Budget-friendly fun: Civil War Days brings past to life at Naper Settlement
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Civil War Days
More than 300 re-enactors bring the past to life as the 150th anniversary of the Civil War is commemorated during Civil War Days at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. The settlement becomes a Civil War encampment where guests can meet famous characters such as Abraham Lincoln. $10-$15. Free for members and children younger than 4. napersettlement.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17. A battle is held at 2:30 p.m. each day.
Free
Handbells, Harp and Guitar Spring Concert
The Community School of the Arts at Wheaton College presents its Handbells, Harp & Guitar Spring Concert in the college's Pierce Memorial Chapel at the corner of Washington and Franklin streets, Wheaton. The program features performances by the CSA choir and instrumental students playing flute, guitar and handbells. Free. (630) 752-5567 or wheaton.edu. 7 p.m. Friday, May 15
Art Exhibition and Plant Sale
Get your garden ready for the season by visiting the 10th Annual Reed-Turner Woodland Botanical Art Exhibition and Plant Sale at the Reed-Turner Woodland Nature Preserve, 3849 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Find a wide variety of plants for sale, including those for both sun and shade, along with shrubs and trees. The Reed-Turner Woodland Botanic Artists' Circle will provide works of art, with everything from notecards and prints to originals. Free. (847) 438-4743 or reedturnerbotanicalartists.net or lgparks.org. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 16, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 17
Train Day
Train enthusiasts are invited to be engineers for a day at the Train Day event at Lambs Farm, 14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville. Visitors can operate a variety of model railroads sets, work on train-related crafts and take part in other train-related activities. Many events take place within the shops on Lambs Farm grounds. Free admission; some activities have fees ranging up to $4. lambsfarm.org. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 16
Farm fun
Prairie Crossing Farm hosts its annual Organic Plant Sale and Farm Open House at the farm, 32400 N. Harris Road, Grayslake. Purchase organic plants for a garden, see the farm's chickens, view tractors and meet local farmers to learn how they produce food. Guests can also take part in a scavenger hunt or a walking farm tour (sturdy shoes are recommended). Free. Event held rain or shine, with some activities dependent on the weather. libertyprairie.org. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16
Cruise Nights
See a variety of classic cars at the BluesMobile Cruise Nights in the Metra commuter parking lot along Northwest Highway, one block west of Route 83, Mount Prospect. Don't miss the music, entertainment and on-site giveaways. facebook.com/bmbcruisenights or downtownmountprospect.com. Free. 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 16
$15 and under
Rare Breeds Show
Breeders from around the Midwest will display rare livestock at the 29th annual Rare Breeds Show at the Garfield Farm Museum, 3N016 Garfield Road, Campton Hills. Some of the breeders may offer livestock, poultry and byproducts for sale. Guests can watch cow-milking and sheepshearing demonstrations and take part in other activities. $3-$6. garfieldfarm.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17
Illinois Brass Band
The Illinois Brass Band presents its Brass Triumphant concert at the First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights, 1903 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. The program features tenor horn soloist Paul Bennett of the Fairey Brass Band of England. $6-$12. Buy tickets in advance at illinoisbrassband.org or at the door. 3 p.m. Sunday, May 17