This weekend
Festival of the Vine: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 9-10, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at Fourth and State streets, Geneva. Fare from Geneva restaurants, wine and live music. The Fall Harvest Market offers food and floral demos. Arts and crafts show, flower market, horse-drawn carriage rides and more. Free. (630) 232-6060 or genevachamber.com.
Winfield Good Old Days: Noon to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10; and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at various venues in downtown Winfield. Music, art fair, business booths, kids’ activities, pancake breakfast, coin carnival, petting zoo and more. Parade at 1 p.m. Sunday starts on Sunnyside Avenue at Forest Street and travels to Beecher Avenue and Forest Street. Free. winfieldgoodolddays.com.
Itasca Oktoberfest: 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, and 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, on Orchard Street, by the train station, Itasca. German food, drinks, live music and entertainment. Kids’ Korner from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Free. itascaparkdistrict.com.
Rock the Block Party: 4 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Elmhurst City Centre, 147 N. York, Elmhurst. Family event features onstage performances, food tents and beer/wine sales. Free. elmhurstcitycentre.com.
Windy City Wine Festival: 4:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, and 2:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park, 301 S. Columbus Drive, Chicago. Musical acts, local fare, wine tastings and more. Wine-tasting tickets range from $35-$45. Designated driver tickets are $15 online or at the door. Tickets and information at windy citywinefestival.com.
Car Show Cruise Night: 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at Hawthorn Woods Community Park, 5 Park View Lane, Hawthorn Woods. Show off and view exotic and classic cars. Trophy presentations at 8 p.m. Car Show Cruise Nights are paired with the Concerts in the Parks series; live music and food vendors will be available. Car Show Cruise Nights open for pre-1980 stock cars, any year exotic cars and any year modified cars. Cars should enter at the Public Works facility, located off Old McHenry Road, between Quentin Road and the railroad tracks. Free. (847) 550-5500 or rumblingcars.com or vhw.org.
Meadows Cruise Night: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at Meadows Christian Fellowship, 2401 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. Classic cars, food and more. This week’s theme is “Imports.” Free. (847) 255-8764 or meadowsfamily.org.
Platzkonzert: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, and 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Virginia Mary Hayter Village Green, 5510 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. Germanfest celebration features music, food, authentic Bavarian beers, 5K Superhero Run, Walk or Roll at 9 a.m. Saturday, kids’ activities and more. Fest takes place rain or shine. Free. hoffmanestates.org/platz.
Rauetoberfest: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, and 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Beyond Stable Farms, 11129 Route 176, Woodstock. Traditional Oktoberfest celebration sponsored by the Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake. Live music, traditional food, a “root bier garten,” kid-friendly activities and more. $5. rauecenter.org.
Villa Park Oktoberfest: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at Lions Park, 320 E. Wildwood, Villa Park. Carnival, games, music, food and beer tent. Free. vprd.org.
10th Annual Bourbon and Beer Festival: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at The Vine, 101 Center Drive,
Grayslake. Includes live music, barbecue, cigars and more. Admission includes a tasting glass and unlimited tastings; $50 for bourbon and beer, $35 for bourbon only, $25 for beer only, and $20 for a designated driver (includes glass upon exit and unlimited soda and water). thevineofgrayslake.com.
Bartlett Heritage Days: 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10-11, at a variety of venues in downtown Bartlett. Celebrate Bartlett’s 125th anniversary with historic trolley tours, an Illinois Wheelmen bicycle demonstration, craft show, flea market, live music, magic show and more. Most events are free. (630) 924-4263 or bartlettheritagedays.com.
St. Charles Jazz Weekend: Friday through Sunday, Sept. 9-11, at various times and locations in downtown St. Charles. Fifth annual event features jazz musicians from across the Midwest. stcjazzweekend.com.
MuckFest MS: Every half-hour beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. The 5K mud run series supports the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s mission. Participants get a T-shirt, event photo and a free beer or soda. Play area for the kids. Entry fee is $65; free for spectators. Register at muckfestms.com.
Eighth Annual Glen Ellyn Backyard BBQ: Noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept.
10. in the Glenwood Ave parking lot, on Crescent Blvd., between Main and Prospect, Glen Ellyn. Sixty-four teams compete in amateur BBQ contest to name “Best Ribs,” “Best Chicken,” “Best Dish,” and “Best Sauce.” Other highlights include beer tasting and musical performances by School of Rock Instructors, the Neverly Brothers, Expo 76 and others. Piglet Playland area has bounce houses, games, face painting and a dunk tank. Vendors offer variety of food. Free admission. All proceeds assist the homeless families served by Bridge Communities. glenellynbackyardbbq.org.
40th Annual Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10-11, on Main Street, from Grove to Curtiss, Downers Grove. Festival features the work of 50 juried artists from across the country. Also, live entertainment and a kids’ art project. Free. downtowndg.org.
