
Itasca Fest runs Thursday through Sunday, July 11-14, at Washington Park in Itasca. | John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald
Friday, July 12
Itasca Fest: 6-11 p.m. Thursday, July 11; 6-11:30 p.m. Friday, July 12; noon to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13; and noon to 11 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at Washington Park, 350 Irving Park Road, Itasca. Music, carnival, food, bingo, family entertainment, classic car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Usher Park and more. Music from Form at 7 p.m. Thursday; Boy Band Review at 9 p.m. Friday; Petty Kings at 6 p.m. and ARRA at 9 p.m. Saturday; and Think Floyd at 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Free entry. itascalionsclub.org/ or facebook.com/itascalions.
Fun Day In The Park: 10-11 a.m. Friday, July 12, at Vogelei Park, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Ben Tatar will perform. Free. heparks.org.
Lake County Greek Fest: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, July 12-14, at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 1400 N. O’Plaine Road, Libertyville. Greek food, music and dancing. saintdemetrioslibertyville.com.
Outdoor Movie Nights: 6 p.m. Friday, July 12, at Deer Park Town Center, 20530 N. Rand Road, Deer Park. Preshow activities include face painting, balloon artist, games and more. “Trolls Band Together” starts at 7 p.m. Free. shopdeerparktowncenter.com.
Sounds of Summer Concert Series: 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 12, at Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, 256 E. Palatine Road, Palatine. Blooze Brothers will perform. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Free. palatineparks.org/sounds-of-summer.
Movies Under The Stars: Dusk Friday, July 12, at Willow Stream Park, 651 Old Checker Road, Buffalo Grove. See “Trolls: Band Together.” Concessions available or bring a picnic. Free. bgparks.org.
Saturday, July 13
McHenry Garden Walk: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 13, starting at Master Gardener Demonstration Garden at MCC parking lot C, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake. University of Illinois Extension McHenry County Master Gardeners and MCC host a self-guided drive featuring gardens studded with artwork, edible plots and more in Crystal Lake, Woodstock, Harvard and McHenry. Register: mchenry.edu/gardenwalk.

The Bristol Renaissance Faire is open for the season on Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 2. | Courtesy of the Bristol Renaissance Faire
Bristol Renaissance Faire: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 2, off I-94 at the Illinois/Wisconsin border. Step back in time with food, games, costumes, theme weekends and more. $40 for adults; $15 for kids 5-12; and free for kids 4 and younger. renfair.com/Bristol.
North American Reptile Breeders Conference: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 13, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at the Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. See reptiles from breeders from all over the country, with vendors, reptile talks and more. $15 for adults, $10 for kids 6-12, and free for kids 5 and younger. narbc.com.
Barrington Bourbon and Brew Crawl: 1-5 p.m. Saturday, July 13, from Scratch Pastificio, 135 Park Ave., Barrington. The crawl includes sampling specialty bourbons and local brews at 16 stops throughout Barrington, plus live music. Ages 21 and older. Hosted by the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce. $35. barringtonchamber.com.
Blind Flight Outdoor Beer Tasting: 1-5 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at Carpenter Park, 275 Maple Ave., Carpentersville. Carpentersville Morning Rotary Club hosts a picnic-style craft beer tasting fundraiser. Food for sale and live music. Beer tasting tickets include a tasting glass. Tickets: carpentersvillerotary.org.
Summer Breeze Concert Series: 7 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at the Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, 101 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. The Lovettes will perform. Free. parkfun.com.
Sunday, July 14

