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Where to find suburban Memorial Day fests

Mark Memorial Day weekend with fests, parades and more

The Memorial Day weekend ushers in the unofficial start of summer with ceremonies honoring those who have served our country, plus patriotic parades and festivals.

Here's a look at suburban fests and more this weekend:

Elgin Valley Fox Trot: 7:30 a.m. Saturday, May 23, at 150 Dexter Court, Elgin. 5K and 10-mile race that historically draws more than 2,000 people. Includes two-mile Walk for a Cause. Advance fees: 5K $35; 10-mile $45. Day-of fees: 5K $40; 10-mile $55. Walk fees: $12 each or $40 for 4. cityofelgin.org/foxtrot.

Barrington Fine Art Festival: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 23-24, at Cook and Station streets, Barrington. Features more than 130 juried artists from around the world in a variety of mediums, with demonstrations, booth chats, live music, kids' activities and food. On Sunday, results of the Barrington sesquicentennial poster contest will be announced. Free. amdurproductions.com.

Schaumburg Prairie Arts Festival: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 23-24, at the Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center grounds, adjacent to the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. The 28th annual outdoor fine art and craft exhibition and sale features artists, entertainment, food trucks and kids' activities. Free. prairiecenter.org.

Family Field Day: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 23, at St. James Farm Forest Preserve, on Winfield Road between Galusha Avenue and Mack Road, Warrenville. Celebrate the heritage of St. James Farm at this annual event featuring canine and equestrian performances, a dairy exhibit, hayrides, guided tours, kids' activities, archery, fishing, food and more. Free; fees for some activities. (630) 933-7248.

Rolling Meadows Memorial Day parade and ceremony: 11 a.m. Saturday, May 23, in downtown Rolling Meadows on Kirchoff Road. Free. ci.rolling-meadows.il.us.

St. Charles Fine Art Show: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 23, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 24, on Riverside and Walnut avenues, off Main Street, St. Charles. Features the work of 100 juried artists in various media, including watercolor, oil, sculpture, photography and more. Free. (630) 443-3967 or www.downtownstcharles.org.

Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest: 12:15 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 23-24, at 3200 N. Sheffield, Chicago. This annual festival unofficially kicks off Chicago's summer street fest season with top local tribute bands, food, and arts and crafts. $5. chicagoevents.com.

Bluesmobile Cruise Nights Car Show: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 23, in the Metra commuter lot, one block west of Route 83, Mount Prospect. Music, entertainment and on-site giveaways. Free. mpdma.org.

Streamwood Memorial Day Tribute: Starts at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 23, with a POW/MIA candlelight vigil and ends with a ceremony at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 24, at the Streamwood Veterans Memorial, 301 E. Irving Park Road. Vigil goes overnight with guard who marches along the monuments. Free. (630) 736-3800 or streamwood.org.

Salute Inc. 5K/10K & Tactical Challenge: 8 a.m. Sunday, May 24, at Miner School, 1101 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights. Fundraiser for Salute Inc., which helps military service members, veterans and their families. $30-$55. saluteinc.org.

Crystal Lake Family Kite Festival: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 24, at Lippold Park, 1251 Route 176, Crystal Lake. First 350 kids will receive a free kite kit. There will be a Candy Drop, raffle drawings and professional kite fliers. Novice, stunt and show kites will be on sale. Free. chicagokite.com.

Day Trip Music Festival: Noon Sunday, May 24, at Redmoon Theater, 2120 S. Jefferson St., Chicago. An all-day electronic music festival over four consecutive Sundays of the summer. $10. eventsprout.com/register/daytrip_music__festival.

Dundee Memorial Day Parade: 2 p.m. Sunday, May 24, starting at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Van Buren and Route 72, East Dundee, and heading west on Main Street, and ending with a short ceremony at Grafelman Park in West Dundee. Free. (847) 428-9006.

Fox River Grove Memorial Day parade: 8 a.m. Monday, May 25. Parade starts at Algonquin Road School and continues down Algonquin Road to South River Road. The parade, hosted by the American Legion Frank H. Nagel Jr. Post 119, ends at Lions Park, 747 S. River Road, with a ceremony. Free. foxrivergrove-il.org.

Elgin Memorial Day services: Starts with a service at Mount Hope Cemetery, 1001 Villa St., Elgin, at 8:45 a.m. Monday, May 25. The 9:15 a.m. service at Lakewood Memorial Park, 30W730 Route 20, will be followed by a ceremony at Elgin Veterans Memorial Park, 270 N. Grove, at 9:45 a.m. At 11 a.m., a program at Bluff City Cemetery, 945 Bluff City Blvd., will pay tribute to women who served as nurses in the military and include a keynote address by Lorraine Darr, former U.S. Air Force nurse in Vietnam. Free. www.elginmemorialday.org.

Maple Park Memorial Day services: 9 a.m. to noon Monday, May 25, at six Maple Park cemeteries. Services will start at 9 a.m. and follow at 15-minute intervals. From 11 a.m. to noon, a short service will be held at the post home, 203 Main St., Maple Park. Free. villageofmaplepark.org.

