, Sept. 22

Cruise Nights at Willow Creek: 4:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, at Willow Creek Church, parking lot F, 67 E. Algonquin Road, South Barrington. Hosted by the CARS Ministry of Willow Creek Church, this event is open to vintage, classic, custom, muscle, and antique cars and trucks. Food and music. Free. willowcreek.org.

Thursday, Sept. 25

Great American Coin and Collectibles Show: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25; 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26; and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Dealers, grading services and well-known names from across the numismatic world. $10. gacc.show.

Thursday Nights Live: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at Wheeling Town Center, 351 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling. Lola Blu will perform in the plaza. Food and beverages from local restaurants. Free. thewheelingtowncenter.com/events.

Ongoing

Goebbert’s Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 30 at Goebbert’s Farm & Garden Center, 40 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Animals, corn stalk mazes, wagon rides, pig races, fall food, produce and more. Some attractions only available on weekends. $19 weekdays; $23 in advance online and $26 at the door on weekends; free for kids 2 and younger. Extra fees for animal rides ($8) and gem mining ($10-$25). goebbertspumpkinfarm.com/fall-festival.

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.

Happy Times Pumpkinfest at Didier Farms: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except Tuesdays, though Sunday, Oct. 26, at Didier Farms, 16678 Aptakisic Road, Lincolnshire. Amusement rides, shows, fall merchandise, pumpkin sales, fall treats and more. Free entry; fees for rides and attractions. happytimespumpkinfest.com

Six Flags Great America Fright Fest: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays in September, 11 a.m. to midnight Saturdays in October, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays, through Nov. 1; plus 5-11 p.m. Fridays starting Sept. 26; 6-11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 2, at Six Flags Great America, Six Flags Drive, Gurnee. Thrills by day and frights by night with haunted houses, scare zones, spine-chilling shows and rides. Tickets start at $45. sixflags.com/greatamerica/events.

Volo Paranormal Tours: Noon, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesdays through Nov. 2, at the Volo Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo. Tour brings to life stories of paranormal encounters at the Volo museum. $3 with museum admission. Reservations recommended. volofun.com.

Richardson Adventure Farm: 3-11 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays in September; open through Oct. 26 at Richardson Adventure Farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove. Corn maze, pumpkin patch, observation tower, zip line, zorbing, pig races and more. $24, $20 for kids 3-12, and free for kids 2 and younger; $30/$24 Saturdays and Sundays in October. richardsonadventurefarm.com.

Joffrey Ballet presents “Carmen”: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, through Sept. 28, at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. With choreography by Liam Scarlett. Tickets start at $46. joffrey.org

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Rotary Club of Palatine’s Oktoberfest returns with beer, music, bike ride, scarecrow contest

Posted in Entertainment, Fundraisers on September 18, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Emily Burk of Inverness plays a round of giant Connect Four with her dad Jim during last year’s Rotary Club of Palatine Oktoberfest. The festival returns to downtown Palatine this week. | Daily Herald File Photo, 2024

Submitted by Bill Pohlman

Bring your appetite for beer, music, food and games to the Rotary Club of Palatine’s 17th annual Oktoberfest, which will take place Friday, Sept. 19, through Sunday, Sept. 21, in downtown Palatine.

Event hours are 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Saturday is designated as Family Day, featuring games, crafts, and entertainment for children. The festival takes place on the corner of Smith and Slade streets south of the Metra train station, with proceeds from the event benefiting local charities and community projects in the Palatine area.

Admission is free to this event that features authentic German music, food, beverages and activities for all ages.

“We kick off the festival on Friday at 5 p.m.,” said Joe Mazzocchi, Palatine Rotary president. “The blessing and tapping of the keg will start our Oktoberfest event. Come celebrate in your lederhosen and dirndl!”

Rotary is collaborating with several organizations to create a low waste event. Composting and recycling stations will be in place to reduce landfill waste. With support from the Palatine Jaycees, they will be adding a water refilling station to the event.

“Our club is concerned about the environment, and this event provides an opportunity for us to contribute to keeping the community clean in a fun and environmentally friendly manner,” said Randy Klingner, Palatine Rotary environmental chairman.

“Everyone knows beer is a large component of any Oktoberfest celebration,” said Al Stoeckel, beer chairman. “There are a number of beers being poured this year. Paulaner Pils which is an imported full-flavored German Pilsner. Another beer on our menu, Paulaner Oktoberfest Marzen is a medium amber lager. We also have Hacker-Pschorr Weissbier which is naturally cloudy, full-flavored and uniquely refreshing as well as Paulaner Grapefruit Radler a fruity-tart, 100% natural, not too sweet beer since it’s made with less sugar than common radlers. We will also be offering different varieties of wine, including merlot and Pinot Grigio, as well as White Claw hard seltzer.”

Die Musikmeisters will be the opening band on Friday at Rotary Club of Palatine’s annual Oktoberfest in downtown Palatine. | Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald, 2024

The event will also feature authentic German food from vendors including Morkes Chocolates, Tap House Grill, Friends of the Rotary, Tre Amici Pizza, Kooker’s, Annie’s Restaurant & Pancake Shop, Daisy’s Ice Cream Shop and Rep’s Burgers. Morkes will have a variety of caramel apples, spiced doughnuts and other sweet treats. Tap House Grill will offer pretzels with cheese, deep fried schnitzel chicken bites, sauerbraten pot roast sliders and potato salad. Pop and water will be available for purchase from the Rotary Club of Palatine.

