Looking forward

Fiesta Days starts Friday

TODAY

Fiesta Days!McHenry event will run for 10 days

Fiesta Days kicks off Friday and continues through July 20 at Petersen Park, Veterans Memorial Park and other locations in McHenry.

The 10-day festival will feature a carnival, arts and crafts, a parade, sports tournaments, a car show, live music, food and more.

Performers during the first weekend’s music festival will range from the Spin Doctors on Saturday to The Moods – a Motown act – and American English – a Beatles tribute band – on Sunday.

Returning this year will be the “Fiesta Favorites” talent competition, a motorcycle show, and an extreme sports show, all of which debuted last year. In addition, the Riverview Theatre will present “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Saturday.

The festival, originally called Marine Days, is celebrating its 60th year. It started as a waterfront event with boat races and potluck suppers during a time when much of McHenry was summertime cottages.

For performance times and admission fees, visit www.mchenry chamber.com.

For information, call 815-385-4300.

TUESDAY

Ribfest ready to rock

The Rockin’ Rotary Ribfest takes place Thursday through Sunday at Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, in Lake in the Hills. The event will feature several varieties of ribs, food, live entertainment and a car show. Bands performing this year include: The Smithereens, Lounge Puppets, Blonde on Board, Mike and Joe, Audio Daydream, and more.

Festival hours are 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $3 on Thursday and Friday, $3 Saturday before 5 p.m., $5 Saturday after 5 p.m., $5 Sunday, and free for children 12 and younger.

For information, visit www.rock inrotaryribfest.com.

WEDNESDAY

Tournament to raise money for cancer

The Lake in the Hills Youth Athletic Association is conducting the third annual Brian Krueger Memorial Tournament on Wednesday through Sunday at Sunset and Leroy Guy parks.

The baseball tournament will raise money in memory of former association player Brian Krueger for the Midwest Children’s Brain Tumor Center. This year, 45 teams from around the area will compete.

Krueger was diagnosed with medulla blastoma at age 4.

He began playing baseball with the association at age 8. He played four seasons in the league before the cancer returned, and he died in 2005 at age 11.

The tournament was organized in 2006 to honor Krueger’s memory and raise money to support cancer patients and their families.

For information, call 847-669-1788.

Idol contest in Woodstock

To celebrate its third anniversary, Read Between the Lynes Bookstore in Woodstock is teaming up with Super Starz Lounge to host a Woodstock Idol karaoke competition.

At 7 p.m. Wednesday, 20 people in their teens and younger will compete to be the Woodstock Teen Idol by singing in front of three judges.

The Woodstock Idol contest for singers ages 21 and older will begin at 8:30 p.m.

No one younger than 21 is allowed in Super Starz Lounge after 9 p.m.

Participants can choose from among Super Starz’s library of 22,000 songs.

The list is available at www.superstarzlounge.com.

The $15 advance entry fee includes a copy of the book, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot: The Ultimate Guide to Karaoke Domination” by Raina Lee.

Prizes will be awarded to the first-place winner and two runners-up in each contest.

Who killed Mother Goose?

Children ages 11 to 14 who live in the Nippersink Public Library district are invited to play a live game of Clue on Wednesday.

The game will use fictional characters from children’s literature, such as Snow White, Curious George and Sherlock Holmes.

Three one-hour games will be played at 1, 2 and 3 p.m.

Space is limited, and registration is required.

For information or to register, call 815-678-4014.

THURSDAY

Home-safety talk slated at Hearthstone

Firefighter-paramedic Pat Keefe of the Woodstock Fire Department will present information Thursday on home safety, including fire-hazard awareness, fall prevention, and other ways to avoid injury.

The free program begins at 2 p.m. at Hearthstone Village, 840 N. Seminary Ave., in Woodstock.

Hearthstone Senior Living Community is a nonprofit, faith-based continuing care retirement community serving more than 200 seniors.

Advanced registration is not required. For information, call 815-338-2110.

Donate blood, get ice cream

Spring Grove is hosting its third annual blood drive from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, at Village Hall, 7401 Meyer Road.

Donors must be in good health, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be at least 17 years old.

Donors who are 16 years old may donate with parental approval.

All donors will receive a gift card for a quart of Oberweis ice cream.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred. To schedule an appointment or for information, call 815-675-2121.

FRIDAY

Hoops shootout features boys

More than 30 boys basketball teams from around the Chicago area will participate in the Crystal Lake South Shootout, starting Friday and continuing through Sunday.

All teams in the field will play at least three games in the tournament, with the top teams playing five.

Last year, the host Gators advanced to the championship game and finished second overall, and Jacobs finished in fifth place.

Super Smash at McHenry library

A Wii Super Smash Brothers Brawl Tournament will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. Friday at McHenry Public Library.

The event is open to 12- through 18-year-olds. Snacks and prizes will be provided. The library is on Route 31 between Route 120 and Lillian Street. There is a 30-person limit. To register, call 815-385-0036.

SATURDAY

Woodstock VFW hosts car show

The Woodstock VFW is putting on a car show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday to raise money for veterans.

The show, called “Remember Our Heroes,” will be held at VFW Post 2050, 240 Throop St., in Woodstock. Raffle winners will be drawn every 30 minutes, and spectators can enjoy food, beer, and music.

To show a car, register in advance by calling Bill or Jeanne at 815-338-5040.

The registration fee is $10 in advance and $15 at the show. Trophies will be awarded for cars in various categories.

SUNDAY

Heritage Fair at historical society

The McHenry County Historical Society will host its annual Heritage Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at its museum, 6422 Main St., Union.

The event will include a Will Rogers impersonator from 11 a.m. to noon, along with pi-baking contests in the morning and an antiques auction at 1 p.m.

Admission is free.