Budget-friendly fun: Beer, brats, oompah at Palatine's Oktoberfest
Free
Oktoberfest in Palatine
Get your fill of German music, authentic German fare, a variety of beer and more under a heated tent during the Palatine Rotary Club's Eighth Annual Oktoberfest, on the corner of Smith and Slade streets in downtown Palatine. Family Day activities, which run from noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, include a bike ride, games, a soccer wall and more. Free. palatinerotary.com. 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, Sept. 18; noon to midnight Saturday, Sept. 19; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20
On deck
Collectors can browse through thousands of baseball, football, hockey and other sports cards at the Sports Card Show at the Elgin Holiday Inn, 495 Airport Road, Elgin. Free. For information, call Corky at (847) 815-5810 or email collectibles2@yahoo.com. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19
Depot Days
See "Maggie the Milking Cow," take a hayride and play old-fashioned games at the annual Lisle Depot Days at the Museums at Lisle Station Park, 921 School St., Lisle. Other events include a sidewalk-art competition, a community birdhouse auction, a petting zoo, a model train layout, blacksmithing and beekeeping demonstrations, contests and more. Free. lisleparkdistrict.org. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19-20
Irish afternoon
Irish tenor and balladeer Paddy Homan presents an afternoon of singing and storytelling at Christ Church United Church of Christ, 1492 Henry, Des Plaines. A reception follows the performance. Free. (847) 297-4230. 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19
Fallapalooza
Get in the mood for fall with hayrides, pony rides, music, a petting zoo, games, carnival rides, food and more as part of the Fallapalooza celebration at Heritage Park, 333 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling. The country band Wild Daisy performs from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Free. wheelingparkdistrict.com. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20
$15 and under
Elmhurst Artists' Guild
The Elmhurst Artists' Guild presents a wide variety of works in its Fall Member Show, running through Friday, Oct. 23, at Elmhurst Artists' Guild Gallery at the Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 S. Cottage Hill, Elmhurst. Prizes will be awarded at a free opening reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, in the gallery. Regular exhibit admission is $8 adults; $7 seniors; and free for EAM members, students and kids younger than 18. Free admission the first Friday of each month. elmhurstartistsguild.org. Exhibition hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; closed Monday
'A Few Good Men'
PM&L Theatre presents "A Few Good Men," a drama focusing on two U.S. Marines who uncover a conspiracy within the military. Show contains adult language and is not recommended for younger audiences. PM&L Theatre is at 877 Main St., Antioch. $10-$15. (847) 395-3055 or pmltheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 18-19, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20
Sheep Sunday
Celebrate the woolly world of sheep during Sheep Sunday at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Events include sheepherding demonstrations, knitting and drop-spindle demonstrations, a make-it-take-it station and more. $12 adults; $10 seniors (62 and older) and $8 kids 4-12. Free for Naperville residents and members. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.org. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20