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Have a blast: Celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, festivals and more in the suburbs

Posted in Elections, Entertainment, Politics on June 26, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Members of the Rolling Meadows High School marching band fly their flags during the Frontier Days Fourth of July Parade in Arlington Heights. | Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com, 2024

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

As the Fourth of July approaches, so do themed events throughout the suburbs, including festivals, parades, fireworks displays, walks and runs, concerts and more. Here’s where and when you can celebrate.

Saturday, June 27

Carpentersville Independence Day Parade: 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at Carpenter Park, 275 Maple Ave., Carpentersville. Annual parade starts at South Lincoln Avenue and Main Street, continues east on Main, south on Washington Avenue to Spring Street, east on Spring to Carpenter Park. cville.org.

Stars ‘N Stripes Fest: 4-10 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at Cary-Grove Park, Three Oaks Road and North First Street, Cary. Food trucks, beer and hard seltzer sales, kids’ inflatables and activities and music from Hello Weekend. Fireworks at dusk. Free admission; parking is $20 per vehicle at the park, Cary-Grove High School, or Sunburst Bay. Swimming at Sunburst Bay Aquatic Center costs $10 for Sunburst Bay members and $15 for nonmembers. carypark.com.

Dundee Township fireworks: 6-10 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at Meadowdale Park, Besinger Drive and Maple Avenue, Carpentersville. Entertainment, food vendors and visit with community partners from 6-9 p.m., with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Fireworks may begin 30 minutes earlier or later, depending on weather conditions. Rain date: June 28. dtpd.org.

Sunday, June 28

Freedom Car Show: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 28, in the Metra parking lot, between Onieda and Bartlett avenues, in downtown Bartlett. Trophies will be awarded for Best of Show, Top 10 and People’s Choice; trophy presentations at 3 p.m. Free for spectators. Hosted by 120Live Bartlett. Register: hanover-township.org.

Wednesday, July 1

Frontier Days Festival: 5-11 p.m. Wednesday, July 1; 5 p.m. to midnight Thursday, July 2; noon to midnight Friday and Saturday, July 3-4; and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 5, at Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights. Carnival, Fourth of July parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, entertainment, food, soccer 3v3, Stampede Run/Walk, marketplace, family activities and more. Drone show featuring 400 drones at 9:35 p.m. Thursday. Main stage lineup: 7th heaven at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press at 7:30 p.m. Thursday; Soul Asylum at 8 p.m. Friday; Yachtley Crew at 8 p.m. Saturday; and American English at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Frontier Stage lineup: Uncle Sam at 5:30 p.m. and Exit 147 at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday; Backdated at 5:45 p.m. and Blackberry Jam at 9:30 p.m. Thursday; FaceNTime at 4 p.m., The PriSSillas at 6 p.m. and ARRA at 9:30 p.m. Friday; The Murley Rock Band at 4 p.m., TRIADD at 6 p.m. and Pino Farina Band at 9:30 p.m. Saturday; and Line Dancing with Boot Scootin’ Judy at 5 p.m. Sunday. Free. frontierdays.org.

Northwest Fourth-Fest: 5-11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, July 1-2; noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 3-4; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 5, at 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. Carnival midway, kids’ zone, food and live entertainment Friday and Saturday; fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Friday; parade at 9 a.m. Saturday and more. Music includes Hello Weekend at 5:30 p.m. and 7th heaven at 8:30 and 10 p.m. Friday, and David’s House at 5:30 p.m. and Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press at 8:30 and 10 p.m. Saturday. Free. northwestfourthfest.com.

Elgin Symphony Orchestra’s Patriotic Brass: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, at the Robert G. Soule Amphitheater at Citizens Park, 511 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington. For America’s 250th birthday, the concert highlights the ESO’s brass and percussion sections with a program of patriotic and popular favorites. Bring a picnic basket and lawn chairs. Free. elginsymphony.org.