The Friends of the Rotary will be cooking brats and hot dogs. Tre Amici will feature sausage, German and Reuben pizza. Kooker’s will have brats, a Leberkaese sandwich, a German pretzel with cheese, salads and desserts. Annie’s will have German crepes and benedicts, Hungarian goulash and caramel apple cheesecake. Daisy’s will feature ice cream sandwiches, fudge brownie sundaes and ice cream floats. Rep’s Burgers will serve their spätzle, knockwurst and their German style burger.

Musical entertainment will kick off on Friday night with Die Musikmeisters from 5 to 8:30 p.m. followed by Phenix from 9 p.m. to midnight. Saturday’s entertainment includes Alpine Thunder from noon to 3:30 p.m., Heimat und Trachten Verein Edelweiss with traditional German dances between 3:30 and 5 p.m., Die Kellerknaben from 5 to 8 p.m., followed by Polkaholics from 9 p.m. until midnight. The musical line up on Sunday features Phenix from 2 to 6 p.m.

Games and activities for Family Day will be on Saturday from noon until 3:30 p.m. with face painting, balloon art, fire department displays, children’s raffle prizes and birdhouse building by Home Depot. At approximately 12:30 p.m., the winners of Scarecrows on Parade, a scarecrow decorating contest sponsored by the village of Palatine, will be announced. This year, Family Day will feature an Oktoberfest Family Bike Ride sponsored by the Bike Palatine Club on Saturday morning at Towne Square on the corner of Smith and Slade Streets. Riders are asked to meet at 10:30 a.m. and the ride will start at 11 a.m. Visit bikepalatine.com for more information.

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An Evening for Change

Posted in Entertainment, Fundraisers, Resident Spotlights on September 14, 2025| Leave a Comment »

The Purist

Hosted by Richard J. and Dr. Stacie J. Stephenson, Chicago’s premier philanthropic tradition returns.

On October 18, Gateway Chairman Richard J Stephenson and Vice-Chair Dr. Stacie J. Stephenson will host one of Chicago’s most inspiring philanthropic traditions, the 34th Annual Gateway for Cancer Research Cures Gala. The evening, taking place at a private estate in Barrington Hills, will blend purpose and elegance, spotlighting the urgent need for patient-centered cancer research. Guests will enjoy extraordinary performances by 16-time Grammy-winning producer David Foster, along with actress and singer Katharine McPhee, Broadway star Erich Bergen and the legendary Village People.

Founded in 1991, Gateway for Cancer Research is dedicated to accelerating Phase I and II clinical trials—those that offer real promise for patients, but are often overlooked by conventional funding. With more than 200 trials supported to date and over 30,000 patients​ and families impacted worldwide, Gateway​ for Cancer Research continues to lead with innovation, empathy, and urgency.

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ART IN THE BARN

Posted in Education, Entertainment, Fundraisers, Topics Of Interest on September 13, 2025| Leave a Comment »

ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL

By Janis MVK | JWC Media Group

A 50-year tradition of creativity and community continues this September 27 and 28.

From its humble origins with just 30 artists and 1,500 attendees, Art in the Barn has grown to showcase the works of over 175 juried artists, drawing more than 5,000 art enthusiasts each year. This year, celebrating its 50th season set against the picturesque backdrop of Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital’s sprawling grounds in Barrington, Art in the Barn continues to celebrate the vibrant intersection of art and community in a uniquely enchanting setting.

The force behind this artful experiential masterpiece is led by Sharon Vogel, Art in the Barn’s co-chair for the past 24 years. Joining her is co-chair Megan Clarke. Together, they embody a deep commitment to both community engagement and the appreciation of art. Their combined efforts and dedication help bring this cherished event to life, making it a beloved part of the local scene.

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West Dundee Heritage Fest features music, crafts fair, car show and more

Posted in Entertainment, Fundraisers on September 12, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Heritage Fest-goers check out classic rides like a 1927 Ford T-Bucket at the car show at the 2024 event. | Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com, 2024

Submitted by Heritage Fest

Heritage Fest returns for its 27th year on Sept. 12-14. This three-day community festival in West Dundee includes live music, arts and craft fair, car show, food, 5K and more.

Festival hours are 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in downtown West Dundee. Admission is free.

Music stage

The entertainment lineup offers something for everyone! Local and national musicians, cover bands and many others will perform on the main stage downtown.

On Saturday, the East Dundee band Crossover will perform classic rock, country and blues at 10 a.m.

Cesare Salad and the Spicy Croutons, led by guitarist and vocalist Cesare, will be bringing their high-energy blues and rock ‘n’ roll to the stage at 11:30 a.m.

At 1:30 p.m., festival favorite, the Bishop Super Band returns, having performed at Heritage Fest every year since 2015. The band features staff, students and friends of the late Matt Bishop, founder of the band and a Dundee Middle School music teacher who died in February 2024 at age 34.

Nick Wilkinson & the Featured Players will be playing alternative and indie music at 3 p.m.

At 4:30 p.m., The Sofa Kings, a cover band with a focus on the 1990s, takes the stage. The rock/country band Sixes & Sevens will be the openers at 6:30 p.m. for the classic rock headliners ARRA at 9 p.m.

On Sunday, Eric Case will be performing Americana, classic country, and soulful rock ‘n’ roll at 10 a.m.

The Brandon Reisdorf Quartet, featuring the folk-rock songwriter from Carpentersville, will take the stage at 11:30 a.m.

Theater on the Fox will perform an excerpt from “Into the Woods” at 12:40 p.m.

