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Weekend picks: Fests, fireworks and more fests for the 4th

FRIDAY

Independence events: Catch bands like Smash Mouth and Modern Day Romeos amid the rides and carnival games at the Northwest Fourth-Fest this weekend at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. No admission charge. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 8:45 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, July 4; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 5; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 6

Up, up and away: The Eyes to the Skies Festival promises a carnival, fireworks and, of course, its famous array of colorful hot air balloons. The fun starts on Wednesday at Lisle Community Park, 1825 Short St. (Route 53), Lisle. $7 admission; free for kids ages 7 and younger. eyestotheskies.org. 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 4-5; carnival only from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 6

Lions host annual fest: The Mount Prospect Lions Club hosts its annual Village Festival in Melas Park, 1500 W. Central Road, Mount Prospect. Event features fireworks, a carnival, live entertainment, games, food court, beer garden, raffles, pancake breakfast and more. Free admission. (847) 870-6622 or mtprospectlions.com. 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, July 4; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 5; 1 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, July 6. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 4

Frontier Days: See entertainment on three stages and take a spin on some carnival rides at Arlington Heights Frontier Days in Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights. Other highlights include a parade, food, soccer, arts and crafts, a petting zoo and many other family activities. Free admission. Visit frontierdays.org. 10 a.m. to midnight Friday, July 4; 8 a.m. to midnight Saturday, July 5; 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 6

Japanimation station: Fans of Japanese animation and manga comic books won't want to miss the Fourth Annual Anime Midwest Convention this weekend, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont. $40 one-day pass; $55-$100 three-day pass. (847) 696-1234 or animemidwest.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, July 4-6

BBQ bonanza: Fill up on ribs while hearing music acts at the Naperville Exchange Club's Ribfest starting Thursday at Knoch Park, West Street and Martin Avenue, Naperville. $15 admission; kids ages 11 and younger admitted free. (630) 259-1129 or ribfest.net. Noon to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, July 4-6

Patriotic music: The Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus provides an evening of patriotic American music for its Independence Day Salute tonight at Millennium Park's Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Monroe streets, Chicago. No admission charge. (312) 742-1168 or grantparkmusicfestival.com. 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 4

SATURDAY

Foam fun: See what colors your clothes turn when you get a chance to run or walk through a series of multicolored bubble foam masses at the Bubble Palooza charity event this Saturday at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $45-$50. (863) 521-7165 or bubblepalooza.com/chicago-illinois. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 5

Travel America Festival: Celebrate American history at the Travel America Festival at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. The fest looks at American history with various cultural events, including Native American dancing, yodeling, cowboy rope trick performances, music and more. Free with paid $9-$12 general admission to the Arboretum. Visit mortonarb.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 5, and Sunday, July 6

Botanic arts: More than 100 artists display and sell their work for the Chicago Botanic Garden Art Festival this weekend at 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Free admission; $25-$30 parking per car or van. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 5 and 6

Mad about him: Famed for his hit NBC sitcom “Mad About You” and appearing in the sci-fi thriller “Aliens,” comedian Paul Reiser returns this Saturday to do standup comedy at Zanies at MB Financial Park, Rosemont. $30 plus a two-menu item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 5

Shine on, Sarah: Lilith Fair co-founder Sarah McLachlan returns to perform old and new material from her latest album, “Shine On,” this Saturday at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $75-$90 pavilion seating; $38-$43 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 5

SUNDAY

Settlement Sundays: The Naper Settlement, at 523 S. Webster St., Naperville, hosts its latest Settlement Sundays event with free ice cream sundaes and do-it-yourself toppings, hands-on family activities and tours of historic buildings. Admission is $12 adults; $10 seniors; $8 for youth ages 4-12. Kids under age 4, Naperville residents and members are free. (630) 420-6010 or visit napersettlement.org. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 6. Ice cream is served from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Outdoor rock: The Under the Sun Tour Sugar Ray, Uncle Kracker Blues Traveler promises loads of games, activities, products and displays for toddlers up to teenagers on Sunday, at the RiverEdge Park, 360 Broadway St., Aurora. $30. (630) 896-6666 or riveredgeaurora.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, July 6

Noise-rock maestros: Every Chicago-area rock fan is duty-bound to see Shellac in concert at least once. The local noise-rock trio is anchored by Steve Albini, the musician-producer known for his acerbic wit, fierce punk-rock work ethic and wizardry on the electric guitar. Albini is joined in Shellac by bassist Bob Weston (a stellar producer in his own right) and drummer Todd Trainer — together, they form one of the most blistering rock acts around, a band that is never better than when it is playing live for a home crowd at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $15. Go to lincolnhallchicago.com. 8 p.m. Sunday, July 6

  A hot air balloon launch as part of Eyes to the Skies in Lisle. Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com
Shop for manga books and more at the Fourth Annual Anime Midwest Convention at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont. Daily Herald File Photo
Comedian Paul Reiser ("Mad About You") returns to Zanies in Rosemont.
Daily Herald File PhotoShop for manga books and more at the Fourth Annual Anime Midwest Convention at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont.
Smash Mouth headlines Saturday night at the Northwest Fourth-Fest at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates.
Blues Traveler plays RiverEdge Park in Aurora as part of the Under the Sun Tour on Sunday, July 6.
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