Thursday, July 2

Carnival patrons ride the Disk-O during the Bartlett Fourth of July Festival. | Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com, 2024

Bartlett Fourth of July Fest: 3-11 p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 2-3; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 4; and 3-9 p.m. Sunday, July 5, in Apple Orchard Park, southwest corner of Stearns and Bartlett Road, Bartlett. The carnival will be open to those with disabilities from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, July 2; registration required. Four nights of live music: Thursday: Anthem from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and 7th heaven from 9-11 p.m.; Friday: Mellencougar from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Julian Jumpin’ Perez from 8-11 p.m.; Saturday: Smokin’ Gunz from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Icons of Country from 8-11 p.m.; and Sunday: Modern Day Romeos from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and Hairbanger’s Ball from 7-9 p.m. Skydivers at 7 p.m. Friday. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Parade at 1 p.m. Sunday. bartlett4thofjuly.com.

Lakeside Festival: 3-11 p.m. Thursday, July 2, and noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 3-4, and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 5, at The Dole, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. 14 bands over four days on two outdoor stages, food, carnival rides, beer garden, superhero characters, kids’ decorated bike parade, kids’ ice-cream social, cornhole tournament and more. Fireworks at dusk Sunday. Music lineup: Thursday: Dangerous Joes at 3 and 7 p.m., Tennessee Whiskey at 5 p.m., and Thunderstruck at 8:30 p.m.; Friday: Southbound at 1 p.m., Petty Kings at 4 p.m., Pino Farina Band at 6 p.m., and Hi Infidelity at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday: Judson Brown at 1 p.m., All American Throwbacks at 5 p.m., The Jolly Ringwalds at 7 p.m., and Modern Day Romeos at 8:30 p.m.; and Sunday: Yacht Rock-Ettes at noon, Crystal Lake Strikers at 2:30 p.m., Disco Circus at 3:30 p.m., Jonny Lyons & The Pride at 5:30 p.m., and Icons of Country at 6:45 p.m. Gate admission: $10 for 13 and older; $5 for 65 and older; and free for kids younger than 12 and active military with ID. Note: cashless payment. thedole.org/the-fest.

Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest: 5-11 p.m. Thursday, July 2; noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 3-4; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 5, at Palatine Community Park, 250 E. Wood St., Palatine. Fireworks at dusk July 3, live bands, food vendors, parade July 4, carnival, fest expo July 4-5 and more. Free. hometown-fest.com.

Rockin’ in the USA Fourth of July Weekend Festival: 7-10 p.m. Thursday, July 2; 6-10 p.m. Friday, July 3; and 2-10 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Park entertainment district, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Live music from tribute bands, including Listen to the Music, Boy Band Night, Super Diamond, Garth Guy, Toby Keith Made in America and Hillbilly Rockstarz. Also, festive competitions, including a patriotic costume contest and burrito-, apple pie- and hot dog-eating contests. A special appearance by the Honor Guard on July 4. Free. parkwaybankpark.com.

Sleepy Hollow Fourth of July fireworks: 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 2, at Sabatino Park, Thorobred Lane, Sleepy Hollow. Parking opens at 7 p.m.; $20 per car donation. If rained out, fireworks will move to Sunday, July 5. Free. sleepyhollowil.org.

Friday, July 3

Wauconda Community Fireworks: 6 p.m. Friday, July 3, at Cook Park, 600 N. Main St., Wauconda. Hosted by the village and Wauconda Park District. Music and concessions starting at 6 p.m. and fireworks at dusk over Bangs Lake. Rain date: July 5. Free. wauconda-il.gov.

Hometown Fest Fireworks: Dusk Friday, July 3, at Community Park, 262 E. Palatine Road, Palatine. Free. palatinejaycees.org/hometown-fest.

Saturday, July 4

Barrington All-Star Brass Quintet: 8:30 a.m. Saturday, July 4, at Barrington’s White House, 145 W. Main St., Barrington. The ensemble will perform classic American standards and patriotic music on the porch before the Independence Day parade. Free. BarringtonsWhiteHouse.com/events.

Barrington Fourth of July Parade: 10 a.m. Saturday, July 4, on Main Street in Barrington. Steps off at Barrington High School. Free. barrington-il.gov.

Barrington Fourth of July Fireworks: 9:30-10 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Barrington High School, 616 W. Main St., Barrington. Free. barrington-il.gov.