The Sofa Kings perform a mix of classic rock, country, alt-90s during the Heritage Fest in West Dundee. | Courtesy of The Sofa Kings

West Dundee’s very own folk rock band, Controlled Burn, will take the stage at 1:30 p.m. The Lennys! will close out the three-day festival with family-friendly rock from the 1950s through today at 3 p.m.

The popular Heritage Fest Car Show features souped up vehicles both new and old — any year, make or model are welcome, including antique, originals, customs, rat rods, street/strip, trucks & motorcycles.

With each day come new vehicles and lots of prizes, including Spectator’s Choice, so come out and vote for your favorite ride!

The Car Show sets up along South Second Street in West Dundee, beginning on the 100 South block by village hall, and extending toward Liberty Street. Car show hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

JP Car Shows, who put on car shows all over the greater Chicago area and Northern Illinois, manage this annual show. The Sunday show includes a celebrity guest judge, Jaime Hjelm from the Netflix series “Tex Mex Motors.”

The Boy Scouts will set up a food tent in front of village hall serving grilled goodies, chips and cold beverages.

Arts & crafts fair

Each year, about 100 artisans display their handmade wares as part of the Heritage Fest Art & Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. In years past, exhibitors have presented apparel, jewelry, soaps, floral decor, stained glass, watercolors, aprons, metal art, primitive and country crafts, ceramics, dog goodies, dips and honeys, fine woodworking, knitting, felted items, bottle art and tie dye, among many other things.

Located along the banks of the Fox River, the fair begins at Second and Washington in West Dundee and continues along the Riverwalk up Lincoln Ave toward the footbridge that connects East Dundee and West Dundee.

Business and NFP Expo

The Heritage Fest Business & Not-For-Profit Expo highlights over 20 local companies and organizations that serve the community, as well as event sponsors who have contributed to making this weekend possible.

Downtown you will find a variety of offerings including games and activities for the kids, spinning wheels, raffle drawings, giveaways, dunk tanks, specialty items, and more. There’s a little something for everyone! Expo hours are 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Kids’ activities

Returning this year will be the bungee trampoline and a bouncy house. Make your first stop at the Business and NFP Expo for the Dundee Township Park District booth where there will be sand art for Saturday and a new table top carnival games for Sunday.

A face painter will be stationed within the Business and NFP Expo. Kids will also enjoy playing games and winning prizes at many of the booths in this immediate area.

5K run

On Saturday, the Dundee Township Lions Club and the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce are hosting the annual 5K run and 1.75 mile walk from downtown West Dundee south to South End Park and returning through East Dundee. Proceeds support local charities and businesses, as well as fulfilling eyeglass needs for children in Community Unit District 300. It will begin at 8 a.m. Register online at raceroster.com through Sept. 13 for $49.54 for the 5K and $22.85 for the 1.75-mile walk.

Pancake breakfast

Each year, the Dundee Lions Club kicks off the final day of Heritage Fest by hosting Community Pancake Breakfast on Sunday morning under the main tent.

The breakfast menu includes pancakes, sausage links, biscuits and gravy, juice and coffee served buffet style. In addition to a hearty breakfast, there’s live entertainment by the Starlites Jazz Combo.

Proceeds from the modest ticket prices (children under 3 eat free) go to the Dundee Lions Club’s Sight and Sound Fund.

It will be 8 to 10:30 a.m. in the tent downtown, north of Main Street (Route 72) between First and Second streets, near the Village Squire.

More details can be found on wdundeeheritagefest.org or facebook.com/WDundeeHeritageFest

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Things to do Sept. 5-11: Platzkonzert Germanfest, Taste of Chicago, Bloomingdale Septemberfest and more

Posted in Entertainment, Fundraisers, The Greatest Generation, Topics Of Interest on September 5, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Ed and Joy Rohn of Hoffman Estates enjoy beer during last year’s Platzkonzert Germanfest in Hoffman Estates. | Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com, Sept. 7, 2024

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Friday, Sept. 5

MainStreet Libertyville’s First Fridays: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, on Main Street in Libertyville. Music, refreshments and more. Free. mainstreetlibertyville.org.

Festival of the Vine: Noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 5-6, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, on James Street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, Geneva. Geneva restaurants offer specialties under an outdoor tent at the Flavor Fare partnered with wine and live music. Arts and crafts show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Third and Campbell streets. Merchant wine events, business booths, kids’ activities and free horse-drawn carriage rides. Hosted by the Geneva Chamber of Commerce. Flavor Fare tickets available online starting at $20. genevachamber.com/events/festival-of-the-vine.

Taste of Chicago returns Friday through Sunday, Sept. 5-7, in Chicago’s Grant Park. | Courtesy of the city of Chicago

Taste of Chicago: Noon to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Sept. 5-7, in Grant Park, Jackson and Columbus, Chicago. Over 50 food vendors and food trucks, Eli’s Cheesecake Birthday Celebration at noon Saturday, Chicago Summer Dance events all three days and more. Music lineup: Friday: Shawnee Dez at 6 p.m. and Lupe Fiasco at 7 p.m.; Saturday: PAMÉ at 6 p.m. and JoJo at 7 p.m.; and Sunday: Blood Club at 6 p.m. and Elvis Crespo at 7 p.m. Food vendors only accept credit cards. Free. chicago.gov

Rock the Block Party: 4-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Elmhurst City Centre, 109 W. First St., Elmhurst. Music, food and drinks from local restaurants, Kids Zone from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and more. Music lineup: Friday: Cary Kanno & the Elmhurst Collective at 4 p.m., The PriSSillas at 5:15 p.m., Hello Weekend at 7:15 p.m., and Rod Tuffcurls & the Bench Press at 9:15 p.m.; and Saturday: DJ Dance Party at 11 a.m., Fearless/The Taylor Tribute at 12:15 p.m., Disco Circus at 2:30 p.m., Fletcher Rockwell at 4:30 p.m., ARRA at 6:30 p.m. and Sixteen Candles at 8:45 p.m. Cashless event; credit or debit cards for food and beverage purchases. Free. elmhurstcitycentre.com.

