Our guide to the summer festivals of 2012

<b>SEPTEMBER</b>

<b>Antioch Arts and Crafts Faire,</b> on Toft Street and in the adjoining parking lot, Antioch: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9. Free admission. Visit antioch.il.gov.

<b>Antioch Fall Fest,</b> William E. Brook Memorial Entertainment Center, 902 Skidmore Drive, Antioch: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. Features adventure race, Weiner Race, Pumpkin Roll, kids fair, live music and beer stein race. Register day of event. Free. Visit antioch.il.gov.

<b>An Art Affair in the Square,</b> at Palatine Road and Smith Street, Palatine: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, and Sunday, Sept. 9. The Palatine/Inverness Arts Council and Palatine Jaycees host more than 50 artists, who will display and sell their work. Music, food vendors. Visit palatineinvernessarts.org.

<b>Bartlett Heritage Days,</b> downtown Bartlett: Antique fair and flea market, arts and crafts, historical re-enactments. pony rides, inflatable playgrounds, carnival, food, concerts and more. Runs 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept, 7; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9. Free admission. Some activities require fees. (630) 924-4263 or bartlettheritagedays.com.

<b>Bloomingdale Septemberfest,</b> Lake Street and Bloomingdale Road, Bloomingdale: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. Food, musical entertainment, crafters, car and motorcycle show, parade and more. Free admission. (630) 893-7000 or villageofbloomingdale.org.

<b>BluesMobile Cruise Night,</b> Metra Lot, Route 83 and Northwest Highway, Mount Prospect: Classic car show. 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. (847) 818-1040 or mpdma.com.

<b>Cornfest,</b> Graue Mill and Museum, 3800 S. York Road, Oak Brook: Old-fashioned family picnic features fare, including pies, taffy apples and corn. Other highlights include games, races and music. 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9. Free admission. Tickets required for food and some activities. (630) 655-2090 or grauemill.org.

<b>Country Bumpkin Festival,</b> Lambs Farm, 14245 W. Rockland Road, I-94 at Route 176, Libertyville: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. Music, food, games and activities, including a square dance and line dance lessons. $10 admission includes all activities, music and admission to the farmyard and attractions. Children 23 months and younger free. (847) 990-3714 or lambsfarm.org.

<b>Dog Days of Dundee,</b> Randall Oaks Park, 17N350 Randall Road, West Dundee: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. Annual event includes contests, demonstrations, music, "Adoptable Pooch Pageant," free pet microchipping, rescue groups and specialty vendors. Dogs also can check out the doggy play area and agility area. Food, blankets and monetary donations will be accepted. Items will be given to local shelters and rescue groups. All pets must be on leash, under control of the owner and current on all vaccinations including rabies. Free admission. (847) 428-7131 or dtpd.org.

<b>Downtown Downers Grove Art Festival,</b> Main Street and Burlington Avenue, Downers Grove: Fest features the original works of more that 125 artists, in a variety of media. Other highlights include music, food, art demonstrations and kids' activities. Runs 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, and Sunday Sept. 9. Free admission. Visit downersgroveartfestival.com.

<b>Fall Festival,</b> Ryerson Conservation Area, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods: 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7. Features guided walks, games and wagon rides. Free. Visit lcfpd.org.

<b>Fall Fun Fest,</b> First United Methodist Church, 155 S. Main St., Lombard: Festival for all ages features scarecrow-building, a moonwalk, music, games and more. Handmade crafts and food will be available for purchase. Free admission. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. (630) 627-2508.

<b>Fall Music Festival,</b> St. Thomas United Methodist Church, 2 S511 Route 53, Glen Ellyn: Six musical groups perform every half-hour throughout the day. Other highlights include puppetry, face painting, food and more. For all ages. 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. Free admission. (630) 469-1214.

<b>Family Fall Fest,</b> Lions Park, 1200 Silver Lake Road, Cary: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. Hayrides, pony rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, kids crafts and more. $9 per child, age 3 and older; $5 per child, age 1-2. Free for adults and children under 1. (847) 639-6100 or carypark.com.

<b>Festival of the Vine,</b> at Third and State streets, downtown Geneva: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, and Saturday, Sept. 8; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9. Fare from Geneva restaurants, wine tastings, arts and crafts show and flower market. Free admission. Charge for wine and food tastings. Visit genevachamber.com.