TheosoFEST Mind Body Spirit Festival: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at The Theosophical Society, 1926 N. Main St., Wheaton. A free mind-body-spirit festival with vegetarian food, holistic vendors, a Kids’ Korner and hands-on demonstrations in Tao Chi, yoga and other practices. Other highlights include talks on meditation, Buddhism, holistic healing, spirituality and more. Free and open to the public. Parking on the grounds is $5 per vehicle; hybrid cars and bicycle riders can park for free. theosophical.org/theosofest.
Civil War Encampment and Battle: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, on the north end of the Northbrook Sports Club property on the southern extension of Hainesville Road, Hainesville. Battles, encampments, demonstrations, period music, cricket games and local area history talks. Schedule and venue map at hainesville.org. For questions, contact
Trustee George E. Duberstein, event chairman and coordinator at (224) 715-0889 or trusteegeorgeduberstein@hainesville.org. Free; parking available at Prairieview Elementary School on Route 120. A shuttle bus to the event venue will be provided at the parking lot and on-site.
Hawthorn Woods Fall Family Fun Fest: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 10, at Hawthorn Woods Aquatic Center, 94 Midlothian Road, Hawthorn Woods. Meet village staff from all departments including public works, police and more. Also, touch-a-truck, arts and crafts and mini-train rides. Free. vhw.org.
Law Enforcement Exhibition: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at Westfield Hawthorn Mall, 122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills. Police from many villages will display different types of vehicles and equipment; K9 demonstrations; child identification program and more. Free. (847) 247-4889 or vernonhills.org.
Mundelein Fine Arts Festival: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10-11, at Kracklauer Park, 100 N. Seymour Ave., Mundelein. Juried art festival showcases the works of 45 artists and craftspeople in a variety of media. Also, local musicians and food. Free. mundeleincommunityconnection.org.
Streamwood ChamberFest: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Hoosier Grove, 700 W. Irving Park Road, Streamwood. Business vendor fair, car show, face painting, bounce house, prizes and giveaways, fire truck, food and more. Free. streamwoodchamber.com.
Autumn Art Tour: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, in downtown Woodstock and the surrounding countryside. Artists and fine craftsmen in Woodstock and throughout McHenry County open their studios to display and sell their work. The free self-guided tour will showcase art and fine crafts produced in the region. Maps available at Material Things Artisan Market, 103 E. Van Buren St., Woodstock. Featuring a wide range of work including pottery, painting, art glass, jewelry, photography and mixed media. wpbw.org.
Cary’s Fall Family Fest: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Lions Park, Silver Lake Road, Cary. Hayrides, pumpkin patch, pony rides, petting zoo and more. Admission is $9 for kids 3 and older; $5 for kids 1-2; free for kids younger than 1 and adults. carypark.com.
Deer Park Art Show: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10-11, at Deer Park Town Center, 20530 N. Rand Road, Deer Park. Juried fine art and crafts for show and sale. Live music, food and art activities for kids. Free. amdurproductions.com.
St. James Farm Dairy Day: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at St. James Farm, on Winfield Road, just north of Butterfield Road, Warrenville. Explore life on a dairy farm in the early 1900s with a dairy-themed scavenger hunt, a hay maze, covered wagon rides and more. Guest can try milking “Maggie the Milking Cow” and also see a real cow. Free. (630) 580-7025 or dupageforest.org.
Revolutionary War Re-enactment: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10-11, at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. History comes alive as hundreds of living history actors from the Northwest Territory Alliance converge on the park. See mock battles and experience life in the 18th century, by strolling through a large encampment of soldiers and civilians. Free with $10 parking. cantigny.org.
Palatine Jaycees’ An Art Affair Around the Square: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10-11, at Towne Square, 150 W. Palatine Road, Palatine. Juried art fair in all specialties, including water color, acrylic, oil, pottery, fine jewelry, photography and ceramics. Free. palatinejaycees.org.
A River Thru History — The Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at Columbia Woods Forest Preserve, at Archer Avenue and Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs. Take a voyage back in time to the fur trade era. Meet DuSable, often called Chicago’s first resident, along with voyagers, craftsmen, musicians and entertainers, as they gather for this annual early American celebration. Also, live animals, frontier food, storytelling, Native American and French games, a skillet toss, a fashion show and more. $5-$10; family pass $25. ariverthruhistory.com.
Bloomingdale Septemberfest: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Old Town Park, 111 Third St., Bloomingdale. Opens with a parade from DuJardin School, 166 S. Euclid Ave., to Old Town Park. Stage performances, car show, carnival rides, games, craft and food vendors and a beer tent. Free.
Forest Preserve District of Will County’s annual Fall Fest: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve, located on Dutton Road, north of Goodenow Road, in Crete Township. Live music, pumpkin painting, farm animals, hay wagon rides, crafts, nature exhibits and more. Free. reconnectwithnature.org.
