Sunday picks: Who doesn't love a county fair?
A fair affair
The 84th Annual Lake County Fair features a Motocross, monster trucks, a demolition derby, carnival, games, rides and more at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $10; $5 kids and seniors. (847) 680-7200 or lcfair.com. 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 29
North Shore Festival of Art
More than 150 artists from across the country showcase their works in a variety of media at the Fifth Annual North Shore Festival of Art at Westfield Old Orchard, 4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie. See everything from ceramics, sculpture and jewelry, to paintings, photography, furniture and more. Free admission and parking. Visit amdurproductions.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 29
From Grain to Grist
Apprentice “millers” of all ages can learn what it takes to turn corn into stone ground cornmeal at the From Grain to Grist program at the Graue Mill and Museum, at 3800 S. York Road, Oak Brook. Take part in milling activities including shucking, shelling, weighing and bagging. Free with paid $1.50-$3.50 general mill and museum admission. Kids ages 3 and younger admitted free. (630) 920-9720 or grauemill.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 29
Vernon Hills' new RUB
Here's the RUB in Vernon Hills: a new restaurant — Real Urban Barbecue at 1260 S. Milwaukee Ave., Suite 100. Grand opening festivities take place this weekend with an eating challenge for high schoolers on Sunday: The Hungry Home-wrecker throwback sandwich — a pound and a half of andouille sausage, two-pounds of pulled pork, hot sauce, a pint of coleslaw and six-ounces of RUB's brain buster pickles. Winners get a free sandwich daily for a year. (847) 613-1227 or realurbanbbq.com. Open from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, July 29
Major street fest
We all know about the big music festivals that hit Chicago, like Pitchfork and Lollapalooza. But the city is home to numerous smaller fests that still pack a punch musically. Wicker Park Fest takes place along Milwaukee Avenue between North Avenue and Paulina Street, and it will include sets from acclaimed indie band Cursive, incendiary punk trio Screaming Females, local rockers AM Taxi and singer-songwriter Joe Pug. In addition to all the music, fest-goers will be able to sample the vibrant arts and dining scenes of the Wicker Park neighborhood, which is one of the city's best. (There are plenty of children's' activities, too!) All of this for a $5 donation at the gate. You can't beat that deal. Go to wickerparkfest.com. Noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 29
Highwood Festival Days
Head to Highwood for the 45th Annual Highwood Festival Days, in the Metra parking lot on Waukegan Road, in downtown Highwood. Carnival rides, live music, a beer garden, food and more are featured at Highwood's oldest festival. Free general admission. Visit celebratehighwood.com. 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 29
Walk about Elgin
Janus Theater, Nothing Special Productions, Guild Theater and the Great American Artistic Consortium perform adaptations of short stories and poems by Edgar Allan Poe as part of Elgin's fifth annual Walkabout: Theater on Your Feet. Performances take place at various downtown locations in this environmental theatrical work. Tours start at the Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago St., Elgin. $15 (cash only). Reservations required. (847) 841-1713 or www.elginwalkabout.com. Tours run at 15-minute intervals beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 29
'Our Town'
Antioch's PM&L Theatre presents Thornton Wilder's famed, Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Our Town” onstage at 877 N. Main St., Antioch. Tickets cost $11-$13. (847) 395-3055 or pmltheatre.com. 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 29
Annual Block Party
Elk Grove Park District's Annual Block Party includes games, arts and crafts, giant inflatables, baggo, bocce ball and more at the Pavilion fields, behind the Pavilion, 1000 Wellington Ave., Elk Grove Village: Free hot dogs and water, while supplies last. Free general admission. (847) 437-9494 or elkgroveparks.org. 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 29; Elk Grove Idol competition at 6 p.m.
Majority Mozart
The Woodstock Mozart Festival returns with a concert featuring Chicago keyboard artist David Schrader playing an all-Mozart program this weekend at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock. $30-$52. (815) 338-5300 or mozartfest.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, July 29
Musical fundraiser
The FLOOD charity, established by local high school students, hosts a fundraising concert with Denny Diamond and the band Missed Opportunity at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Tickets cost $30. FLOOD raises funds to help supply water filtration and storage systems to needy areas of the world. Proceeds will go to the Water Missions International organization. For tickets and information, visit floodusa.org or call Dan Kinsella at (708) 927-1491. 4 p.m. Sunday, July 29
Pianists Misha and Cipa Dichter
Husband-and-wife pianists Misha and Cipa Dichter present a classical concert in the Martin Theatre at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. Selections include works by Brahms, Ravel and Barber. $40-$60; lawn seats $10. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 8 p.m. Sunday, July 29