June
39TH ANNUAL ROSELLE LIONS ROSE FESTIVAL: More than 50 rides and attractions, a beer garden, music and food vendors. Country, rock, and R&B bands perform nightly at the beer garden and on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. 6-11 p.m. June 2; noon-midnight June 3, 4; Free admission; Roselle Train Station, Irving Park Rd., west of Highway 53, Roselle. 630-289-6021.
RHYTHM & ROOTS FESTIVAL: Music, dance, folk tales, crafts and other customs of faraway places are featured. Noon-4 p.m. June 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30, July 1, 2, 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, 28-30, Aug. 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27; $7 adults, $3.50 children; Brookfield Zoo, 1st Ave. and 31st St., Brookfield. 708-485-0263.
THE WINNETKA CHILDREN’S FAIR: Kid-friendly entertainment includes kiddie rides, games, arts and crafts, petting zoo and “Peter Pan” by Winnetka Children’s Theatre. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. June 2, 3; free admission; Winnetka Village Green, Elm St., between Sheridan and Green Bay Rds., Winnetka. 847-446-4432.
NORTHBROOK ANNUAL PARK FEST: Free concerts featuring jazz, rock and swing bands take place every Tuesday from June 6-27; booths manned by chefs from local restaurants provide food. 6:30 p.m. June 6, 13, 20, 27; free; Village Green Gazebo, Shermer Rd. and Meadow St., Northbrook. 847-291-2995.
ST. FABIAN FAMILY FEST AND CARNIVAL: Family fun includes rides, games, bingo, food, beer garden and business expo on the parish grounds. 6-10 p.m. June 7-9; 1-11 p.m. June 10, 11; free; St. Fabian Church, 83rd and Oketo Sts., Bridgeview. 708-599-1110.
ELMFEST 2000: ElmFest features carnival rides, food booths, a children’s playground area and two stages with family shows and music. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. June 9-11; free; Downtown Elmhurst, York Rd. and First St.. 630-834-6060.
FOREST PARK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SUMMERFEST 2000: This family fest features pony rides, free musical entertainment, a petting zoo, beer and food tent, bingo and arts and crafts show. Noon-10 p.m. June 10, 11; free; Downtown Forest Park, 7400 Madison St., Forest Park. 708-366-2543.
KIDS EXPO 2000: Games, petting zoo, food, a kids’ garage sale and shows. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 10; Darien Community Park, Plainfield and Clarendon Hills Rd.s, Darien. 630-655-6400.
NORTHBROOK PARK DISTRICT 2000 FEST: International games and crafts; ongoing mainstage music shows and roving entertainment including Ballet Folkloric Mexico, The Lovin’ Spoonful, African Drum & Dance, Chicago Rovers, Scottish bagpipes and more. 1-6 p.m. June 10, 11; free; Village Green Park, Shermer and Walters, Northbrook. 847-291-2960.
A DAY IN OUR VILLAGE: Oak Park fest features music, food court, local business and community booths, family games. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. June 11; free; Scoville Park, Oak Park Ave. and Lake St., Oak Park. 708-524-6766.
GOLDEN RULE DAY: A blast to the past as kids visit an 1890s schoolhouse, learn how to make ice cream the old-fashioned way, compete in a spelling bee and play turn-of-the-century games. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 11; Aurora residents: adults $3.75 and kids 2-12, $3.25; non-resident adults, $7.50 and non-resident children $6.50; Blackberry Farm’s Pioneer Village, 100 S. Barnes Rd., Aurora. 630-892-1550.
VASA SCANDINAVIAN MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL: A Swedish Children’s Day picnic featuring traditional foods — including potato pancakes and herring — costumes, parades, bake sale and ring dancing. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. June 11; $5, $3 children; Vasa Park, Route 31, Elgin. 773-631-3406.
LOCKPORT OLD CANAL DAYS: A parade kicks off the weekend at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Free wagon rides, arts and crafts show, flea market, beer garden, food booths, a carnival and ongoing entertainment are featured. 6:30 p.m.-midnight June 16; 10-midnight June 17, 18; free; Canal Days grounds, Route 171 and Route 7, Lockport. 815-838-4744.
