Community Block Party & Craft Fair
Ready for some fun? It’s that time of year for to get out and mingle at the Round Lake Area Chamber of Commerce’s Community Block Party & Craft Fair at the Round Lake Area Park District Sports Center, 2004 Municipal Way, Round Lake Beach. Activities include an exotic animal show, a wing-eating contest, visits with the Easter Bunny and Minions, crafts, food, vendors, bouncy games and more. Free. (847) 546-2002 or rlchamber.org. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 25
Just a gem!
Shop for jewelry, gems, fossils and minerals when the Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois hosts its Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show in buildings two and three of the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Highlights include a used book sale; demonstrations about collections from various club members; displays from the Field Museum of Natural History and the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art; live and silent auctions and more. Free. esconi.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 25, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26
Barn dance
Everyone is invited to put on their dancing shoes for the Barn Dance at Grace Lutheran Church, 493 Forest Ave., Glen Ellyn. Jonathan Whitall and Friends will perform live fiddle music, and contra dance caller Meg Dedolph teaches and calls all dances. Dance experience is not necessary; beginners are welcome.
For details, contact Meg Dedolph at meg.dedolph@gmail.com or call (630) 469-1555. 2 to 3:15 p.m. Sunday, March 26
Rolling down the rails
The 36th All American Railroad Show rolls into the Lyons Township High School field house, 100 S. Brainerd Ave., La Grange. A variety of railroad layouts and exhibits with different scales of model trains will be on display. Door prizes include a 30-by-48 N scale layout. $5; free for kids 5 and younger. Refreshments for purchase. Show is presented by the DuPage division of the NMRA and Lyons Township High School. mwr-nmra.org. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 25
All Around the House Quilt Show
See quilts of various colors and sizes — many of them antique — at the 10th Annual All Around the House Quilt Show at Fischer Farm, 16W680 Grand Ave., Bensenville. Quilt-related books, patterns and blocks will be for sale, too. Make an appointment to meet with a certified quilt appraiser at the show by calling (815) 713-1963. Admission is $4 for adults; $1 for kids 5-17. bensenvilleparkdistrict.org. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 25-26
Maple Syrup Hikes
Watch how sap from sugar maple trees is turned into pure maple syrup during the Maple Syrup Hikes at Edward L. Ryerson Woods, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods. Hikes are led by the Lake County Forest Preserve nature educators. Registration required. $6; free for kids younger than 3. (847) 968-3321 or lcfpd.org. One-hour hikes run every half-hour from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 25-26
Fingerpicking champ
Guitarist Eric Lugosch, a national fingerpicking guitar champion, will perform both fingerpicking and classical guitar styles at Art Area Studio 51, 51 S. Spring St., Elgin. $5. Reservations are encouraged; call Carol Palframan at (847) 208-0481. 7 p.m. Saturday, March 25
Meet me at the fair
Collectors and dealers can buy, sell and trade items related to World’s Fairs from 1876 to the present at the 23rd Annual World’s Fair Memorabilia Show at the Elk Grove Holiday Inn, 1000 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village. The main focus of the show is on the 1933-34 Chicago World’s Fair, with continuous showings of home movies and newsreels on video from that fair. There will also be items from the 1893 Chicago Columbian Exposition, and more than 20 tables of World’s Fair items for sale. $5-$6. worldsfairshow.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26
A little bit country
Country artists Easton Corbin and A Thousand Horses team up for a concert at Joe’s Live, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. For ages 21 and older. $15. (847) 261-0392 or joesliverosemont.com. 8 p.m. Thursday, March 30
