Weekend picks: Laugh it up with Bill Engvall at Paramount

Bill times two

Comedian and veteran of the “Blue Collar Comedy Tour,” Bill Engvall brings his standup routine to the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, for two performances this Saturday. $59.50-$69.50. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 5 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22

Snow forecast

Top skiing retailers, manufacturers and resorts converge together for the Windy City Ski and Snowboard Show this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $12. (847) 303-4100 or windycityskiandsnowboardshow.com. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23

Hobby farewell

The sponsors of the iHobby Expo say that this is the final year it will be staged in Rosemont before moving to Cleveland next year. Before that happens, be sure to catch all sorts of model and miniature fun this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $12; $10 seniors; kids ages 10 and younger admitted free. (847) 692-2222 or giantshow.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 22-23

Boo! at the Zoo

Brookfield Zoo's annual not-so-scary Halloween celebration, Boo! at the Zoo, features events for all ages. Take part in or simply watch the judged costume parade starting at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Other highlights include a haunted carousel, a 7,000-square-foot corn maze, pumpkin carving, hayrides, a super-size play area and educational zoo chats. Experience it all the Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield. General admission to the zoo is $9.50 to $13.50. Parking is $9. (708) 688-8000 or CZS.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 22-23

Halloween cookies Wildfire-style

Parents and kiddos will learn to make Halloween cookies the Wildfire way at a hands-on class Saturday at the Lincolnshire location, 235 Parkway Drive. The spooktacular lesson costs $10 per child, plus tax and gratuity. (847) 279-7900 or wildfirerestaurant.com. 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22

Feel the power of the ‘Force'

Guests are invited to dress up as their favorite characters from the “Star Wars” films for the Family “Star Wars” Party at the Aspen Drive Library, 701 N. Aspen Drive in Vernon Hills. Take part in crafts and activities from both sides of the “Force.” Free. No registration is required. (847) 362-2330 or cooklib.org. 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22

Famous Ghost Hunt Rallye

Get ready to start your engines as the Wheels Rallye Team hosts the Famous Ghost Hunt Rallye on Saturday. Follow clues along the road as you drive to get to the rallye's finish line. Meet at light pole B-2, west of Firestone Tire Center at Woodfield Shopping Center, at Golf Road and Route 53, Schaumburg. $10 per vehicle. For information, call Dennis at (847) 446-2904 or visit wheelsrallyeteam.com. Registration: 6 to 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22; cars head out at 7:15 p.m.

All Hallows Eve

Sinister characters and criminals from the 19th century, such as Lizzie Borden and Count Dracula, roam the grounds of the Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville, during the settlement's All Hallows Eve event. The program is not suitable for children younger than 8. $14. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.com. 6:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22

Comedy legend

Even at age 82, comedian and Oak Park native Bob Newhart is still going strong. See what standup comedy routines Newhart comes up with for his Saturday performance at the historic Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $37.50-$57.50. (312) 462-6300 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22

‘Rent' stars

Broadway stars Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp famously starred in the original production of “Rent,” but now they're appearing in concert Saturday at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $30-$60. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22

Fiery jazz dance

Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago promises plenty of “Passion and Fire” for its fall stint this weekend at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. On the bill are world-premiere pieces by choreographers Kiesha Lalama and Autumn Eckman, plus revivals by Jon Lehrer, Gus Giordano and Del Dominguez. $15-$60. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22

Roman cello

Cellist Joshua Roman is just as adept in playing classical works as he is with jazz. See which repertory gets on his list for a Saturday concert at Wheaton College's Edman Memorial Chapel, 401 E. Franklin Ave., Wheaton. $37-$50. (630) 752-5010 or artistseries.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22

Rock for charity

The not-for-profit organization A Big Blast Project, which offers recreational therapy for children with special needs, hosts the band Lynne Jordan & The Shivers for a fundraising concert Saturday at the Cubby Bear North, 21661 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire. Proceeds will help send special needs children to camp. $20-$25. (847) 650-8161 or abigblast.org or cubbynorth.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22

Philippa Gregory

New York Times best-selling historical author Philippa Gregory reads from and signs copies of her new book, “The Lady of the Rivers,” in an author event Sunday at Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Tickets cost $30 and are available at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville at 123 W. Jefferson Ave. Tickets include admission to the program, along with a place in the book-signing line and one copy of book. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com. 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23

The Three Fiddles

Strings concertmaster Aurelien Pederzoli, along with New Millennium Orchestra viola players Doyle Armbrust and Dominic Johnson — known as The Three Fiddles — present a classical Highland Park Strings program at Highland Park High School, 433 Vine Ave. Works by Bach, Haydn and Mozart will be featured. Free admission. (847) 831-3622 or hpstrings.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23

‘Pride of Nations'

The Northbrook Symphony presents its “The Pride of Nations” concert, looking at music that helped to establish some nations' identities throughout the world. Classical works by Rapchak and Dvorak will be featured at the Sheely Center for the Performing Arts at Glenbrook North High School, 2300 Shermer Road, Northbrook. $8-$45. (847) 272-0755 or TheNSO.org. 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23

Ghostly walk

The Ghost Lore of Palatine group hosts its Ghost Walk of Palatine beginning at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. Guests will hear a short lecture and then head out for a walk through downtown Palatine to hear stories of “haunted” locations. Wear comfortable shoes. Not for younger or more sensitive guests. $5. Reservations are requested. Call (847) 358-6091 or email ghostloreofpalatine@gmail.com. 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23

Woebegon wag

Author and beloved radio host of “A Prairie Home Companion,” Garrison Keillor brings his wit and storytelling eloquence to the College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $75-$100; $73-$98 seniors; $65-$90 kids ages 17 and younger. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23