Itasca’s 17th annual Oktoberfest: 5-10:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, and 3-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Washington Park, 350 E. Irving Park Road, Itasca. Live music, German food and entertainment. Free admission and parking. itascaparkdistrict.com/602/Oktoberfest

Becky Modglin, left, of Schaumburg and Carol Frascati of Bloomingdale sip beer during last year’s Platzkonzert Germanfest in Hoffman Estates. | Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com, Sept. 7, 2024

Platzkonzert Germanfest: 5:30-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, at Village Green, 5450 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. A family-friendly Oktoberfest-style celebration featuring Hofbrau beer, authentic German food, live music, free kids’ activities and more. Music: Friday: Alpine Blast at 5:30 p.m. and The Polka Floyd Show at 8:30 p.m.; Saturday: Alpine Thunder at noon, Blaskapelle Milwaukee at 4 p.m. and Hello Weekend at 8 p.m.; and Sunday: Die Musikmeisters Band at noon. Free. hoffmanestates.org

Outdoor Movie Nights: 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, at Deer Park Town Center, 20530 N. Rand Road, Deer Park. Face painting, balloon artist, games and more before “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” at 7 p.m. Free. shopdeerparktowncenter.com.

“Puffs”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 5-14, at Elgin Community College’s SecondSpace, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Follow Wayne and his Puff pals as they navigate classes, friendships and hilariously chaotic events. $16-$18. eccartscenter.org

GreenRoom’s First Fridays Improv: 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, at Hemmens Theatre in the Round, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $15-$20. hemmens.org.

Saturday, Sept. 6

Fishing Derby: 8:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Surrey Woods Park, 560 Ascot Lane, Streamwood. Annual Kiwanis Club of Streamwood Fishing Derby for kids 3-12. Registration at 8:30 a.m.; fishing at 9 a.m. Limited bait will be available. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Free. streamwoodparks.org.

Elmhurst’s Touch-a-Truck: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 6, at Berens Park’s east parking lot, 493 N. Oaklawn Ave., Elmhurst. Climb on and explore a variety of vehicles. The first hour will be a quiet hour for kids who love trucks, but not the noise. Food trucks: Brown’s Chicken, Tacos El Amigazo, D’s Treats & Ice Cream, Smallcakes and Windy City Ice Cream. Free. epd.org

Goebbert’s Fall Festival offers food, produce, mazes, pig races and more from Sept. 6 through Oct. 31 at the South Barrington location. | Daily Herald File Photo

Goebbert’s Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Saturday, Sept. 6, through Oct. 30, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 31 at Goebbert’s Farm & Garden Center, 40 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Animals, corn stalk mazes, wagon rides, pig races, fall food, produce and more. Some attractions are only available on weekends. $19 on weekdays and Halloween; $23 in advance online and $26 at the door on weekends and Columbus Day; free for kids 2 and younger. Extra fees for animal rides ($8) and gem mining ($10-$25). goebbertspumpkinfarm.com/fall-festival.

Historic Elgin House Tour: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6-7, in Elgin. The 43rd annual event features seven homes on Elgin’s west side. Registration site: Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave. $20, $15 for ages 65 and older and 18 and younger; $5 more the day-of. historicelginhousetour.com.

Pet Event: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Bartlett Gazebo Park, 120 N. Eastern Ave., Bartlett. Seventh annual event for pets and their humans. Features 20 area rescue organizations, more than 20 pet-related vendors and animal demos. Food and treats for purchase. Free. artsinbartlett.org/pet-event.

Art on the Fox: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, along Main Street in downtown Algonquin. Featuring 75 original artists; live music; Kid Zone for art projects, games, spin art and sand sculpture; live painting classes; and food and drink. Free. artonthefox.com.

Big Truck Show: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 6, at the James O. Breen Community Park, 3615 Campton Hills Drive, St. Charles. The equipment may include trucks, cars and tractors. In partnership with Pistons for the Parks Foundation car show. All vehicles welcome for the car show: vintage, antique, muscle, low riders, grand tourers, hot rods, roadsters, classics, motorcycles and more. Awards presented for Owner’s Choice, People’s Choice, Kid’s Choice and Grand Champion. 50/50 Raffle. Food truck on-site. Alcohol-free event. Rain or shine. Parking spaces assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. $15 per vehicle. Register: stcparkfoundation.org/events.

DuPage Comic Con Fall Show: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at DuPage County Fairgrounds Building 1, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. More than 150 comic book dealers; toy, collectible and trading card vendors; artists and guests. $10; free for kids younger than 12. mcconventions.com/dupage-comic-con.

Mundelein Arts Festival: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6-7, in Courtland Commons in downtown Mundelein. Juried art festival showcases the works of local artists in a variety of media, plus local musicians and food. Free. mundeleincommunityconnection.org.

Printers Row Lit Fest: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6-7, in Chicago’s Printers Row neighborhood on South Dearborn, from Ida B. Wells to Polk Street, Chicago. Hundreds of booksellers and two days of programming. Free. printersrowlitfest.org.

Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove hosts pig races during its annual fall hours. Courtesy | Adam Glickman/Adam Glickman Photography

Richardson Adventure Farm: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 9 p.m. Sundays and 3-11 p.m. Fridays, starting Saturday, Sept. 6, through September, and 3-9 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays through Sundays in October through Oct. 26, at Richardson Farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove. Corn maze, pumpkin patch, observation tower, zip line, zorbing, pig races and more. $24, $20 for kids 3-12, and free for kids 2 and younger; $30/$24 Saturdays and Sundays in October. richardsonadventurefarm.com.

Summer’s Last Hurrah!: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Panton Mill Park, 9 N. Water St., South Elgin. Rotary Club of Elgin event with live music, kids’ activities, food trucks and beverages. Touch-a-Truck from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Children’s FunFest, Crafts Fair & Makers’ Market, Sponsors and Community Showcase from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Costumed pet parade at 4 p.m. Electro Retro, Dance Party for 4 Generations, from 5-8 p.m. Bring blankets or lawn chairs; no coolers. facebook.com/RotaryClubofElgin.

TheosoFest Mind, Body, Spirit Festival: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Theosophical Society, 1926 N. Main St., Wheaton. Mind-body-spirit festival featuring meditative practices from several traditions, Labyrinth Walk, Qigong and Tai Ji, Kids Korner, a drumming circle, exhibits and vendor booths, hands-on demonstrations, vegetarian food and more. Free; lawn parking is $5 (cash or credit card). theosophical.org/theosofest.

Taylor Swift tribute band Fearless kicks off the music Saturday, Sept. 6, at Bloomingdale Septemberfest. | Courtesy of the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce

Bloomingdale Septemberfest: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Old Town Park, 111 Third St., Bloomingdale. 51st annual event features performances, carnival rides and games, crafts, food and Lions beer tent. Parade starts at 11 a.m. near DuJardin School, 166 S. Euclid, heads west onto Schick Road to Third Street, ending at the festival grounds. Stage entertainment starts at noon featuring performances by local groups and emcee Brett Walkow. Music starts at 4 p.m. with Fearless, followed by LouderNow, then Hair Band Night. Free. villageofbloomingdale.org.

Windy City Market: Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Artists, makers and vintage curators will be selling handcrafted goods. Free. ParkwayBankPark.com.

Kane County Flea Market: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Up to 400 dealers display and sell antiques and collectibles indoors and outside. $6; free for kids 12 and younger. kanecountyfleamarket.com.

The Batmobile made an appearance at last year’s Vintage Car Show in Highland Park. This year’s event takes place Saturday, Sept. 6, at St. John’s North Lot. | Courtesy of Ripple Public Relations

Vintage Car Show: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, at St. John’s North Lot, 525 Central Ave., Highland Park. Vintage vehicles on St. Johns Avenue, a live radio remote with Free Country 102.3, music from DJ Russ Fritz, kid-friendly activities, and food and beverages. Free for spectators. enjoyhighlandpark.com

Glen Ellyn Backyard BBQ: 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Duane Street public parking lot in downtown Glen Ellyn. 17th annual end-of-summer benefit for Bridge Communities with an amateur barbecue competition showcasing local grill masters and music. glenellynbackyardbbq.org.

Illinois Brews: 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Bowes Creek Country Club, 1250 Bowes Creek Blvd., Elgin. 14th annual fundraiser featuring local craft beer, food and live music. Proceeds provide at-risk Elgin youth with access to recreational programs and services. VIP sneak peek admission at 3 p.m.: $75; regular admission: $55; designated driver: $25. Register: elginparksfoundation.org/ilbrewsatbowes.

Sunday, Sept. 7

Great Midwest Train Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Over 110 exhibitors with new and used model trains, accessories, parts and more. $7 online or $8 at the gate; cash only. Free for kids 11 and younger with an adult. trainshow.com.

Tails on the Trails: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, at The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Dog-friendly event featuring a Pet Expo with local vendors, info about dog adoption and volunteering opportunities at local animal shelters. $12-$18 and $5 for each dog. Tickets: mortonarb.org.

Crystal Lake Farmers Market+ At The Dole: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, 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.

A Viking ship replica was part of a previous Scandinavian Day Festival at Vasa Park in South Elgin. This year’s event happens Sunday, Sept. 7. | Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com, 2018

Scandinavian Day Festival: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, at Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin. Traditional food of five Nordic cultures, crafts, entertainment, vendor walkway, kids’ activities, free pony rides and face painting. $15; free for kids 12 and younger. Free parking. scandinaviandayil.com.

Battle of the Bags: Noon Sunday, Sept. 7, at Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Cornhole tournament. Registration begins at 11 a.m. The competitive division will offer up to $5,000 in cash prizes. The social division features prizes including cash and gift certificates. $80 per team for the competitive division, $40 per team for social. ParkwayBankPark.com.

Festival of Cultures: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, at the Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, 256 E. Palatine Road, Palatine. Entertainment, activities and authentic ethnic cuisines. Performances include Jasmin Jahal Dance Company, Brotherhood of Harmony Chorus, Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai Performing Group and St. Matthew’s Chimu Don Don, Junior Klezmer Orchestra and Chicago Cossacks. Free. palatineparks.org

PuzzleMania: 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, at the Community Center, 255 Briargate Road, Cary. Teams of up to four adults can compete in this jigsaw puzzle tournament. $30 per team. Register at carypark.com

Railroad Street Block Party: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, at Duke’s Alehouse parking lot, 110 N. Main St., Crystal Lake. Local bands, food from local eateries, and family activities and games for kids. Free. facebook.com/dukesalehouse.