Ride for Hope 2024 sets out at 8 a.m. Sunday, July 14, from Moretti’s Ristorante and Pizzeria in Bartlett. | Courtesy of Lisa Haring
Ride for Hope 2024: 8 a.m. Sunday, July 14, at Moretti’s Ristorante and Pizzeria, 1175 W. Lake St., Bartlett. Ninth annual ovarian cancer awareness motorcycle ride and celebration raises money for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. A 50-mile, fully escorted ride begins at 10:30 a.m. with registration from 8-10 a.m. After Party from 1-4 p.m. features lunch and dessert buffet, live music by Bronson Rock, a silent auction, box drawings, Teal Chopper Gift Card raffle, Split the Pot raffle, Teal Marketplace and Survivor’s Tent with LMS Comfort Dogs. $35 in advance; $40 day of the event. rideforhopeil.org.
Heritage Fair Vintage Car Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at the McHenry County History Museum, 6422 Main St., Union. Car show with 50/50 raffle, door prizes, DJ, food vendors, over 15 unique custom trophies and 10 People’s Choice trophies. All makes, models and years are welcome. Register your car at bit.ly/3ISCAbL. Free for spectators. mchenrycountyhistory.org.
Elmhurst Garden Walk & Faire: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 14. The walk showcases private and public gardens along with a boutique in Elmhurst’s Wilder Park. elmhurstgardenclub.org.
Cow Appreciation Day (LINDA!!!): 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at Heritage Farm at Spring Valley, 201 S. Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg. Learn about cows, play games and make a craft. Free. parkfun.com.
Heritage Fair: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at the McHenry County Historical Museum, 6422 Main St., Union. Plant sale, vintage sale, artisan demos, kids’ activities, food vendors and more. The Vintage Car Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. includes a DJ, door prizes and food vendors. Free admission; car entrants can preregister at bit.ly/3ISCAbL to save $5. The first 75 registered cars will receive a goody bag, dash plaque and door prize ticket. mchenrycountyhistory.org.
Wickstrom Lincoln Concert Series: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, July 14, and 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, at the Arboretum of South Barrington, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Pino Farina Band performs on Sunday and Mike & Joe on Wednesday. Food for purchase. Free. shopthearb.com.
Wheeling’s Sounds of Summer Concert Series: 5-6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at Heritage Park Performance Pavilion, 201 Community Blvd., Wheeling. Mariachi Monumental De Mexico performs. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating. Coolers are allowed; no outside alcohol permitted. Soft drinks, water, beer and seltzer for purchase. Free. wheelingparkdistrict.com.
Monday, July 15
Bartlett’s 30th annual National Night Out activities: 9-11 a.m. Monday, July 15, at the Bartlett Metra Lot. Touch-A-Truck and Kids ID event. bartlettil.gov/government/police/national-night-out.
Tuesday, July 16
Wauconda Cruise Nights: 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, at Route 176 and West Mill Street, Wauconda. Cars on display and family-friendly activities. Free to cruisers and spectators. waucondacruisenight.com.
Buffalo Grove Park District Summer Concert Series: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, at Willow Stream Park, 651 Old Checker Road, Buffalo Grove. Prissillas will perform. Food, beer, wine and soft drinks for purchase. Bring blankets and chairs. No outside alcohol allowed. Free. bgparks.org/summer-concert-series.
Crystal Lake Concerts in the Park: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, at Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Drive. 28 Days will perform. Free. For parking locations, see crystallakeparks.org/special-events.
Wednesday, July 17

The Kane County Fair returns to the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles Wednesday through Sunday, July 17-21, with rides, food, a demolition derby, bullriders and more. | Daily Herald File Photo
Kane County Fair: 3-11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, July 17-18; noon to midnight Friday and Saturday, July 19-20; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. 155th annual fair featuring a 4-H show, kids’ events, Miller Lite Soundstage, carnival and more. Grandstand shows: Illinois State Pullers ($10) at 6:30 p.m. Thursday; Professional Championship Bullriders & Cowgirls at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and Demolition Derby ($10) at 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday. Music from Eric Chesser at 7 p.m. July 18; Pino Farina Band at 8 p.m. July 19; Hillbilly Rockstarz at 8:30 p.m. July 20; and Hi Infidelity at 8 p.m. July 21. Pre-fair with carnival only from 3-11 p.m. Wednesday, with $5 admission to the fairgrounds and $32 for unlimited carnival rides. Fair admission: Cash at the gate: $5 on Wednesday and Thursday; $10 for adults, $5 for kids 3-12 Friday through Sunday; and free for kids younger than 3. Seniors over 62 and military with ID admitted free before 5 p.m. Thursday. Season pass: $25. Free parking. kanecountyfair.com.
Food Truck Socials: 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, at Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. A rotating selection of food trucks. lakezurich.org.
Sounds of Summer — Palatine Concert Band: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, at Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, 256 E. Palatine Road, Palatine. Palatine Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Frederick Lowe, will perform. Free. palatineparks.org/sounds-of-summer.
Thursday, July 18
Barrington Thursday Night Out: 4-8 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at Cook and Station streets in downtown Barrington. Barrington Farmers Market, classic cars, live music, family activities and more. Free. barrington-il.gov/events/thursday-night-out.
Music Under the Oaks: 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at Ralph Seyller Memorial Park, 400 E. Jefferson Ave., Hampshire. Local singer/songwriter Nicole Devine opens from 5-6 p.m., with headliner Yankee Cowboy from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Food truck Smash’D. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Free. hampshireparkdistrict.org.

Take a spin on a carnival ride during Vernon Hills Days Thursday through Sunday, July 18-21. | Daily Herald File Photo, 2019
Vernon Hills Days: 6-10 p.m. Thursday, July 18; 6-11 p.m. Friday, July 19; 1-11 p.m. Saturday, July 20; and 1-7 p.m. Sunday, July 21, in Century Park, 1001 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills. Carnival, bingo, bags tournament, kids’ events and fireworks on Thursday. Performances include: The Boy Band Night at 7 p.m. July 18; Alt 101 at 7 p.m. and Everclear at 9 p.m. July 19; The Gingers at 7 p.m. and Steve Augeri at 9 p.m. July 20; and Mike & Joe at 6 p.m. July 21. Carnival wristband specials available. Free entry. vhdays.com.
Sounds of Summer Concert Series: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at Harmony Park, 7 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Petty Kings will perform. Free. vah.com.
Summer Sounds on the Green Concert Series: 7 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at Village Green, 5510 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. American Cash will perform. Bring a picnic, coolers, food, drinks, chairs, blankets and small tables. Seating is first-come, first-served. Food and beverages for purchase. Free. hoffmanestatesarts.com/summer-concert-series.
Harper College Summer Concert Series: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at the Drs. Kenneth and Catherine Ender Pavilion on Harper’s campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Guitar alumni concert. harpercollege.edu.
Find many more opportunities here.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Read Full Post »