WARRENVILLE ROCK BOTTOM FEST: Three nights of modern music and art, unique arts and crafts. 5-10 p.m. June 16; 3-11 p.m. June 17, 18; $5 suggested donation; AMC Cantera 30 Theatres, 28250 Diehl Rd., Warrenville. 773-868-3010.
CHICAGO HIGHLAND GAMES AND SCOTTISH FESTIVAL: Bagpipers, rugby tournament, Highland athletics, sheep herding demo, kids’ games and craft activities, mini-golf, Highland dancing, Scottish foods and beer. 8:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. June 17; $10 adults, $8 seniors, $1 children, $10 for ages 10 and up; $8 for seniors; $1 for kids under 10; Oak Brook Polo Grounds, 31st St. just west of York Rd., Oak Brook. 708-442-7293.
SWEDISH DAY: Scandinavian entertainment, dancing, traditional foods, children’s games and crafts. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. June 18; $4, under 12 free; Good Templar Park, 528 Eastside Dr., Geneva. 630-543-8909.
DICK TRACY DAYS: Fest includes a band concert, farmer’s market, family block party on Main St., entertainment, ending with a parade at 1 p.m. June 25 and drum and bugle corps competition at 6 p.m. June 25. 7-9 p.m. June 21; 8 a.m.-8 p.m. June 22, 24; 6-10 p.m. June 23; 1-10 p.m. June 25; free; drum and bugle pageant is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and ages 6 to 12, children under 5 free; Woodstock Town Square, Woodstock. 815-338-2436.
FUN FEST ’00: The ninth annual fest features a variety of food vendors, carnival rides, bingo, beer garden, cash raffle and nightly entertainment. 6-10 p.m. June 21-25; Our Lady of Ransom, Greenwood and Normal Aves., Niles. 847-823-2550.
LONG GROVE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 23, 24; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. June 25; $5-$10; Downtown Long Grove, Old McHenry and Robert Parker Coffin Rds., Long Grove. 847-634-0888.
BRISTOL RENAISSANCE FAIR: 19 stages of entertainment, full armor jousts, traditional fare, kid’s kingdom and roving entertainers help recreate life in Elizabethan times. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. June 24, 25, July 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30, Aug. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20; $16.50 adults, $7.50 children; Bristol Renaissance Faire, 12550 120th Ave., Kenosha, Wis. 847-395-7773.
GREEKFEST: Greek food, children’s games and face painting, live music by the Levendes, Greek dancers, bingo, raffle and cash bar. 3-11 p.m. June 24; noon-10:30 p.m. June 25; St. Demetrios Hellenic Orthodox Church, 7021 Hohman Ave., Hammond, Ind. 219-932-7347.
NORTHBROOK KIDS’ FEST 2000: Children’s entertainment, including a ventriloquist, juggler and fire-eater and a kid’s flea market. 10:30 a.m. June 24, July 22, Aug. 12; free; Village Green, 1810 Walters Ave., Northbrook. 847-291-2995.
SUNSHINE FOOD & MUSIC FEST: Adult-alternative outdoor music fest, with national entertainment including Dave Mason. 1-11 p.m. June 24; $20 at door, $15 in advance; Lake County (Ind.) Fairgrounds, Greenwood & Court Sts., Crown Point, Ind. 219-938-9001.WILMETTE ANNUAL SIDEWALK SALE AND COMMUNITY FAIR: Live musical entertainment, children’s activities, rides and games, raffle and food court. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 24; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 25; free; The Village Center, Wilmette. 847-251-3800.
MADE IN THE U.S. SPARKLING WINE FESTIVAL: The nation’s largest sparkling wine festival featuring a wine-tasting open house with live entertainment and light food. 7-10 p.m. June 29; $25; Pops Highwood, 214 Green Bay Rd., Highwood. 773-472-1000.