Wednesday, Sept. 10

Park On Park Classic Car Show: 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Seymour and Park, 469 N. Seymour Ave., Mundelein. Car show specializing in pre-2001 cars and trucks. Food, music and more. Free. mundeleincommunityconnection.org.

South Elgin Summer Concert Series: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Panton Mill Park, 10 N. Water St., South Elgin. Sunset Strip will perform. Food Truck Wednesdays: 6-8 p.m. Free. southelgin.com/pantonmillpark.

Chicago Water Music: 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, on the Riverwalk between LaSalle and Clark Street, Chicago. Music on the river with Music of the Baroque, which includes a citywide sing-along of Handel’s “Hallelujah” Chorus at approximately 8 p.m. Free. baroque.org/hallelujahchicago.

Thursday, Sept. 11

A 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony will be held at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, outside at the Fire Department Memorial Monument in St. Charles. | Courtesy of Shaw Local News Network

St. Charles 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony: 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, outside at the Fire Department Memorial Monument, 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. Thursday, Sept. 11, at Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. elginil.gov

Wheaton Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony: 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at Memorial Park, 225 N. Karlskoga Ave., Wheaton. Pays tribute to those lost in the terrorist attacks and the ensuing military conflicts, and honors fire and police personnel. wheaton.il.us.

Brown Bag Lunch: Noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at Elgin History Museum, 360 Park St., Elgin. “Chicagoland Neon Signs” with Nick Freeman. $5; free for members. Register at elginhistory.org.

St. Charles Jazz Weekend: Various times Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 11-14, at various St. Charles venues. Live jazz featuring jazz groups and performers, including Haley Reinhart, Frank Catalano, Inversion Jazz Trio, Megan Kranz Quartet, On the AIR, Black and Blue Hearts, Extraordinary Popular Delusions, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, STC North High School Jazz Band and Kirby Fellis, Andrew Egizio, STC East High School Jazz Band, Toby Morden Trio, Mike Horton Quartet, Beveled, New Vintage Strings, Shout Section Big Band, John Wesley Experience, Matt Ulery Quintet, Samuel Wyatt, Diego Rodriguez Big Band, Andy Schlinder & Kevin Brown, Michael Shebar Trio, Gregory Hyde, Ten Cat Swing, Elaine Dame Trio, Sincerely Sinatra Big Band with Nick Pontarelli, and Mario Dueñas Electric Group. Tickets and covers at some locations. stcjazzweekend.com.

Ongoing

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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Things to do Aug. 22-28: Buffalo Grove Days, Palatine Street Fest, Chicago International Boat Show and more

Posted in Entertainment, Fundraisers, The Greatest Generation, Topics Of Interest on August 22, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Taste of Greektown is Friday, August 22 through Sunday, August 24, 2025, along Halsted Street from Adams to Van Buren.

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Friday, Aug. 22

Anime Magic! 2025: 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22, through 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Anime convention with vendors, cosplay, celebrity guests, special events and more. $65 for Friday, $70 for Saturday, $60 for Sunday, $75 for three days, and free for kids 7 and younger. animemagic.org.

Chicago International Boat Show: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 22-23, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, at Navy Pier Marina & Festival Grounds, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. See luxury yachts, cutting-edge vessels, adventure gear, marine accessories and high-end vehicles, plus interactive displays, on-land and in-water exhibits, food, entertainment, fireworks and more. Tickets start at $37.92, free for kids 12 and younger. officialchibs.com.

Taste of Greektown: 4-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 23-24, in the Greektown Neighborhood, along Halsted Street, from Adams to Van Buren, Chicago. Sample food from the neighborhood’s Greek restaurants along with live music and entertainment, Greek dancing and more. Free; suggested donation $7. GreektownChicago.org.

West Dundee French Market: 4-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, 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. wdundee.org.

Sixteen Candles will perform Friday, Aug. 22, at Palatine Street Fest. | Courtesy of Sixteen Candles

Palatine Street Fest: 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, Aug. 22; noon to midnight Saturday, Aug. 23; and 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, at 298 W. Slade, Palatine. Live music, food and drinks, family activities and more. Music lineup: Friday: Rearview at 7:30 p.m. and Sixteen Candles at 10 p.m.; Saturday: ROK Brigade at 7:45 p.m. and ARRA at 9:45 p.m.; and Sunday: Stache at 1:30 p.m. and Hello Weekend at 4 p.m. Free. palatine.il.us/927/Street-Fest.

Buffalo Grove Park District Summer Concert Series: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at Mike Rylko Community Park Amphitheater, 1000 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove. The Abby Kay Band will perform. Food, beer, wine and soft drinks for purchase. No outside alcohol allowed. Bring blankets and chairs. Free. bgparks.org/summer-concert-series

Finally Friday: 7:30-9 p.m Friday, Aug. 22, at The Pump House, 98 Oregon Ave., West Dundee. American Cash will perform. Food vendors. Free. wdundee.org.

Saturday, Aug. 23

Calibre Car Show: 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at The Arboretum of South Barrington, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Car show with the theme “Bimmers and Beans.” Free. shopthearb.com/events.

