Fairs & Festivals Calendar
McHenry County
A WOODSTOCK TRIBUTE, Aug. 14-15, Galt Airport, Greenwood. Celebration of the 40th anniversary of the historic music and peace festival near Woodstock, New York in 1969. Information: www.tribute2woodstock.com.
ALGONQUIN FOUNDERS’ DAYS, July 23-26, Algonquin. “Founders’ Goes Mardi Gras” theme. Information: 847-658-5340 or www.algonquinfoundersdays.com.
BLAST ON THE BEACH & LIGHTS ON THE LAKE, Aug. 29, Main Beach, Crystal Lake. Antique and craft fair, Bingo on the Beach, music, food and boat parade. Information: 815-459-0680 or www.crystallakeparks.org/general-info/foundation.htm.
FIESTA DAYS, July 10-25 (Music Fest is July 10-12), Petersen and Veteran’s Memorial Parks, McHenry. Includes performance by Gin Blossoms, Family Faith Nite, other events. Information: 815-385-4300 or www.mchenrychamber.com.
HERITAGE FAIR, 25th annual, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 12, McHenry County Historical Society Museum, 6422 Main St., Union. Entertainment, antiques/collectibles auction, White Elephant sale, used book sale, vintage clothing sale, garden/plant sale, baked goods sale, weaving, quilting, blacksmithing demonstrations, entertainment and more. Free admission. Information: 815-923-2267 or www.mchsonline.org.
LAKE IN THE HILLS SUMMER SUNSET FESTIVAL, Sept. 4-6, Sunset Park, Lake in the Hills. Parade, carnival rides, craft show and fireworks. Information: www.summersunsetfest.com.
McHENRY COUNTY FAIR, Aug. 5-9, Woodstock. Annual fair celebrates 60 years with agricultural exhibits, food, entertainment and more. Information: 815-338-5310 or www.mchenrycountyfair.com.
MIDWEST FIBER & FOLK ART FAIR, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 17-18 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 19, McHenry County College. Celebration of the fiber arts featuring demonstrations, vendors, fashion show, music and food. Admission: $10 a day, $25 three-day pass available July 17 only, free for children 10 and younger. Workshop schedule and event information: 815-276-2537 or www.fiberandfolk.com.
NEROFEST, second annual, noon to 8 p.m. July 11, Nero’s Pizza & Pub, 300 Eastgate Drive, Algonquin. Outdoor music festival and food drive for the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Interfaith Food Pantry. Live bands, free food tasting and food available for purchase. Admission: two or more food item donations noon to 2 p.m.; $5 for ages 18 and older after 2 p.m., free for those younger than 18. Accepting food donations all day. Information: 847-525-8417; www.phidgetband.com or www.alith-foodpantry.org.
ROCKIN’ ROTARY RIBFEST, July 9-12, Sunset Park, Lake in the Hills. Barbecue and family entertainment. Information: www.rockinrotaryribfest.com.
WOODSTOCK FOLK FESTIVAL, 24th annual, 12:30 to 6 p.m. July 19, on the Square, Woodstock. Musical performances by John Flynn, Magpie, The Jamie O’Reilly Trio, Still on the Hill, Trillium, Natalia Zukerman. Children’s activities and more. Suggested donation: $15 adults, $10 seniors and students, $25 families. Information: 815-479-9933 or www.woodstockfolkfestival.org.
WOODSTOCK JAZZ FESTIVAL, Aug. 21-22, Woodstock Square. Promotion of jazz music in all its diverse forms and colorful history at various businesses in the Square. Information: 847-340-8319 or www.jazzonthesquare.net.
WOODSTOCK MOZART FESTIVAL, Aug. 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, Woodstock Opera House. Guest conduct format enabling patrons to enjoy music of Mozart in different performance styles. Information: www.mozartfest.org.
Kane County
WORLD OF FAERIES, fifth annual, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 1 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 2, Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin. Music, fun, art and craft vendors, food and more for fairy and fantasy lovers. Rain or shine. Admission: $10 adults, $8 seniors, free for children 12 and younger. Information: 815-788-1630 or www.theworldoffaeries.com.
Regional
BRISTOL RENAISSANCE FAIRE, July 11 through Sept. 7, 12550 120th Ave., Kenosha, Wis. Elizabethan faire with jousting matches, costumes musicians, carnival rides, shopping and more. Schedule: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day. Tickets: $16.95 adults in advance, $18.95 at the gate; $8 children ages 5-12 in advance, $9.50 at the gate, free for children younger than 5. Tickets: 877-772-5425. Information: 847-395-7773 or www.renfair.com/bristol.
EDENS ART FAIR, 16th annual, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 18 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 19, Edens Plaza, 3232 Lake Ave., Wilmette. Paintings, jewelry, glassworks and more. Free admission. Information: 312-751-2500 or www.americansocietyofartists.org.
FAMILY FUN FESTIVAL, fifth annual, 9 a.m. July 18, American Legion Post 489, 9054 Highway 34, Yorkville. Poker run, car show, children’s games, pig roast dinner, raffle, auctions, dancing, entertainment, tethered hot air balloon rides and more. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics. For information, visit: www.kcsofamilyandfriends.com.