Arlington Heights Memorial Day parade: The parade has been canceled due to threats of severe weather. The Memorial Day ceremony will still take place at 11 a.m. Monday, May 25, but will be moved inside to the gymnasium at Christian Liberty Academy, 502 W. Euclid Ave. Organizers are asking volunteers to join the Honor Flag Unit, wearing banners with the individual names of veterans. Free. glueckertfh.com or call Jackie at (847) 253-0168.

Elmhurst Memorial Day Parade: 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 25, The 97th annual parade steps off from the Elmhurst City Centre at Third and York and proceeds to the Elmhurst Veterans Memorial in Wilder Park. Following the parade, there will be a Post-Parade Military Ceremony at Wilder Park. Free. www.elmhurstchamber.org.

Itasca Memorial Day Parade & Service: 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 25, in Usher Park, 200 S. Walnut St., Itasca. The parade commemorates the 125th anniversary of the village of Itasca. A memorial service will be held following the parade at Usher Park. Free. itascaparkdistrict.com.

Libertyville Memorial Day Parade: 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 25, at Libertyville Village Hall, 118 W. Cook St., Libertyville. A silent parade will march from the train station to Cook Memorial Park. At 9:45 a.m. a service at the Veterans Memorial in Cook Memorial Park will include music from the Libertyville High School band, a presentation by Mayor Weppler, representatives of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars and high school essay winners. Free. libertyville.com.

Mount Prospect Memorial Day parade: 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 25. Starts at Emerson Street and Busse Avenue and ends at the Veterans' Memorial Band Shell at Lions Park where a ceremony will be held. Any interested citizens can march; veterans are encouraged. Free. vfw1337.us or call coordinator Dutch DeGroot at (847) 577-5374.

Algonquin Memorial Day Parade: 10 a.m. Monday, May 25. The American Legion Post 1231 parade begins near the veterans' monument at the Algonquin Cemetery, proceeds south down North Main Street to Front Street, and then ends at Riverfront Park. algonquin.org.

Barrington Memorial Day parade and ceremony: 10 a.m. Monday, May 25. Parade starts at Cook and Main streets and proceeds to Evergreen Cemetery for a short service to commemorate U.S. men and women who died in military service. Free. (847) 304-3355 or barrington-il.gov.

Bartlett Memorial Day Walk and Remembrance: 10 a.m. to noon Monday, May 25. Starts with the American Legion flag retirement ceremony at Bartlett Park, Oak and North avenues. At 11 a.m., veterans, scouts, bagpipers and other civic groups step off for a walk to Bartlett cemetery for a ceremony. Free. Call Paula Schumacher at (630) 837-0800 or see Village.bartlett.il.us.

Elburn Memorial Day ceremony: 10 a.m. Monday, May 25, at Blackberry Township cemetery, Route 47 and Keslinger Road, Elburn. The Elburn American Legion Post 630 Color Guard will depart from Lions Park at 10 a.m. and march to the cemetery. Elburn Boy Scout Troop 7's fundraising pancake breakfast runs from 7 to 9:30 a.m. at the American Legion, 112 N. Main St., Elburn. $5; free for kids 5 and younger. elburnpost630.org or (630) 697-0356.

Hanover Park Memorial Day ceremony: 10 a.m. Monday, May 25, at Veterans Memorial Plaza in front of village hall, 2121 W. Lake St. Four new bricks honoring veterans will be added to the plaza. Free. Hpil.org.

Hoffman Estates/Schaumburg Joint Memorial Day ceremony: 10 a.m. Monday, May 25. Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial next to the Hoffman Estates Police Department, 411 W. Higgins Road. Attendees then travel to St. Peter Lutheran Church, 202 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, for a 10:45 a.m. ceremony at the historic church and cemetery. Ceremony includes awards, music and speakers. Free. hoffmanestates.org.

Lake Zurich Memorial Day Parade: 10 a.m. Monday, May 25, at American Legion Post 964, 51 Lions Drive, Lake Zurich. Parade forms at 9:45 a.m. Route is Main Street from Lions Drive to South Old Rand Road, southeast to Mohawk, then to the Veterans Memorial near the police facility. Ceremony begins around 11 a.m. One guest speaker will be Medal of Honor recipient Allan Lynch. To march in the parade, call the post commander at (847) 438-1920. Free.

Lincolnshire Memorial Day Celebration: 10 a.m. Monday, May 25, at Spring Lake Park, 49 Oxford Drive, Lincolnshire. Event will include a guest speaker and music. Free. village.lincolnshire.il.us/.

Lindenhurst Memorial Day ceremony: 10 a.m. Monday, May 25, at the Lindenhurst Veterans Memorial at village hall, 2301 E. Sand Lake Road. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the public works garage behind village hall. Free. lindenhurstil.org.

Mundelein Memorial Day parade: 10 a.m. Monday, May 25. Steps off in front of Village Hall, 300 Plaza Circle, Mundelein. The parade will form at 9:45 a.m. and end at Memorial Park, where the mayor will speak. Free. mundelein.org.

