Barrington art festival begins summer events

Summer family fun in Barrington begins this weekend with the 8th Annual Barrington Art Festival, a concert by the North Shore Concert Band and the Memorial Day Parade.

And coming June 1, the annual Cruise Night festivities will rev up every Thursday all summer. The farmers market returns every Thursday starting June 15.

The Barrington Art Festival is produced by Amdur Productions and will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 27 and 28, at Cook and Station streets in the Village Center. The festival features 120 artists in all media and at all price points.

Also featured are local food and beverages, shopping and dining at local boutiques and restaurants, kids' activities (including a "Draw for the Troops" booth), and a Tesla Gullwing vehicle exhibit, among other activities.

Participating artists who display a green ribbon donate 10 percent of their proceeds to the American Cancer Society.

The North Shore Concert Band will perform following the art festival at 5 p.m. Saturday in the Barrington Bank & Trust parking lot at Cook and Lake streets in downtown Barrington. Known as "America's premier community band," The North Shore Concert Band performs traditional and patriotic community band favorites.

On Monday, the annual Memorial Day parade will step off at 10:30 a.m. at Park Avenue and Cook Street and will proceed down Main Street to Dundee, then up flag-lined Monument Avenue to Evergreen Cemetery. A solemn ceremony will be held there to honor veterans. In a new touch this year, attendees will be given roses to place on all veterans' graves at the cemetery.

At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 1, the annual Cruise Night festivities kick off in the Harris Bank parking lot at Cook and Station streets. Cruise Nights, presented by Marquardt of Barrington Buick-GMC, run each Thursday through Aug. 31. All vehicles are welcome, with each Thursday having its own theme.

For June, themes are: June 1, Chevy; June 8, Ford/Lincoln/Mercury; June 15, Mopar; June 22, Asian/British, European; June 29, Pony Cars/Convertibles. Each week features local food vendors, kids' activities, raffles and prizes, including the People's Choice award.

Beginning Thursday, June 15, the annual Barrington farmers market kicks off from 2-7 p.m. in the Park Avenue parking lot. The market runs every Thursday until Oct. 19 and features fresh produce, meats, pastries and bread, flowers, and other items from local farmers and producers. Ready-to-eat food and drink is also featured.

For more information, go to www.barringtonfarmersmarket.com.