Budget-friendly fun: Does it get any better than free outdoor concerts?
Free
Windmill City Festival
Don't miss concerts by 7th Heaven and ARRA, plus take part in the Firehose Challenge (ages 5 and older), a pet parade, a bags tournament and more at the Windmill City Festival on the Riverwalk, Houston Street at Island Avenue, Batavia. If you need more reasons to head to the fest, there's the Windmill Whirl 5K run, an ice-cream-eating contest, a beer garden, a carnival, food, games, a craft show and more. Free. windmillcityfest.org. 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 10; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 11; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 12
Meadows Cruise Night
Love Corvettes? Then roll on over to the Meadows Cruise Night where you can view a variety of Corvettes and other classic cars at Meadows Christian Fellowship, 2401 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. Bring the family for kids' activities, food and more. Free. (847) 255-8764 or meadowsfamily.org. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 10
Buffalo Grove Art Festival
See the works of more than 100 juried artists at the annual Buffalo Grove Art Festival at the Buffalo Grove Town Center, Lake-Cook Road at Route 83, Buffalo Grove. Plus, there's more: live entertainment, kids' activities and a variety of food round out the fun. amdurproductions.com. Free. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 11-12
Sounds of summer
What better way to spend a summer evening than with an outdoor concert? The pop rock band Semple performs as part of the Downers Grove Summer Concert Series in Fishel Park, on Grove Street. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held at Lincoln Center, 935 Maple Ave. Free. dgparks.org. 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 14
$15 and under
Rockin' Ribfest
Take part in a rib cook-off or just enjoy already prepared barbecue ribs at the Lake in the Hills Rockin' Ribfest in Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road. Besides food, keep entertained with kids' games, concerts and a car show. (847) 742-3378 or lithribfest.com. Admission is $5 for ages 13 and older and free for active military with ID and kids 12 and younger accompanied by an adult. 4:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 10; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 11; and 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 12
Civil War Days
Watch re-enactments of famous Civil War battles during Civil War Days in the Lakewood Forest Preserve, 27277 N. Forest Preserve Road, Wauconda. Meet famous Civil War characters, see period demonstrations, browse through Civil War-era items in a marketplace and more. $5-$10. lcfpd.org for a full schedule and a printable coupon. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 11; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 12
Folk concert
Folk artists Katie Dahl and Emily White perform in a Lake County Folk Club-sponsored concert at Fatman Bowl, 13860 Rockland Road, Green Oaks. Acoustic guitarist and humorist Ted Geise opens the show. Admission is $10-$12; $5 for teens. Call (847) 602-8882 for reservations or see thelakecountyfolkclub.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, July 12
'Minions'
Variety the Children's Charity hosts a special screening of the new film "Minions" at the York Theatre, 150 N. York Ave., Elmhurst. The film is rated PG. Admission is $10 per person and includes a gold heart Minion (while supplies last). A donation of $5 from each ticket purchased goes to Variety the Children's Charity to help provide specialized equipment for disabled and disadvantaged children. varietyofillinois.org or classiccinemas.com. 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 14
Hometown history
Marshall Krolick, an authority on the 8th Illinois Cavalry, presents a program about the life of Marcellus Jones, an officer in Company E of the Eighth Regiment, who fired the first shot at Gettysburg during the Civil War. Jones' hometown was Danby, Illinois, which is now the village of Glen Ellyn. The program takes place at the Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn. $5 at the door. (630) 469-1867. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 14