July
TASTE OF LOMBARD: Carnival rides, beer garden, family entertainment, bingo, arts and crafts show, business and community expos, food booths, fireworks at dusk on Sunday, entertainment includes Big People at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, and .38 Special at 9:30 p.m. Saturday. 5-11 p.m. June 28-30, July 3, 4; noon-midnight July 1, 2; Madison Meadow Park, 600 E. Madison St., Lombard. 630-932-4812.
LISLE EYES TO THE SKIES FESTIVAL: Festival includes balloon rides, carnival, food and entertainment. June 29-July 4, Lisle Community Park, Lisle. 630-575-9798.
FIRST FOLIO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL: Under-the-stars productions of “Romeo and Juliet” (June 30-July 29) and “Much Ado About Nothing” (Aug. 6-Sept. 3) by professional players. Concessions available. 8:15 p.m. June 30, July 1, 2, 5-9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-30, Aug. 2-6, 9-13, 16-20, 23-27, 30, 31, Sept. 1-3; $20 adults, $17 seniors, students; Peabody Estate at Mayslake, 31st St. and Ill. Hwy. 83, Oak Brook. 630-986-8067.
NAPERVILLE RIBFEST 2000: Chefs cook their favorite rib recipes, free musical entertainment, performance stage nightly, children’s activities, fireworks 9:30 p.m. Sunday evening. 5-10 p.m. June 30, July 3; noon-10 p.m. July 1, 2, 4; $4; free after 6 p.m. Sunday; Knoch Park, West St. and Martin Ave., Naperville. 630-848-5000.
WAUKEGAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL: Celebrating cultural diversity with entertainment, children’s activities, food, American Independence Parade at 1 p.m. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. July 2; Bowen Park, Greenwood and Sheridan Rds., Waukegan. 847-360-4762.
AURORA FOURTH OF JULY: Parade starts at Benton and River St.s traveling east on Benton at 10 a.m., patriotic concert scheduled for evening, then fireworks at dusk. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. July 4; North River St. Park, River St., 1 block east of Route 31, Aurora. 630-844-3640.
ST. NECTARIOS GREEKFEST: Greek foods and pastries, Greek music and dancing and a taverna. 5 p.m.-midnight July 7; 3 p.m.-midnight July 8, 9; $2; St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church, 133 S. Roselle Rd., Palatine. 847-358-5170.
ST. SOPHIA GREEK FEST: Greek food, pastries, games, crafters and dancing blend together for three days of fun. 5-11 p.m. July 7; noon-11 p.m. July 8, 9; $2, ages 11 and under free; St. Sophia Church, 525 Church Rd., Elgin. 847-888-2822.
WINDMILL CITY FEST: A downtown festival with music, family entertainment, games, a pet parade, food vendors, a bake sale, arts and crafts, a garage-rummage sale, floating green gold challenge, farmer’s market and 10K run. 9 a.m.-11:30 p.m. July 7, 8; free; Downtown Batavia, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia. 630-879-5235.
8TH ANNUAL BLUES, JAZZ, AND ARTS ON THE RIDGE FESTIVAL: Blues, jazz and R&B performers, including Kenny Neal, the Love Dogs and Otis Taylor on Saturday and Ronnie Baker Brooks on Sunday, entertain at this juried arts and crafts fair; children’s activities and food booths. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. July 8, 9; free; Munster Town Hall, 1005 Ridge Rd., Munster, Ind. 219-836-5549.
BROOKFEST: Traditional family fest featuring carnival rides, midway attractions and food. Music by Lonnie Brooks on Thursday, Davey Jones on Friday. 6-10 p.m. July 13, 14; 3-11 p.m. July 15; 2-10 p.m. July 16; $2, except Thursday, which is free; J.C. Ehlert Park, Elm and Gerritsen Aves., Brookfield. 773-868-3010.
ANNUAL BASTILLE DAY FESTIVAL: The menu features French champagne and pates, cheeses and desserts. Live music will be performed on the jazz club side and bar side. 5 p.m.-2 a.m. July 14; $5 cover charge; Pops Highwood, 214 Green Bay Rd., Highwood. 847-266-1313.
