Weekend picks: Don't miss Haley's 'Idol' tour

Sing, sing, sing

Cheer on Wheeling native and “American Idol” finalist Haley Reinhart when she comes back to town Saturday as part of the American Idol Live! Tour 2011 at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $45-$65. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6

Kendall County Fair

The annual Kendall County Fair features animal exhibits and animal shows, a truck-and-tractor pull, a carnival, music, a tractor parade and more at the Kendall County Fairgrounds, Route 71 and Highpoint Road, Yorkville. $4-$7. (630) 553-2860 or KendallCountyFair.com. 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, and 9 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 7

Mini mania

Get your thumbs ready to steer, fly and roll all sorts of radio-controlled devices this Saturday when the Chicago Radio Control Expo (RCX) brings hands-on exhibits, experts and more to the Odeum Sports and Expo Center, 1033 N. Villa Ave., Villa Park. $20; kids ages 12 and younger admitted free with adult ticket purchase. (630) 941-9292 or RCX.com. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6

Highland Park Strings

The Highland Park Strings present a classical concert for guests of all ages in the Martin Theatre at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $10, lawn $5. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. Park opens at 10 a.m.; concert at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6

Corn and crafts

Browse through vendors' arts and crafts and dig into sweet corn at the Rolling Meadows Cornfest and Arts & Crafts Fair at the Community Church of Rolling Meadows, 2720 Kirchoff Road. Ticket holders get a hamburger or hot dog, watermelon, a beverage and all of the sweet corn they can eat. Tickets cost $5-$11. Kids ages 3 and younger admitted free. (847) 255-5510 or communitychurchrm.com. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6

A fest for ‘The Fab Four'

Beatles fans and vendors from across the globe come together for Beatles-related activities in 15 ballrooms and areas of the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont, for The Fest for Beatles Fans 2011. The event features panel discussions, auctions, a Battle of the Beatles Bands, a marketplace of Beatles items, Beatles trivia, photos, art exhibits and more. Tickets cost $25-$50 at the door. Visit thefest.com. Noon to midnight Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 6-7

Open house at the airport

American Flyers Flight School hosts an informational open house and barbecue for anyone with an interest in aviation at the Chicago Executive Airport, 1071 S. Wolf Road, Hangar 10, Wheeling. A complimentary lunch will be followed by tours and a presentation by a certified flight instructor. Each guest will be eligible to receive a certificate for two free hours of instruction in a flight simulator. Free. Call (630) 584-4700, or go to americanflyers.net/about/aviation_seminars.asp. Noon Saturday, Aug. 6

What ‘ales' you?

Receive a free pint glass for unlimited sampling of more than 100 beers at the Wheaton Ale Fest on Front Street in downtown Wheaton. VIP attendees may enter the fest one hour early to sample cheese and sausage pairings and rare limited beers. Designated drivers will receive a free sampling glass, T-shirt and unlimited soda and water. Tickets cost $40 for general admission and $65 for VIP admission. Designated driver tickets cost $15 when bought with a full-priced ticket. Visit wheatonalefest.com. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6

Bon-Dancing Festival

Traditional folk dancers, Taiko Drummers and karate demonstrations are all part of the returning traditional Japanese summer Bon-Dancing Festival Saturday at Mitsuwa Marketplace, 100 E. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights. Free admission. (847) 956-6699 or mitsuwa.com. 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6

Going batty

Holy flying mammals, Batman! The Kane County Forest Preserve District invites folks to participate in a special “Bat Watch!” at two locations: the LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W370 Dean St., St. Charles, then at Hannaford Woods-Nickels Farm Forest Preserve, 5S002 Merrill Road, Sugar Grove. $5 per person or $20 per family. (847) 741-8350 or kaneforest.com. 7:45 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, in St. Charles; 7:45 to 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, in Sugar Grove

Chi-town comic

If you love comedian Sebastian Maniscalco on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” then don't miss the Chicago native's stand-up stints this weekend at Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. (630) 584-6342 or zanies.com. $30 plus two-menu item purchase. 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6

Good dog

Get Fido to do some good by using all four legs to aid the American Cancer Society and its milelong Bark for Life walk on Sunday at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $30 per dog with the commitment to collect donations. (888) 732-7784 or BarkForLifeNWS.com. 8 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. start Sunday, Aug. 7

Tools on parade

Members of the Early American Industries Association and the Mid-West Tool Collectors Association host their annual Antique Tool Show & Sale at Garfield Farm Museum, on Garfield Road off Route 38, Campton Hills. More than 30 collectors will have their tools on display and for sale. Admission is $6 for adults and $2 for children ages 12 and younger. (630) 584-8485 or garfieldfarm.org. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7

Revving for research

Rev up your motorcycles for Morton's The Steakhouse Rides for Research to help benefit the Lymphoma Research Foundation this Sunday starting at 1470 McConnor Parkway, Schaumburg. $45 per bike; $40 for each additional rider. (847) 413-8771 or mortons.com/schaumburg/specialevents. 10 a.m. registration; 11 a.m. ride Sunday, Aug. 7

‘Cabaret'

ArtReach Educational Theatre & Spotlite Theatrix Production Company presents “Cabaret,” the hit 1960s musical set in Berlin during the rise of the Nazis in the 1930s. See it at Meadows Center Auditorium, 2550 W. Golf Road, Rolling Meadows. $16-$18. (847) 372-7798 or artreachspotlite.com. 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7

Drumming on

Musician Ray McNamara of California (a native of St. Charles) presents a steel drum performance in honor of the opening of the new Bartlett Center for the Arts, 118 W. Bartlett Ave., Bartlett. McNamara will join Bartlett musician Rita Lopienski in conducting a drumming circle demonstration. Drums will be provided for those wanting to join. All ages are welcome. Free and open to the public. (630) 372-4152 or artsinbartlett.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7

Jackie Evancho

Eleven-year-old singing sensation Jackie Evancho performs with the Ravinia Festival Orchestra in a program of classical selections in the Pavilion at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $45. Lawn seats $15. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. Park opens at 4 p.m.; concert starts at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7