America 250 celebration: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at The Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee. Family-friendly fun, food, live music, community activities, and a hometown Pie Baking Competition, Kids Coloring Contest, balloon twisting, face painting, fireworks and more. Free. eastdundee.net.

Sleepy Hollow Fourth of July festival: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Sabatino Park, Thorobred Lane, Sleepy Hollow. One-mile fun run at 8 a.m. Fishing derby from 9-11 a.m. at Lake Sharon. Car show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a $15 exhibitor donation for Illinois Special Olympics. Food and drinks from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bill Ritchie Memorial Parade at 11:30 a.m. Fest rain date: July 5. Fireworks are at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 2, with $20 per car donation. Rain date: July 5. sleepyhollowil.org.

Allison Smith of Elgin and her dog Dolan participate in last year’s Elgin pet parade, which took place just before the Fourth of July parade in Elgin. | Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com, 2025

Elgin Fourth of July Parade: 9 a.m. Saturday, July 4. The route runs on Douglas Avenue, from Slade Avenue to city hall, 150 Dexter Court, Elgin. Third annual Pet Parade at 9 a.m. starting at the NENA Butterfly Garden at Douglas Avenue and Ann Street, and continues along the parade route to Douglas and Highland. Register at elginil.gov.

Frontier Days Fourth of July Parade: 10 a.m. Saturday, July 4. Steps off from Dunton and Oakton streets, Arlington Heights. Parade travels south on Dunton to Miner and then east to Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner St. Theme: “Celebrating 50 years — Frontier Days Festival.” Kids 4-12, accompanied by an adult, can check in at Olive and Highland streets for the decorated bike parade at 10 a.m. No Big Wheels. Free. FrontierDays.org.

Hawthorn Woods Fourth of July Parade: 10 a.m. Saturday, July 4, on Lagoon Drive, Hawthorn Woods, and continues to the village hall. Followed by a flag-raising ceremony. Free. vhw.org/524/Parade.

Lake Zurich Independence Day Celebration: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Food, live music, fireworks and more. Includes Taste of Summer food trucks, Giant Bubble Show at 3 p.m., performance by Kelly Daniels at 7:15 p.m., and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Free admission, $5 BYOB wristbands available. lakezurich.org.

Hometown Fest Parade: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 4, in Palatine. The parade proceeds south on Cedar Street to Slade Street, east on Slade to Brockway, north on Brockway to Wood Street and east on Wood to Community Park. Free. palatinejaycees.org/hometown-fest.

Elgin’s Fourth of July Concert and Fireworks: 5-10 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave., Elgin. Live music, food trucks and drinks, family-friendly games, a buttermaking activity, and a pie-eating contest sponsored by Herb’s Bakery at 7:30 p.m. Band lineup: Petty Betty from 5-6 p.m., Journey From the Heart from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and Jump, America’s Van Halen Experience from 8-9:20 p.m.; VIP Lounge Area for $25 for age 12 or older; free for 11 or under with paid adult. Fireworks around 9:20 p.m. elginil.gov.

Buffalo Grove Fourth of July Fireworks & Celebration: 7 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Willow Stream Park, 651 Old Checker Road, Buffalo Grove. The Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band will perform. Fireworks show at around 9 p.m. Free. vbg.org.

Bartlett 4th of July Fireworks: 9:30-11 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Stearns and Bartlett roads, Bartlett. Free. bartlett4thofjuly.com.

Sunday, July 5

Crystal Lake Independence Day Parade: 1 p.m. Sunday, July 5, starting at 100 W. Woodstock St. and continuing down Dole Avenue to the Lakeside Festival grounds. Celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Sponsored by the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, the city of Crystal Lake and the Crystal Lake Lions Club. clchamber.com.

Find more here.

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‘This is huge’: MLB selects McHenry Outdoor Theater as 1 of only 4 drive-ins in country for America250 celebration

Posted in Entertainment, Lake & McHenry County Scanner, Nostalgia on June 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Dylan Gallardo and Hailey Koenig, both of Algonquin, play catch before the movies start on a recent weeknight at the McHenry Outdoor Theater in Lakemoor where Major League Baseball will host an America250 event July 4. | Provided Photo

By LMCS Staff Report | Lake & McHenry County Scanner

Major League Baseball has selected the McHenry Outdoor Theater to be one of only four drive-ins in the United States to host an America250 celebration on the Fourth of July.

