Weekend picks: Feel at home with Garrison Keillor at Ravinia
Woebegone
“A Prairie Home Companion With Garrison Keillor” returns Saturday for another live public radio broadcast originating from the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $35-$65 reserved seating; $10 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 4:45 p.m. Saturday, June 22
Will it float?
Watch the 29th annual America's Cardboard Cup Regatta on Main Beach, 300 Lake Shore Drive, Crystal Lake. Admission is $3 per person, with $15 family maximum. Visit cardboardcup.com or crystallakeparks.org. Gates open at 9 a.m.; races start at noon Saturday, June 22
Strawberries galore
Dig in to a variety of fresh strawberries and strawberry treats at the annual Long Grove Strawberry Fest at the crossroads of Old McHenry and Robert Parker Coffin roads, Long Grove. The event also features musical performances and kids' activities. $5 admission. Kids younger than 12 admitted free. (847) 634-0888 or visitlonggrove.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 22-23
Comic conclave
Fans of comic books, cartoons and graphic novels won't want to miss Mighty Con this weekend with celebrity guests (like former Bond girl Priscilla Barnes, animator and Donald Duck's official voice Tony Anselmo and more) at Pheasant Run Mega Center, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $10 one-day pass; $15 weekend pass. (630) 584-6300 or mightycon.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 22, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 23
North vs. South
Get a glimpse of what war-torn America might have been like 150 years ago at a special Civil War Encampment presented this weekend at the Fischer Farm, 16W680 Old Grand Ave. (just west of Church Road), Bensenville. Free admission. (630) 766-7015 or bensenvilleparkdistrict.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 22, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 23
Knitting time
Hand-dyed yarns and fiber are among the items for sale in the vendor marketplace for the Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Festival, which also features workshops, seminars and more this weekend at the Expo Center at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $10 daily admission; $25 three-day pass; kids 10 and younger admitted free. (815) 276-2537 or fiberandfolk.com. 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 22, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 23
Summer Music Fest
The Freddy Jones Band, 7th Heaven and others play The Arboretum's Summer Music Fest at The Arboretum of South Barrington, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Besides the live music, there's food, drink and more. Tickets cost $10. Buy advance tickets at the Arboretum's management office (H-72, in front of IPic Theaters) or on-site at the event. Visit shopthearb.com. 3 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, June 22
Rock tributes
Naper Nights return this weekend at Naper Settlement with rock tribute band Heartache Tonight (playing music of The Eagles) at 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. $10; $5 kids ages 4 to 12. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.museum. 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 22
Fruits of the vine
Take part in tastings from wineries, breweries and food vendors, plus enjoy live music and nature walks at the Solstice Hop and Vine Fest at the Spring Valley Nature Center and Heritage Farm, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. $25-$26 fee includes 10 tastings. Must be 21 or older. (847) 985-2115 or schaumburgparkfoundation.org. 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 22
Free Weezer
The new Microsoft Store in Schaumburg has tapped Weezer for a publicity bonanza this weekend. The celebrated alternative rock band will perform for a limited number of fans Saturday in the Woodfield Mall parking lot at Golf Road at Route 53, Schaumburg. Limited free admission. (847) 330-1537 or shopwoodfield.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, June 22
Kingz of comedy
Joey Guila, Kevin Camia, Ron Josol and Keith Pedro appear together as the Filipino Kingz of Comedy this weekend at The Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $20 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, June 22; and 7 p.m. Sunday, June 23
T's on tour
Multiplatinum-selling suburban pop-rock band the Plain White T's will hit the road this summer in support of the band's new EP, “Should've Gone to Bed.” The band, which formed in Lombard, will kick off the tour with a “hometown” show this weekend at the Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago. In addition to material from the EP and past records, the band might showcase songs from the new full-length album they're working on. $29 for adults, $15 for kids ages 4-12. Go to lpzoo.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 22
Farm fun
Milk a model cow, see farm equipment and take an old-fashioned hayride at the annual Day at Petersen Farm at 4112 McCullom Lake Road, one mile west of Route 31, in McHenry. Other highlights include kids' games, craft demonstrations and farm animals. The Georgia Ray Family Band and The Cleffhangers barbershop quartet perform. Guests can tour the farmhouse and vote in the naming contest for McHenry's full-size Holstein dairy cow model. The winner of the contest will be announced at the event. Free admission. (815) 385-0191 or visit ci.mchenry.il.us. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 23
Red, white and brew
A Taste of the Red, White and Brew Fest features wine and beer tasting, artwork displays, music, food and more at Veteran's Memorial Park, 3400 Pearl St., McHenry. Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 at the gate. $10 for designated drivers and children. Proceeds benefit the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association. Visit nisra.org. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 23
Settlement Sunday
Head out to the Naper Settlement for a Settlement Sunday event, featuring do-it-yourself ice cream sundaes, tours of historic buildings, games and other family activities. The Naper Settlement is at 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Events are free with paid $8-$12 general admission. Kids younger than 4 admitted free. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.museum. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 23
Art utopia
The second annual Artopia Festival brings together Chicago's top artistic and musical talents to the historic Congress Theater, 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Chicago's largest indoor music and art festival features art displayed throughout the theater with more than 100 artists showcasing and selling their work, live art stations, body painting and walking art pieces, live music performances on the main stage, DJs, an outdoor area with hands-on activities and live graffiti art. Admission is $6-$10; free for kids younger than 12. (773) 491-2927 or www.artopiachicago.com. 2 to 10 p.m. Sunday, June 23