Budget-friendly fun: Be amazed at Scarecrow Fest, Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest
Free
Scarecrow showcase
Be amazed at the more than 100 handcrafted scarecrows at the annual St. Charles Scarecrow Festival, at Main and 4th streets, and along the riverfront in downtown St. Charles. Find something new for your home at the Autumn on the Fox Arts and Crafts Show. Plus, there's more: a carnival, a petting zoo, live music and food. Free. scarecrowfest.com. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 7-8, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9
'In Her Own Right'
Chicagoan Marion Mahony Griffin (1871-1961) was one of America's first female architects. She became a pioneer in architecture and community planning and was also a member of Frank Lloyd Wright's Oak Park Studio for 15 years. The Elmhurst History Museum, 120 E. Park Ave., celebrates her early life and career in its newest exhibit, "In Her Own Right: Marion Mahony Griffin," opening Friday. Free. (630) 833-1457 or elmhursthistory.org. 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and Sundays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Mondays. Exhibit runs Friday, Oct. 7, through Sunday, March 12
Songs and civil rights
Folk singer Chris Vallillo discusses firsthand accounts of those who lived through the Civil Rights struggle during his "Music of the Civil Rights Movement" performance at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St. Plus, he'll perform songs that helped spread the Civil Rights-era message of equality for all. Free. (847) 255-1225 or ahmuseum.org. 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13
$15 and under
Pumpkins galore
Make the trek out to Highwood to see thousands of lit jack-o'-lanterns lining the pumpkin walls at the seventh annual Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival, at Highwood Avenue and Waukegan and Sheridan roads. Ceremonial wall lightings take place at 7:45 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Saturday, with the grand lighting at 7 p.m. Sunday. Besides the all-you-can-carve pumpkins, trick-or-treating, costume contests, pumpkin parade, hay rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, carnival rides and kids' crafts, there also will be two stages with entertainment and the Superhero 5K Pumpkin Run/Walk at 8 a.m. Saturday. Admission is $3 per day; or $5 for a weekend pass. Proceeds will benefit Make-A-Wish Illinois. highwoodpumpkinfest.com. 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9
Ferret fun
Calling all ferret fans: Make treks to 28th Annual Ferret Show Saturday in the Prairie Events Center at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Hosted by the Greater Chicago Ferret Association, ferret owners from across the country will be bringing their pets to be judged for a variety of ribbons and trophies. Don't miss the raffles, silent auctions and vendors selling small-pet merchandise. No walk-in registration for ferrets accepted. Adults $7; kids $3; family (up to four members) $15; and free for GCFA members. All proceeds benefit the GCFA shelter ferrets. gfsoe.weebly.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8
A famous Caesar on stage
"Julius Caesar," as presented by the Performing Arts at Oakton, offers an updated version of the famed play by giving it a modern twist with a look at contemporary culture. See it at the Footlik Theater at Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. $10-$12. (847) 635-1900 or oakton.edu/tickets. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 7-8; 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9; and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13. Shows continue through Oct. 16.
Sheep, sheep
It's all things sheep at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville, when it hosts its Sheep Sunday. Catch one of two sheepherding demonstrations with John Seraphine of Heatherhope Farm, plus see knitting and drop-spindle demonstrations, wool products on display (and for sale) throughout the grounds, a wool carding "try it" station and more. Admission is $12 adults; $10 seniors 62 and older; $8 kids 4-12; and free for kids younger than 4 and Naper Settlement members. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.org. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9. Sheepherding demonstrations at 1:45 and 2:45 p.m.
'Hollywood and World War II'
In an Illinois Humanities Road Scholars program, lecturer Edward Finch looks at the emergence of the combat film genre during World War II in the "Hollywood and World War II" program at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court. Finch will look at the movie industry's factory-like mass production during the war years and how it affected American culture then - and still affects it now. Tickets cost $10. Order online at prairiecenter.org or call (847) 895-3600. 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9