Festivities at the McHenry Outdoor Theater on July 4 will include a showing of the classic childhood baseball film “The Sandlot,” a live screening of the evening’s Cubs vs. Cardinals game, Ballpark Bites, baseball-themed activities like wiffle ball, a pop fly scramble and virtual batting cages.

A fireworks display will cap off the night.

“From a community standpoint, this is huge,” McHenry Outdoor Theater President of Marketing and Promotions Joe Cicero. “To be recognized by Major League Baseball doesn’t happen every day.”

The Major League Baseball (MLB) is in the midst of a multi-tiered America250 campaign and selected McHenry Outdoor Theater to be one of four sites for the Fourth of July Summer Drive-in Celebration.

Dylan Gallardo and Hailey Koenig, both of Algonquin, play catch before the movies start on a recent weeknight at the McHenry Outdoor Theater in Lakemoor where Major League Baseball will host an America250 event July 4. | Provided Photo

The others are the Delsea, Swan and Paramount drive-ins, which are respectively located in Vineland, New Jersey; Blue Ridge, Georgia; and Paramount, California.

“What’s more American than baseball and drive-ins?” said Scott Dehn, owner of the McHenry Outdoor Theater in Lakemoor.

Article continues here.

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Reminder: Celebrate America 250 with The Land We Love Run to Support Folds of Honor

Posted in Entertainment, Folds of Honor, Fundraisers, Press Release, Resident Spotlights, The Land We Love Run, VBHPD on June 7, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Neighbors & Friends –

Join us as we kick off the America 250 celebration 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 on Sunday, June 28, 2026, with the annual “The Land We Love Run” through Barrington Hills! Brought to you by the Village of Barrington Hills and Cuba Township The Land We Love Run starts at 7:30 am from Cuba Township, and offers 5k & 10k runs and a 2 mile walk.  Come out to enjoy our beautiful Village and to support our Heroes!

Our 5k and 10k 🏃‍♂️🏃🏼‍♀️ courses are certified and professionally chip timed.

Compete in the Team Competition 🙌 Put together your team of 3 or more for camaraderie, bragging rights, and to compete for fun prizes!

Police 👮🏻 monitored routes with age-based awards 🥇, and water/aid stations. Stay for the award ceremony, refreshments and fun following the run.

All proceeds to benefit Folds of Honor – Chicago, a National organization with a local presence that provides scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled Service Members and First Responders. Donations are also being accepted to the Cuba Township Food Pantry, addressing Barrington-area residents’ food insecurity needs.

It’s a HILL of a RUN!
Hope to see you and your friends and colleagues on June 28th! 

You don’t run? Consider volunteering or sponsorship!

Sponsorship levels are:

  • America 250 Sponsor $2,500 Recognition on Website, Logo on T-shirts, Race Banner, American 250 Banner, 10 Race Entries, Space for Table/Tent
  • 1776 Sponsor $1,776 Logo on T-shirts, Race Banner, 5 Race Entries
  • Liberty Sponsor $1,000 Logo on Race Banner
  • Freedom Sponsor $500 Logo on Water Station Signs

***SPONSORSHIP MUST BE CONFIRMED BY MAY 27th TO GUARANTEE LOGO ON T-SHIRTS***

Click for SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION & FORM

We appreciate you forwarding this invitation to any who might be interested in participating and/or sponsorship.

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‘Something spectacular’: Towns to go all out on July 4 for America’s 250th year

Posted in Daily Herald, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Entertainment, Topics Of Interest on June 7, 2026| Leave a Comment »

By Katlyn Smith | Daily Herald

A fireworks and drone show. A Sousa-heavy municipal band season. A field of flags, many tagged with handwritten notes for those who served.

Strike up the band

The brass and percussion sections of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra promise a “thunderous performance” at Citizens Park amphitheater in Barrington the evening of July 1. The Barrington Lions Club will cook up its Brat Tent Festival from July 1 to 4. The Barrington All-Star Brass Quintet will perform from the stately porch of Barrington’s own White House before the Independence Day parade.