Fishing Day: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at William Aldis Sr. Park, Maiden Lane and First Street, West Dundee. Dundee Township Park District will provide the equipment or bring your own. Each child will get a small tackle box filled with bobbers, lures and more. There will be giveaways, prizes, crafts, games and a lunch of hot dogs, chips and drinks for participants and their families. Each registered family will get a fishing spot (for 30 minutes) and instruction. $5 per family. Register by noon Friday, Aug. 22, at dtpd.org/fishing-day.

Cardboard Boat Regatta: Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at Willow Stream Pool, 600 Farrington Drive, Buffalo Grove. Design, build and navigate a boat made entirely of cardboard. For kids 6 and older. $25-$32. Registration required. bgparks.org

Blues & Brews on the Fox comes to Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling in St. Charles on Saturday, Aug. 23. | Courtesy of Brigette Burgman Photography

Blues & Brews on the Fox: Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling on Riverside Avenue, between Illinois Avenue and Walnut Avenue in St. Charles. An Americana rock and blues and craft beverage festival with beer, wine and cocktails from Pollyanna and other St. Charles breweries and food from 4D’s BBQ food truck, Duke’s Northwoods and Kimmer’s Ice Cream. Music lineup: Diamond Balazhi at noon, Danny Garwood at 1:30 p.m., Al Spears & the Hurricane Project at 3 p.m., Shukin & the Ramblers at 4:30 p.m., Vino Louden at 6 p.m., blues-rock duo The Cold Stares at 8 p.m. and Matt Keen at 9:30 p.m. $10; includes a souvenir mug. pollyannabrewing.com.

Shakespeare on the Grass: 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at BarleyHaus by Church Street Brewing Company, 500 Park Blvd., Itasca. Overshadowed Theatrical Productions, in partnership with the village of Itasca, presents Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.” Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Food and refreshments. Free with registration: facebook.com/OvershadowedProductions.

German Beer Garden & Summer Concert: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at Merkle Cabin at Spring Valley, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Play backyard games while listening to live music. Pretzels, bratwurst, local craft beer and soda for purchase. Free. parkfun.com

Japanese Lantern Festival: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at Fabyan Japanese Garden, 1925 S. Batavia Ave., Geneva. Decorate Japanese lanterns with memories of loved ones or hopes for the future and release them on the pond in the Fabyan Japanese Garden. At sunset, gather with the group to “light” your lanterns and release them onto the pond. Limited tickets available: ppfv.org.

Zoo Uncorked: Wines & Vines: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Sip fine wines and cocktails during the grand opening of the zoo’s Tropical Forests habitat. 21 and older. Tickets start at $70. brookfieldzoo.org/winesandvines.

Summer Breeze Concert Series: 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. The Rumours will perform. Free. parkfun.com.

Navy Pier Summer Fireworks: 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, and 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Fireworks display set to music. Free. navypier.org/summer-fireworks.

Sunday, Aug. 24

Bike for the Kids: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, at Panton Mill Park, 10 N. Water St., South Elgin. 10th annual charity bike ride to support Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley. Choose your distance to arrive at the festival or join the guided ride with a 7-mile route that starts and ends at Panton Mill Park. Pedal & Play inclusive quarter-mile event at SEBA Park. Food, Kid Zone and games from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wheaton Dad Band performs from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. An adapted bike presentation, Cycling Salute and Pedal Parade, at 12:15 p.m. $50. Register: easterseals.com/dfv

Chicago’s Historic Route 66 Classic Car Show: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, at Historic Route 66, 3800 W. Ogden Ave., Chicago. Car show celebrating the history of America’s most cherished highway and the cars that have driven it. Block party, music festival, car show from noon to 5 p.m. and more. Free for spectators, $25 car registration fee. carsonroute66.com.

Crystal Lake Farmers Market+ At The Dole: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, 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.

See antique, classic and modern cars at the annual Concours d’Elegance Car Show in Geneva Sunday, Aug. 24. | Daily Herald file photo

Geneva Concours d’Elegance: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, in downtown Geneva. Classic car enthusiasts from across the country showcase an array of antique, classic and modern automobiles. Benefits LivingWell Cancer Resource Center. Free. genevaconcours.net.

Scott Smith’s All Animal Expo: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Vendors from the Midwest. $3-$8. allanimalexpo.com.

A Walk In The Park Fine Art Fair: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, at North School Park, 410 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. 80 arts and crafts vendors. Music by guitarist Jack Wilson, art demonstrations, food and treats. Free admission and parking. Presented by the Arlington Heights Art Guild. Free. arlingtonheightsartguild.com

Heirloom Garden Show: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, at Garfield Farm Museum, 3N016 Garfield Road, Campton Hills. Tour the museum’s heirloom gardens and interact with Midwestern growers showcasing their favorite heirloom flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables. $8; $3 for kids 12 and younger. garfieldfarm.org.

St. Charles Plein Air show and sale: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, at Baker Community Center, 101 S. Second St., St. Charles. Art show and sale, with awards at noon. Free. stcharlesartscouncil.org.

Bread & Butter Sunday: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, at the Durant House Museum at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles. Learn about making bread and butter the old-fashioned way. Help churn cream into butter and see old butter molds and stamps on display. $3, $1 for ages 18 and younger. ppfv.org.

Railroad Street Block Party: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, at Duke’s Alehouse parking lot, 110 N. Main St., Crystal Lake. Local bands, food from local eateries, family activities and games for kids. Free. facebook.com/dukesalehouse.