TASTE AND TOUCH OF PALATINE: Sponsored by the Palatine Chamber of Commerce. More than 100,000 people attended last year’s festival. This year’s event will feature more than 100 vendors. July 14-16. Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Rd., Palatine. 847-359-7200.
GREEK FOOD FEST OF NILES: Large selection of Greek food, appetizers and pastries. Includes Greek music, dancers, films and cooking demonstrations. 6 p.m.-midnight July 14; 5 p.m.-midnight July 15; noon-midnight July 16; $1 seniors, adults, Friday, $1; Saturday, Sunday, $2; children under 12 are free; St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church, 7373 N. Caldwell, Niles. 847-647-8880.
LEMONT HERITAGE FEST 2000: Horse-drawn wagon rides along the I & M canal, polka, swing and country bands, pony rides, petting zoo, pet contest, a decorated bicycle parade (at noon), kids’ fashion show and games. noon-11 p.m. July 15; Lemont Heritage Fest, Stephen and Canal Sts., Lemont. 630-257-1550.
HOMEWOOD DAYS: Food, entertainment, juried craft show, children’s activities, music and a radio-controlled NASCAR track. 11 a.m.-midnight July 20-22; downtown Homewood. 708-206-3384.
LAGRANGE PARK’S PARTY IN THE PARK: Family-oriented party in the park, with a children’s play area and a main stage with live music. 4-11 p.m. July 21; noon-11 p.m. July 22, 23; $3; Memorial Park Amphitheater, LaGrange Rd. at Woodlawn, LaGrange Park. 773-665-4682.
KIDS’ FEST: A daylong event filled with children’s activities, including a petting zoo filled with exotic animals. Following the animal performance, kids attend a “For Kids Only Flea Market,” with used books, toys, games and crafts. 10:30 a.m. July 22; free; Village Green Park, Shermer and Walters, Northbrook. 847-291-2980.
DUPAGE COUNTY FAIR: Livestock and 4-H exhibits, carnival and midway, chain-saw carving, truck and tractor pulls, rodeo on Saturday, demolition derby on Sunday. Country singers Kenny Chesney (Wednesday) and Lorrie Morgan (Thursday) play on the main stage. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. July 26-30; $5 adults, $3 children, seniors, seniors free on July 28; DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 W. Manchester Rd., Wheaton. 630-668-6636.
STREAMWOOD SUMMER CELEBRATION: Musical entertainment, miniature golf and football throw games, crafts show, food and beer tent and a parade on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. 5-11 p.m. July 28; noon-11 p.m. July 29, 30; free; Hoosier Grove Park, 700 W. Irving Park Rd., Streamwood. 630-372-7275, ext. 111.
PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE PARADE AND FESTIVAL: Latin American music and dance, ethnic foods, beer garden, kids’ area, and a Sunday parade at 1 p.m. 1-9 p.m. July 29, 30; free; Downer Place, Between Broadway and Stolp Streets, Aurora. 630-801-0407.
August
LAKE FOREST DAY: Annual event sponsored by the American Legion features a parade, carnival food and entertainment. Downtown Lake Forest. Aug. 2.
WESTMONT SUMMER FEST: Kids’ games and rides, petting zoo, food vendors, community bands, beer tent, softball tournament. Parade at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, car show 1-8 p.m. Sunday. 6-11 p.m. Aug. 10, 11; noon-11 p.m. Aug. 12; 1-8 p.m. Aug. 13; free; Veterans Memorial Park, Dallas and Linden Sts., Westmont. 630-963-5252.
SOUTH ELGIN FOX RIVER FEST AND TROLLEY FEST: Food, crafts, carnival rides, live entertainment, car and motorcycle show, and fireworks on Aug. 20; during the River Fest, the Fox River Trolley Museum (365 S. LaFox St.), will have a fest of its own Aug. 19-20, with rides along the Fox River, exhibits and food. 5-10 p.m. Aug. 17, 18; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Aug. 19, 20; Panton Mill Park, on Water St., one block east of Rt. 31, South Elgin. 847-888-2620.