“Barrington is a very patriotic town, and really the highlight of our event season any year is our Fourth of July parade,” said Clancy Potts, the village’s events manager.

Article continues here.

Editorial notes: Barrington 4th of July Parade – “The parade steps off at 10AM from Barrington High School on Saturday, July 4. More details about signing up your organization or business can be found here!”

4th of July Fireworks – “The Barrington Community Fireworks display begins at 9:30 p.m. from Barrington High School and can be seen from many locations around town.”

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Explore the Forest at Crabtree Nature Center tomorrow

Posted in Crabtree Nature Center, Entertainment, FPDCC on May 30, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Source

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Explore the Fox River by kayak

Posted in County, Entertainment, Kane, Topics Of Interest on May 27, 2026| Leave a Comment »

By Lauren Swanson, Forest Preserve District of Kane County

Join the Forest Preserve District of Kane County in touring our local waterways in a paddling adventure!

The 2026 kayaking series begins with a lake-based basic paddling skills class, followed by shorter and less-strenuous river sessions for beginners. As the summer progresses, choose increasingly longer and more technical paddles for intermediate skill levels. Each session, participants will receive dry-land instruction on basic kayaking techniques from an experienced instructor.

Afterward, participants will take to the water for a naturalist-led exploration of the fascinating local ecology. Participants meet and park at the take-out location and are shuttled to the put-in location. Participants may choose any number of sessions; you can take one, two or all six.

For all sessions, participants must be 16 years or older and able to:

  1. Hold their breath under water while wearing a properly fitted life jacket;
  2. Independently turn from a face-down to a face-up position, keeping head above water;
  3. Effectively communicate with the instructor and other participants; and,
  4. Manage all mobility and personal care independently, or with the assistance of a companion.

Dates and meeting locations for sessions are below:

  • Session 1: (Novice Skills Training; Less than 1-mile paddle): 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 30; meeting at Oakhurst Forest Preserve, 1680 Fifth Ave., Aurora
  • Session 2: (Beginner; 4-mile paddle): 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 7; meeting at Voyageur Landing Forest Preserve, 50 Airport Road, Elgin
  • Session 3: (Beginner; 4.5-mile paddle): 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 18; meeting at Ferson Creek Park, off Route 31, east of Wildrose Springs Drive, St. Charles
  • Session 4: (Beginner; 4.5-mile paddle): 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2; meeting at Ferson Creek Park, off Route 31, east of Wildrose Springs Drive in St. Charles
  • Session 5: (Intermediate; 7-mile paddle): 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5; meeting at Voyageur Landing Forest Preserve; 50 Airport Road, Elgin
  • Session 6: (Intermediate; 6 miles paddle with portage): 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10; meeting at McCullough Park, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora

The fee for a single kayak for Session 1 is $69 per person and includes use of kayak, personal flotation device and paddle; it is $89 per person for Sessions 2-6. If you provide your own kayak and equipment, the fee is $45 per person, per session, for sessions 2-6. All fees include shuttle service.

Advance registration is required at least one week prior to the program, with payment required at the time of registration.

To register, visit kaneforest.com/register. Rain will not stop a paddle, but trips may be canceled (with full refund) due to lightning, low air/water temps, or unsafe water levels. For more information, visit kaneforest.com or find the Forest Preserve District on social media by searching @forestpreserve.

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Editorial: What’s really at stake in the Pritzker-Johnson cold war

Posted in Chicago Tribune, ComEd Four, Commodius Maximus, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Dumb and Dumber, Entertainment, Ethics, OP/Ed, Politics, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, Scott Stantis, Simple Minds, Springfield, Taxes on May 26, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for Sunday, May 24, 2026 on the fight between Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson over the Bears stadium. | Scott Stantis/For the Chicago Tribune

By The Editorial Board | Chicago Tribune

As we witness the current dysfunction between Chicago City Hall and Springfield, we easily forget that for most of the past 60 years Illinois governors were Republicans while Chicago mayors were Democrats.