Monday, Aug. 25

Cruise Nights at Willow Creek: 4:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, at Willow Creek Church, parking lot F, 67 E. Algonquin Road, South Barrington. Hosted by the CARS Ministry of Willow Creek Church, this event is open to vintage, classic, custom, muscle, and antique cars and trucks. Food and music. Free. willowcreek.org.

Wednesday, Aug. 27

Bites and Bits Event Series: 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Community Church of Rolling Meadows, 2720 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. Food truck fare and live music. Free. cityrm.org.

South Elgin Summer Concert Series: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Panton Mill Park, 10 N. Water St., South Elgin. Cecy Santana will perform. Food Truck Wednesdays: 6-8 p.m. Free. southelgin.com/pantonmillpark.

Thursday, Aug. 28

Barrington Thursday Night Out: 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, 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

The Rotary Duck Race will take place Sunday, Aug. 31, as part of the Buffalo Grove Days festival in Mike Rylko Community Park. | Courtesy of Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove

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, 1000 Buffalo Grove Road, 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.; and Monday: Blackberry Jam at noon. Free. bgdays.com

Geneva Classic Car Show: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, 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.

Climb inside historic vehicles including the Huey Helicopter Thursday, Aug. 28, at the First Division Museum at Cantigny in Wheaton. | Daily Herald file photo

Steel & Spirits, A Historic Military Vehicle Experience: 6 p.m. Thursday Aug. 28, at First Division Museum, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Climb inside several of the historic vehicles, including the iconic Huey Helicopter. Museum staff will share the stories behind the vehicles and their impact on the 1st Infantry Division. Includes a cocktail or soft drink. For 21 or older; must sign a waiver upon arrival. $45. Register: cantigny.org

Thirsty Thursdays: 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at the Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee. Bon Journeyed will perform a Bon Jovi and Journey experience. Local fare and craft beverages. Bring a lawn chair. Free. eastdundee.net.

Algonquin Summer Concert Series: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at Towne Park, 100 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Reckless will perform. Food trucks (Uncle Cams, El Chido) at 6 p.m. Bring a lawn chair. Algonquin.org/summerconcerts.

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

Shakespeare in the Park: 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 28-30, at Memorial Park Bandshell, 225 Karlskoga Ave., Wheaton. Wheaton College Arena Theater presents Shakespeare’s “A Winter’s Tale.” Puppet show at 6:45 p.m. Concessions available. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Free. wheatonparkdistrict.com/events/shakespeare or wheaton.edu.

Sounds of Summer Concert Series: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at Harmony Park, 7 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Blooze Brothers will perform. Free. vah.com/explore/sounds_of_summer_concerts.php.

Chicago Jazz Festival: Various times Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 28-31, at Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park and locations in Chicago. Showcases Chicago’s local talent alongside national and international jazz artists. Free. For a schedule, see chicago.gov.

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.

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.

Janus Theatre Company’s “School For Lies”: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, through Aug. 31, at Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., Elgin. Additional performance at 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28. David Ive’s comedy transforms Molière’s 17th-century classic “The Misanthrope” into a groovy satire written in witty couplets with physical comedy. $25. janusplays.com

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Let It Be Us wins $750K DCFS contract for foster care adoptions

Posted in Fundraisers, Organizations on August 16, 2025| Leave a Comment »

By Let It Be Us

Let It Be Us, Illinois’ leading nonprofit dedicated to foster care and adoption, has been awarded a $750,000 contract by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to enhance adoption placement rates across the state.

Illinois ranks among the lowest in the nation for foster care adoptions, and this initiative will help connect waiting children with permanent, loving families.

As part of this initiative, Let It Be Us in Barrington will launch Illinois’ “Heart Gallery,” an interactive database showcasing the stories and interests of children in need of adoption.

Additional efforts include an improved online adoption exchange, expanded recruitment events, and enhanced support for families and caseworkers.

For more information or to support Let It Be Us, visit letitbeus.org or call (847) 764-5428.

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Chicago River Swim returns to the city after almost a century

Posted in Fundraisers, Topics Of Interest on August 8, 2025| Leave a Comment »

The Chicago River will have more than kayaks and boats on the water on Sept. 21 when the Chicago River Swim takes place. | Manuel Martinez/WBEZ

As many as 500 swimmers are expected to dive into the Chicago River next month as part of a fundraiser for ALS research and youth education programs.

By Selena Kuznikov | Chicago Sun*Times

Swimmers will dive into the Chicago River next month for the first open water swim in 98 years.

The Chicago River Swim, slated for Sept. 21, is expected to include 500 swimmers, raise funds for ALS research and youth swimming education programs, and highlight efforts to improve the environment in the city.

Swimmers will be able to opt for a 1-mile or 2-mile route down the main stem of the river, starting at the Dearborn Street Bridge and ending at Clark Street Bridge. The swim starts at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 10 a.m. Spectators will be able to watch the swim along the Riverwalk between Lake Street and Clark Street.

A Long Swim, a Barrington-based organization, is hosting the event, which will benefit ALS research at Northwestern University and swim safety education for children in Chicago. Doug McConnell, founder of the organization, said being able to celebrate the city with the swim is “stuff you dream about.”

“This is a victory lap for the city of Chicago,” McConnell said Thursday.

The fundraising event was going to be held in 2024, but organizers announced the event before they secured the permits for it. When the permits were denied, the event was moved to Lake Michigan.

The organization’s permit for the event this year was approved by the city, but it had not yet been issued as of late Thursday, it said. The city did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the event.

The group is also partnering with the USA Swimming Foundation, and U.S. Olympic swimmer Natalie Hinds will be the featured athlete of the event.

More here.

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