Fairs & Festivals Calendar
McHenry County
ANTIQUE TRACTOR, TRUCK AND CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT SHOW, fifth annual, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 3-4, Petersen Farm, McCullom Lake Road, McHenry. Festival will feature tractor pulls, petting zoo, pig raffle, hay rides, corn maze, food and a Saturday performance by Double Shot. Admission: $3 adults, $1 children. Sponsored by Tractors for Charity; all proceeds benefit FISH of McHenry Food Pantry. Information: 847-628-6152 or www.tractorsforcharity.com.
CIDER FEST, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 4, McHenry County Historical Society Museum, 6422 Main St., Union. Cider pressing demonstrations, entertainment, barn raising, tractor contest, White Elephant and used books, homemade baked apple treats. Lunch available or bring a picnic. Free fest and museum admission. Information: 815-923-2267 or www.mchsonline.org.
SETTLERS’ DAYS, Oct. 8-12, downtown Marengo. Festival features parade, crafts, petting zoo, carnival rides, antique tractor display and more. Information: 815-568-6680.
Kane County
SCARECROW FESTIVAL, Oct. 9-11, downtown St. Charles. Annual fest features more than 100 hand-crafted scarecrows, music, carnival rides, craft show and more. Schedule: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 9-10 and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 11. Information: 800-777-4373 or www.scarecrowfest.com.
SYCAMORE PUMPKIN FESTIVAL, Oct. 21-25, downtown Sycamore. Features a pumpkin display and contest, carnival, food, crafts and more. Information: www.sycamorepumpkinfestival.com.
Regional
FRIGHT FEST, Oct. 3-31, Six Flags Great America, 542 N. Route 21, Gurnee. The theme park is transformed into a Halloween playground with shows, street entertainment, haunted houses and more. Information: www.sixflags.com.
HARVEST FESTIVAL, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 3-4, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. Features a marketplace of fresh baked goods, roasted nuts, cut flowers and more, plus activities, a straw bale maze and leaf rubbing crafts. Information: 847-835-5440 or www.chicagobotanic.org.
LONG GROVE APPLE FESTIVAL, 17th annual, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 2-4, Long Grove Historic Village, 307 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Apple-themed celebration with activities for the entire family, food, live entertainment, shopping and more. Information: 847-634-0888 or www.longgroveonline.com.
Chicago
ELI’S CHEESECAKE FESTIVAL, 13th annual, Oct.3-4, 6701 W. Forest Preserve Drive, Chicago. Annual festival benefits the New Horizon Center for Developmentally Disabled and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Features live music, children's activities and plenty of cheesecake. Schedule: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 3 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 4. Information: 773-308-7000 or www.elicheesecake.com.
FIERA ITALIANA, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 5-9, Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington Ave., Chicago. Outdoor festival-style event featuring food, wine tasting, culinary demonstrations, performing arts, entertainment, music, fashion events, and more in celebration of the culture of Italy. Free admission. Host: Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. Information: 312-994-2620 or ww.jccia.com.