There was some tension in those relationships. But for the most part those GOP governors and Chicago mayors cooperated effectively on matters of importance to Chicago. Chicago mayors — for the bulk of that time period, their last names were Daley — understood how to prioritize their requests to Springfield for assistance to ensure they could get to “yes.” And GOP governors — Jim Thompson in the 1980s, Jim Edgar for much of the ‘90s and then George Ryan in the early 2000s — understood that a growing and economically strong Chicago was a boon for the entire state.

During Illinois’ brutal budget wars of the 2010s, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic Mayor Rahm Emanuel were frequently at odds on a host of issues. But everyone understood the real warring parties at the time were Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan. For all the verbal broadsides, no one ever believed Rauner and Emanuel, who were friends for years before that era, couldn’t communicate with each other reasonably even if striking deals was challenging.

Which bring us to right now.

What is there to say about the relationship between Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker, both Democrats?

What relationship? There doesn’t appear to be any.

The editorial continues here.

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Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony Today

Posted in Education, Entertainment, The Greatest Generation, Topics Of Interest on May 25, 2026| Leave a Comment »

“Honor our nation’s heroes at Barrington’s annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony on Monday, May 25.

The parade will step off at 10:30 a.m. from the Veterans Memorial on Park Avenue. It will proceed west on Main Street, turn left on Dundee Avenue, and then head right into Evergreen Cemetery.

A ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery will follow the parade at 11 a.m. Come together with the community to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed for our nation”

Source: Village of Barrington

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The annual Barrington Art Fair is this weekend

Posted in Entertainment on May 22, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Plan your day at the Barrington Art Festival!

“Welcome the return of summer at the 16th annual Barrington Art Festival, Memorial Day Weekend! Start your family or friend’s day downtown with coffee and breakfast, then soak in unique art from 125+ artists at this long-cherished community tradition.

Join live painting classes, face painting, bubbles, jugglers, caricatures, and a creative stop in the Kids Art Zone. Break for lunch at your favorite local spot, or enjoy a cold beer, lemonade and delicious snacks at the fest. Be sure to look for Kid Friendly Tents and Live Art Demo signs to get interactive with the artists.  Barrington’s great restaurants, cafes and retail stores are open all weekend.

  • Treat yourself to 125+ original artists & live music
  • Enjoy free entry and easy, free street parking
  • Indulge in a beverage and tasty food
  • Take a live painting class at the fest!
  • Stop in the Kids Art Zone – play art fest bingo, spin art, sand sculpture, coloring, drawing & more
  • Become living art in the Face Painting tent!
  • Get your steps in – accessible and easy to walk!
  • Steps from the Barrington Metra Station”

The fair is located at South Cook & Station Streets.

Click here for more info.

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Rookie suburban mayors navigate growth, conflict and change during first year

Posted in BACOG, Daily Herald, Elections, Entertainment, Politics, Real Estate, Topics Of Interest on May 17, 2026| 1 Comment »

Barrington Village President Mike Moran is focusing on revitalizing the village’s infrastructure during his first term. | John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com

By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald

The suburbs saw significant turnover in municipal leadership after the 2025 election.

Eight new leaders assumed the helm of their communities in the Northwest suburbs and Lake County, while 12 took over in DuPage and Kane counties.

Now that these first-term mayors and village presidents are celebrating their anniversaries, many are looking back on a year faced with challenges as diverse as the communities they serve — from budget shocks and staff shake-ups to landing an NFL team.

A big vision for a small town

Barrington Village President Mike Moran, who succeeded longtime President Karen Darch after five years as a trustee and with a background as a trucking firm owner, said there was a learning curve. But he sees the new job as an opportunity to put his stamp on the village, and that has meant focusing on the town’s revitalization.

“How do we rebuild our infrastructure? How do we address those infrastructure needs that are desperate — roads, sewers, wastewater treatment, water systems,” he said.

Moran is especially focused on downtown upgrades. The village is completing a downtown streetscape project, has expanded the communications team and hired a business development staffer. It also has launched a social media campaign called “Where is President Moran” highlighting local businesses.

He also is working to upgrade the village’s public profile — saying “Barrington is open for business” — and to position the community as a hub for surrounding areas, emphasizing that Barrington serves as a church, bar, restaurant and grocery center for nearby towns such as Barrington Hills and Inverness.

Read the full unedited article here.

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