<b>Fourth Annual Charity Corn Roast,</b> Prairie House Tavern, 2710 Main St., Buffalo Grove: Live music, games, raffles, cotton candy, a cook out and corn roast. $10. Proceeds benefit organizations that include the Placing Paws animal rescue group and the Remembrance Rescue Project for fallen firefighters. Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. (847) 415-2255 or prairiehousetavern.com.

<b>Harvest Fest,</b> Yesterday's Farm Museum, 850 N. Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale: Features activities for all ages. Highlights include Taylor's Battery with cannon shoots every hour; sheep shearing and wool spinning demonstrations; pony rides, a petting zoo, live music, re-enactors, crafters, a food booth with roasted corn on the cob and more. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9. Free admission. (630) 595-0360.

<b>Mundelein Arts Festival,</b> Kracklauer Park, Seymour Avenue and Courtland Street, Mundelein: Juried festival showcases the work of more than 40 artists in a variety of media. Local musicians perform. Food available for purchase. Free admission. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, and Sunday, Sept. 9. (847) 949-3200. Visit mundeleinartsfestival.com.

<b>Oktoberfest,</b> Virginia Hayter Village Green, 5510 Prairie Stone Parkway., Hoffman Estates: German band, food and drink. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. Free admission. Visit hoffmanestatesarts.com.

<b>Palatine Historical Society's History Crawl,</b> beginning at corner of Bothwell and Slade streets, downtown Palatine: Runs 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7. Participants will be led through town, and will stop at various locations to learn about the historical significance of that location from costumed docents and actors. Tickets are $10 in advance; $15 at the event. For information, call Marilyn at (847) 991-6460.

<b>Park Ridge Pizza Fest,</b> at intersections of South Prospect and Summit avenues, Park Ridge: Event features a variety of pizza pies, kids' activities including crafts and inflatables, music and more. Runs 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. Suggested gate donation is $5. (773) 868-3010 or chicagoevents.com.

<b>Poochapalooza,</b> Spring Avenue Dog Park, 185 Spring Ave., Glen Ellyn: Humans and their canine friends are invited to spend time together with festival activities including sheep-herding and dog-training demonstrations, exhibitor booths, dog agility training equipment, prizes and more. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. Free admission. (630) 858-2462.

<b>Scandinavian Day Festival,</b> Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9. The 33rd annual festival's theme is "Harvest Scandinavian Traditions." Highlights include traditional food of five Nordic cultures, cultural displays, children's games, free pony rides, crafts, Scandinavian music, a church service and more. $10 adults; free for kids ages 12 and younger. Visit scandinaviandayil.com or vasaparkil.com.

<b>Wagner Farm Picnic, Dance and Ice Cream Social,</b> Wagner Farm, 1510 Wagner Road, Glenview: 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. Pack up a picnic dinner and bring the family out for wagon rides, live music, square dancing, ice cream sundaes and more. Admission is $5 per person. Children under the age of 2 are free. Space is limited. (847) 724-0250.

<b>Festival de La Villita - Little Village Festival,</b> 2600 S. Kostner, in Little Village neighborhood, Chicago: Three-day festival celebrates Mexico's independence from Spain, Mexican culture, and the mythological "Year of the Mayan." Highlights include a parade, a wide variety of Mexican fare, carnival rides, arts and crafts, kids' activities and more. Runs 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7; 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, and Sunday, Sept. 9. Admission is free. (773) 868-3010 or chicagoevents.com.

<b>Windy City Wine Festival,</b> Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park, Columbus Drive and Congress Parkway, Chicago: More than 270 wines from across the globe available for sampling. Other highlights include wine seminars, cooking demonstrations, live music and food. Runs 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, and 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. One-day admission tickets are $28 in advance; $35 at the door. Designated driver tickets are $10. Visit windycitywinefestival.com. (312) 742-7529. or chicagoparkdistrict.com.

<b>Inferno Fest,</b> Everts Park, 130 Highwood Ave., Highwood: 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12. Cooking contests, samples of spicy food and more. Free admission. Visit celebratehighwood.com.

<b>Park on Park Cruise Night,</b> Park Street and Seymour Avenue, Mundelein: 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12. Classic car show. Free. (847) 970-9235 or mundeleincommunityconnection.org.