Dreaming of fun at suburban fests
While today marks the beginning of a new year, we've still got many weeks of the same chilly winter weather ahead.
But what better way to escape from the cold - at least mentally - than to imagine the upcoming joys of spring and summer.
And in the Northwest suburbs, many of those joys can be found at our communities' annual festivals.
Our fests offer everything from family-friendly entertainment and musical performances from well-known touring artists to a chance to feast on the town's best food and unique experiences that can't be found anywhere else.
Here are some of the festivals worth looking forward to in 2015:
Paint the Town Green
The town in this case is Palatine, which annually kicks off its festival season with a daylong celebration of St. Patrick's Day, the Emerald Isle and everything else Irish. The event features a parade through the village's downtown, an Irish Market with vendors selling foods, treats, jewelry, Irish trinkets, etc., tons of Irish food and drink, and Celtic-influenced music throughout the day. This year's fest is set to take place Saturday, March 15. elizeventsinc.com/stpatspalatine.
Long Grove Chocolate Festival
Traditionally one of the first fests of the season, this one is tailor made for chocoholics. It'll feature all things chocolate - from chocolate-dipped strawberries and doughnuts to brownies and fudge. There also will be live music and distinctive shopping, all in Historic Downtown Long Grove. This year, it will be held Friday through Sunday, May 15-17. visitlonggrove.com.
Frontier Days
One of the oldest and biggest festivals in the Northwest suburbs, Frontier Days brings big-name musical acts and much more to Arlington Heights every year over the Fourth of July holiday. This year's fest begins 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, and concludes at 10 p.m. Sunday, July 5. Activities include live entertainment on three stages, carnival, parade, food and drink, bingo, family activities, petting zoo, pony rides, 3v3 soccer, Citizens with Disabilities Day, and arts and crafts. It's held at Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner St. Details will be posted later this year at frontierdays.org.
Northwest Fourth-Fest
Hailed as the suburbs' biggest Fourth of July celebration, Northwest Fourth-Fest turns the parking lot of the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates into a massive festival grounds with space for live music, carnival rides and games, a much-improved fireworks show and more. Details on the dates and times of this year's fest aren't yet available. Visit northwestfourthfest.com.
Elk Grove Midsummer Classic Concerts
While it's not a festival in the traditional sense, no town will be spending more than Elk Grove Village this summer to bring in nationally known musical acts. The village and park district are spending $360,000 for six concerts on five nights featuring artists primarily from the 1970s and 1980s. The artists scheduled to perform are: Kenny Rogers (July 4), Kansas (July 7), 38 Special (July 14), Travis Tritt (July 21), and two shows July 28 featuring Christopher Cross and Air Supply. The first concert will be held in conjunction with the Lions Club's annual festival and fireworks at Lions Park, 200 Rev. Morrison Blvd. The other Elk Grove Village Midsummer Classic Concerts will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays on the Village Green, 901 Wellington Ave.
Schaumburg Septemberfest
The Northwest suburbs bids farewell to summer with this annual three-day festival over Labor Day that'll celebrate its 45th year in 2015. Featuring known musical acts on a main stage, one of the area's biggest parades, a large midway with rides and games, a fireworks show and lots more, Septemberfest offers something for just about every age and taste. This year's fest takes place from Saturday, Sept. 5 to Monday, Sept. 7. septemberfest.org.
Buffalo Grove Days
Buffalo Grove Days is one of the few suburban fests that places a big emphasis on serving people with disabilities. The event runs over five days from Thursday, Sept. 3, through Labor Day, Sept. 7. Highlights include live music, food and drink, carnival, parade, fireworks, Buddy Baseball game, craft fair, business fair and bingo. BGdays.com.