Palatine Memorial Day parade and ceremonies: 10 a.m. Monday, May 25. Memorial service at Hillside Cemetery on Smith Street, followed by a parade starting at Cornell Avenue and Smith Street, ending at the Veterans Memorial in Community Park, Palatine and Oak, for an 11 a.m. ceremony. A ceremony will be held at 12:15 p.m. at the Legion Memorial in Towne Square, 150 W. Palatine Road. Residents are invited to the American Legion following the events. Free. alpost690.us.

Round Lake Area Memorial Day Parade: 10 a.m. Monday, May 25, American Legion Post 1170, 111 E. Main St. (Route 134), Round Lake Park. The parade steps off at Clifton Drive and Main Street, and heads west to Cedar Lake, then north to Clarendon. There will be memorials during and after the parade. The theme is “Lest We Forget.” Free. rlchamber.org.

South Elgin Memorial Day Service: 10 a.m. Monday, May 25, at Panton Mill Park, 10 N. Water St., South Elgin. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the municipal annex. Free. southelgin.com.

St. Charles Memorial Day Parade: 10 a.m. Monday, May 25, starting at Sixth and Main streets and continuing to Riverside Avenue, ending at Freedom Shrine (along the Fox River north of the police department) where there will be a ceremony. Free. stcharlesil.gov.

Des Plaines Memorial Day parade and ceremony: 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 25. Parade starts at the Maine West High School parking lot at Wolf and Howard and heads east to the Lake Park Memorial Pavilion on Lee Street for the 11 a.m. ceremony. Free. (847) 296-9878.

Naperville Memorial Day Parade: 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 25. Parade steps off at Jackson Avenue and West Street, proceeds east to Washington Street, north to Benton, and east to the SS. Peter & Paul Church parking lot. Ceremony afterward at Central Park. Free. napervillememorialdayparade.com.

Elk Grove Village Memorial Day observation: 10:45 a.m. Monday, May 25, at the Elk Grove Village Park District Pavilion, 1000 Wellington Ave., Elk Grove. Participants include VFW Post 9284 and the Ladies Auxiliary. Free. (847) 357-4040.

Fox Lake Memorial Day Ceremony: 11 a.m. Monday, May 25, at the Fox Lake Metra Station, Nippersink and Grand Avenue, Fox Lake. Memorial Day ceremony by Fox Lake American Legion Post 703. Free. foxlakeamericanlegion.org.

Huntley Memorial Day Parade: 11 a.m. Monday, May 25. Starts at the municipal complex, 10987 Main St., and heads west on Main Street to Woodstock Street and turns right (north) for a ceremony at Huntley American Legion Post 673. There will be speakers and a presentation honoring veterans. Free. huntley.il.us.

Lisle Memorial Day Parade: 11 a.m. Monday, May 25, at Lisle Junior High School, 5207 Center Ave., Lisle. Parade proceeds to Lisle Village Hall, where a Veterans Remembrance Ceremony is held at 11:30 a.m. The Lisle VFW holds a second ceremony at 11:45 a.m. at Lisle Cemetery. A community picnic follows at noon at Museums at Lisle Station Park, 921 School St. Free. (630) 271-9806.

Wood Dale Memorial Day Parade: 11 a.m. Monday, May 25, at Wood Dale Junior High, 655 N. Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale. From Wood Dale Junior High, the parade travels south to Irving Park Road and west on Irving Park to the Veterans Memorial, where a ceremony will be held. Free. wooddale.com or (630) 766-4900.

Aurora Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony: 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 25. Starts outside the Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place, Aurora. Parade at noon proceeds east on Benton, north on Broadway, west on Downer Place, ending on River Street. Free. aurora-il.org.

West Dundee Memorial Day Cemetery Service: 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 25, at River Valley Memorial Gardens, off Route 31, just north of I-90, West Dundee. Tri-city Evergreen Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2298 and Auxiliary will participate in the half-hour service, which will honor 1,050 veterans buried at River Valley Memorial Gardens. Cemetery staff and volunteers will place U.S. flags on veteran garages on Friday, May 22. (847) 426-3031 or rivervalleymemorialgardens.com. Free.

Lake Villa Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony: Noon Monday, May 25, at Palombi Middle School, 131 McKinley Ave., Lake Villa. Lake Villa VFW Post 4308 and Boy School Troop 323 host the annual parade, which starts at the school and proceeds north to Grand Avenue and then to Cedar Avenue to Lehmann Park, 148 Cedar Ave., Lake Villa. The park will be the site of the memorial service after the parade. There will be speakers, and the Lakes Community High School band will perform patriotic songs. The VFW will host a free hot dog lunch after the service. Free, but donations are welcome. Call Betty Burns at (847) 356-1076 or visit lake-villa.org.

  Oil paintings are some of the works featured at the annual Barrington Arts Festival. Daily Herald file photo by Gilbert R. Boucher II / gboucher@dailyherald.com
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