WILL COUNTY FAIR: Nightly musical performers in beer garden, livestock and 4-H exhibits, carnival, car derby, rodeo and demolition derby. 10 a.m.-midnight Aug. 23-25; 8 a.m.-midnight Aug. 26, 27; $2 adults, kids under 10 free; Will County Fairgrounds, I-57 South to Peotone Exit 327, and one quarter mile east. 708-258-3266.
LYONS SEPTEMBER FEST 2000: Live entertainment, carnival rides, food booths, crafts, beer tent. 6-10 p.m. Aug. 24, 25; 2 p.m.-midnight Aug. 26; noon-8 p.m. Aug. 27; free; Cermak Park, 7701 W. Ogden Ave., Lyons. 708-447-2230.
FAMILY FUN FESTIVAL: Live entertainment, children’s activities and games, pony rides and food. 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 26; free; Prairie Lakes Park, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines. 847-391-5700.
September
TASTE OF MELROSE PARK: Live entertainment and a variety of food vendors are featured at this festival. 5 p.m.-midnight Sept. 1; noon-midnight Sept. 2, 3; free; Village of Melrose Park, 100 N. 25th Ave., Melrose Park. 708-343-4000.
YORKVILLE RIVERFRONT FESTIVAL: Carnival, crafts show, canoe race, fishing contest, petting zoo, food, music performances by Switchback and DeLuxury. 5-11 p.m. Sept. 1; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 2, 3; free; Downtown Yorkville, Route 47 and the Fox River, Yorkville. 630-553-4230.
30TH ANNUAL SCHAUMBURG SEPTEMBERFEST: Arts and crafts show, carnival, entertainment, Taste of Schaumburg food booths, bingo, fireworks and parade. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 2; 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 3, 4; free; Schaumburg Municipal Center, Schaumburg Rd. and Summit Drive, Schaumburg. 847-923-3636.
FOX VALLEY IRISH FEST: Live entertainment on two stages, including the Drovers on Saturday night; Irish dancers, singers, bagpipers, cultural displays and marketplace, “wee folk” area for kids. 4-11 p.m. Sept. 8; noon-11 p.m. Sept. 9; 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 10; Call for admission price; Kids 12 and under free with adult; St. Catherine of Siena Church, 845 W. Main St., West Dundee. 847-426-2217.
6TH ANNUAL NATURE CONSERVANCY FESTIVAL: Guided nature hikes through the prairie and woods, food concession, folk music, prairie restoration exhibits, birds of prey, prairie animals, and pioneer crafts. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 10; free; FelPro RRR property, McHenry. 312-346-8166, ext. 16.
DUNELAND HARVEST FESTIVAL: Crafts, old-time music, dancing, fur trade and voyager encampments, antique farm equipment. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 16, 17; free, fee for parking; Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm, Mineral Springs Road, between U.S. Highway 12 and Highway 20, Porter, Ind. 219-926-7561.
FIESTA PARA TODOS: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with cultural activities, Latin American animals, music, food and dancing. noon-4 p.m. Sept. 16, 17, 23, 24; $7 adults, $3 children, parking $4; Brookfield Zoo, 1st Ave. and 31st St., Brookfield. 708-485-0263, ext. 879.
5TH ANNUAL OLD FASHIONED HARVESTFEST & FIDDLERS CONTEST: Farmers markets, old-time craftspeople including weavers, spinners and quilters, vintage farm equipment, blacksmithing, woodworking, wagon rides and a fiddlers contest for youths and adults. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 17; Town Square, Woodstock. 815-338-2436.
FIESTA CELEBRATION: Hispanic cultural celebration with crafts, live entertainment, carnival rides, mariachi band, Spanish dancers and singers. 1-6 p.m. Sept. 17; free; Lake Park Bandshell, Lee St., between Touhy Ave. and Howard St., Des Plaines. 847-391-5700.