Elmhurst Art Museum’s “BLOW UP” Family Weekend: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst. Celebrate the opening of the museum’s “BLOW UP: Inflatable Contemporary Art” exhibition with hands-on art projects, balloon animals and a bouncy castle. The “BLOW UP” exhibit runs Saturday, Sept. 10, through Sunday, Nov. 27. Family weekend events are free. elmhurstartmuseum.org.
Barrington Street Fest & Dance: Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Cook and Station streets, downtown Barrington. Acts run on the Barrington Bank & Trust main stage all day. Kids’ activities, craft beer, food and more. Free. barringtonstreetfest.com.
Randhurst Street Fest: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at 1 Randhurst Village Drive in Randhurst Village, Mount Prospect. Car display, music, food tastings, juggling, inflatables for kids, yard games for adults and more. Free. (847) 259-0500 or randhurstvillage.com.
Block Party and Movie Under the Stars: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. See “Raiders of the Lost Ark” on a big screen in Gorton’s parking lot. Food (for purchase), an up-close look at a boa constrictor with staff from the Wildlife Discovery Center, music and more. Guests can bring picnics and blankets and lawn chairs for seating. Event will be moved indoors in the case of inclement weather. Pre-film events start at 5:30 p.m.; movie at 7 p.m. Free. gortoncenter.org.
18th Annual Venetian Night on Island Lake: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, on Island Lake and in Eastway Park, 3718 Eastway Drive, Island Lake. Boaters meet by the dam at 6:30 p.m. All boaters are welcome to join boat the parade. This year’s theme is “Down on the Farm.” Trophy will be awarded to the boat best conveying the theme. After the boat parade, boats will anchor at Eastway Park for a floating picnic. Hot dogs and chips provided; participants may bring goodies to share. Spectators welcome at 7 p.m. Free. (847) 526-5059 or (224) 656-2822.
30th Annual British Car Festival: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. More than 20 British car clubs and 500 automobiles featured. Authentic British food, Irish dancers, music, technical learning sessions, valve cover racing, giveaways, classic car parts vendors and the latest imports from Great Britain. Free for spectators; donations taken for Shelter, Inc. $20-$25 to show a car. britishcarunion.com.
37th Annual Scandinavian Day Festival: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin. Festival celebrates the cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Dancing, music, pony rides, Scandinavian food, vendors, Nordic beer tasting and more. $10; free for kids 12 and younger. facebook.com/vasapark.il.
10th Annual Rally Day: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at Christus Victor Lutheran Church, 1045 S. Arlington Heights Road, Elk Grove Village. Cars, motorcycles, and bicycles on display; prizes given. Food, DJ, craft fair, kids’ games, petting zoo and more. New this year is a car seat safety check by certified installers. Free and open to the public. Rain date is Sunday, Sept. 18. (847) 437-2666.
Rally Day Fun Fair: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at St. Matthew United Church of Christ, 1420 S. Gables Blvd., Wheaton. Moon jump, dunk tank, balloons, face painting, games, food and more. Free. (630) 665-1236 or stmatthewucc.org.
Harvest Fest: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at Yesterday’s Farm Museum, 850 N. Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale. Crafts, games, petting zoo, pony rides, re-enactors, refreshments. Yesterday’s Farm museum is part of the Wood Dale Historical Society. Free. (630) 595-0360 or (630) 766-6067.
Septemberfest Community Picnic: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 675 E. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. All are welcome to the community picnic for food, entertainment, bingo, a petting zoo, a dunk tank and more. Admission is a freewill donation. trinitydesplaines.org.
Dog Film Festival: 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Fest for dog lovers of all ages offers two separate programs of different canine-themed films. Each screening includes documentary, animated and live-action shorts that illuminate the human-canine bond; films are submitted by filmmakers from around the world. Each screening is approximately 90 minutes. The Petco Foundation is the national presenting sponsor. PAWS Chicago, which
will receive 50 percent of festival proceeds, will have adoptable dogs on hand. Tickets are $15 per screening and can be purchased online or at the door. dogfilmfestival.com.
Fiestas Patrias: 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at Greenbelt Cultural Center, 1215 Green Bay Road (Route 131), North Chicago. Celebrate Mexican and Honduran independence at this family event with music, nature activities, food, dance performances and more. Free. (847) 968-3477 or lcfpd.org.
Next week
Sixth Annual Eye on India Chicago: Thursday, Sept. 15, to Sunday, Oct. 2. at various venues throughout Chicago. Festival of contemporary and traditional Indian culture features artist workshops, dance, music and more. Many events are free. Some event fees range from $20-$48. eyeonindia.org.
Glendale Heights Oktoberfest: Thursday, Sept. 15, through Sunday, Sept. 25, at Camera Park, 101 E. Fullerton Ave., Glendale Heights. 5 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 5 p.m. to midnight Fridays; noon to midnight Saturdays; noon to 10 p.m. Sundays. German food and beer, live entertainment, a pumpkin patch and vendors selling German products. Admission is $5 for adults (after 4 p.m.); free for kids 16 and younger. glendaleheightsoktoberfest.com.