FESTA ITALIANA, 32nd annual, 2 p.m. to midnight July 16 and 11:30 a.m. to midnight July 17-19, Henry W. Maier Festival Park on Milwaukee’s lakefront. Food, live music, entertainment and more. Tickets: $10 in advance, $12 at the gate. Information: 414-223-2808 or www.festaitaliana.com.
ON THE WATERFRONT, Sept. 3-6, downtown Rockford. Charlie Daniels Band kicks off the festival. Information: 815-964-4388 or www.onthewaterfront.com.
TASTE OF PARK RIDGE, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 9-11, South Prospect and South Summit Avenue, Park Ridge. Sample food from 25 vendors and enjoy entertainment. Purchase tickets for food. Free admission. For information, visit: www.tasteofparkridge.com.
Chicago
CHICAGO AIR & WATER SHOW, 51st annual, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 15-16, North Avenue Beach along Lake Michigan lakefront, 1600 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Featuring a variety of air and water performers. Air show starts 11 a.m. Free. Information: 312-744-3315 or www.cityofchicago.org/specialevents.
CHICAGO FOLK & ROOTS FESTIVAL, 12th annual, noon to 10 p.m. July 11-12, Welles Park, 4400 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Music festival presented by the Old Town School of Folk Music. Rain or shine. Admission: $8 adults, $4 seniors and children. Information: 773-728-6000 or www.chicagofolkandroots.org.
CHICAGO OUTDOOR FILM FESTIVAL, sunset Tuesdays, July 14 through Aug. 25, Butler Field at Grant Park, 100 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Bring a blanket. Free. Information: 312-744-3315.
FIESTA DEL SOL, 37th annual, July 30 through Aug. 2, Pilsen neighborhood, 1400 W. Cermak Road, Chicago. Latin street fest of live music, dance classes, disc jockeys, carnival, arts and crafts, food and more. Free admission. Information: 312-666-2663.
GLENWOOD AVENUE ARTS FEST, eighth annual, noon to 8 p.m. Aug. 22-23, 6900-7000 N. Glenwood Ave. & 1400 block of Morse Ave., at Rogers Park in Chicago. Featuring 80 artist-vendors, 36 bands for all ages on three festival stages, food and more. Free admission. Information: 773-761-4477, Ext. 701 or www.glenwoodave.org.
GREAT PERFORMERS OF ILLINOIS FESTIVAL, fourth annual, July 10-13, Millennium Park, Chicago. Celebration of the arts with musical entertainment, dancing, storytelling and more. Schedule: 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. Monday. Free. Information: 312-742-1168 or www.greatperformersofillinois.com.
IRISH AMERICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL, 24th annual, 6 to 9 p.m. July 10-12, 4626 N. Knox Ave., Chicago. Five stages of music, dancing, raffles, door prizes and more. Schedule: 6 p.m. to midnight July 10, noon to midnight July 11, noon to 11 p.m. July 12. Tickets: $14 per day, $8 in advance through July 9, $7 seniors, free for children younger than 12 with paid adult at 773-282-7035 or www.irish-american.org.
MAGNIFICENT MILE ART FESTIVAL, 18th annual, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 10-11 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 12, Chicago Tribune Pioneer Court, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Juried art show featuring the work of local and nationally-recognized artists. Free admission. Information: 954-472-3755 or www.artfestival.com.
ST. ANDREW’S GREEK FESTIVAL, 48th annual, 2 to 11 p.m. July 11 and noon to 11 p.m. July 12, St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church, 5649 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago. Folk music and dancing, carnival rides and games, food, Orthodox book store, art, a raffle and silent auction. Admission: $2 adults, free for children 12 and younger. Information: 773-334-4515.
TASTE OF LINCOLN AVENUE, 26th annual, noon to 10 p.m. July 25-26, Lincoln Avenue from Fullerton to Wrightwood Avenues, Chicago. Street fest of more than 350 food vendors, carnival, children’s activities, live music and more. Admission: $7 before 4 p.m., $10 after 4 p.m. Information: 773-868-3010 or www.chicagoevents.com.
VENETIAN NIGHT, 52nd annual, 8:30 p.m. July 25, Monroe Harbor, 100 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Lake Michigan procession of about 35 illuminated and decorated boats. Free. Information: 312-744-3315.
WICKER PARK FEST, sixth annual, noon to 10 p.m. July 25-26, Milwaukee Avenue between North Avenue and Wood Street, Chicago. Live music, local cuisine and arts and crafts vendors. Admission: $5. Information: 773-384-2672.
WORLD’S LARGEST BLOCK PARTY, 25th annual, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. July 10-11, Madison Street and Des Plaines Avenue, Chicago. Old St. Patrick’s Church annual fundraiser with live music, food, raffles and prizes. Tickets: $35 in advance, $40 at the gate. Information: 312-648-1590 or www.worldslargestblockparty.com.
