Best of the fests
Were you so inclined, you could spend the next few months fest-hopping. Toward that end, we've asked some of the Daily Herald's most informed and intrepid fest-goers to pick the season's best. Enjoy and remember the sunscreen.
Pride of the Fox RiverFest
June 6-8
Downtown St. Charles, centered around Main Street and First Avenue and extending to Lincoln Park on the west and Pottawatomie Park, (630) 584-8415 or prideofthefox.com
Notable headliners: Not announced as of press time
Kid stuff: Carnival, "Canine Capers" dog shows, duck racing, sand sculptures
Why you should go: For the award-winning festival's water ski show and its signature dragon boat races at Pottawatomie Park
-- Josh Stockinger
Libertyville Days
June 12-15
Downtown Libertyville, between Milwaukee Avenue and Brainerd, (847) 680-0040 or libciviccenter.org
Notable headliners: Not announced as of press time, but following recent trends, the village hosts several "American Idol"-style talent contests for children and adults along with a battle of the bands and live band karaoke
Kid stuff: Carnival, children's cookie bake-off, junior "Iron Chef" competition
Why you should go: To check out the giant helium balloons featured in the Libertyville Days Parade
-- Mick Zawislak
Midsommar Festival -- Swedish Days
June 17-22
Routes 38 and 31 in Geneva, (866) 443-6382 or genevachamber.com
Notable headliners: Liverpool, a Beatles tribute band
Kid stuff: Carnival, children's parade, Ferris wheel
Why you should go: Where else can you get a lingonberry float or see the traditional Scandinavian art of rosemaling?
-- Susan Sarkauskas
Lisle's Eyes to the Skies
July 2-6 (carnival only July 2)
Lisle Community Park, Short Street west of Route 53, eyestotheskiesfestival.com
Notable headliners: Blake Shelton July 3, Kansas July 4, Drake Bell July 5, Bucky Covington July 6
Kid stuff: Children's Area includes a variety of games like ring toss and bean bags as well as different shows such as a magician and a lumberjack show
Why you should go: How often do you get to see a fleet of hot air balloons launch in person?
Admission: Five-day MegaPass is $50; daily rates are $5 for adults before 5 p.m., $7 after 5 p.m.; $2 for children ages 5-12; free for children younger than 5; mainstage tickets cost $10 in advance, $12 at the door
-- Jake Griffin
Palatine Hometown Fest 2008
July 2-6
Palatine Community Park, Palatine Road and Northwest Highway, Palatine, (847) 604-0288 or palatinejaycees.org.
Notable headliners: Elvis 2,000/Bluz Brothers; Think Floyd USA; Paul Windsor Orchestra; Wedding Banned
Kid stuff: Bike parade, games, carnival rides and the ever-popular fireworks
Thrills: The Zipper, Gravitron and Hurricane are especially popular
Why you should go: Top rides, arts and crafts fair and the chance to hang out with 50,000 of your closest friends at the annual fireworks display
-- Kimberly Pohl
Frontier Days
July 2-6
Recreation Park, on Miner Street, three blocks east of Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, (847) 577-8572 or frontierdays.org
Notable headliners: Not announced as of press time
Kid stuff: Carnival rides, Baggo tournament, three-on-three soccer tourney
Why you should go: Now in its 33rd year, Frontier Days -- three-time recipient of the Governor's Hometown Award -- offers some of the best free music in the 'burbs.
-- Sheila Ahern
Naperville Exchange Club's Ribfest
July 3-6
Knoch Park in Naperville, at the corner of Hillside and West Street, ribfest.net
Notable headliners: Ted Nugent July 3, REO Speedwagon July 4, Trace Adkins July 6
Kid stuff: Discounted carnival rides from noon to 4 p.m., magic shows, petting zoo, acrobats and dozens of games all in the BP Family Area
Why you should go: Music all day long on two different stages, carnival rides and, oh yeah, barbecue pork ribs from 20-plus rib vendors
Admission: $10, children younger than 11 admitted free
-- Jake Griffin
Vernon Hills Summer Celebration
July 16-20
Century Park, a half mile north of Milwaukee Road on Lakeview Parkway near routes 21 and 60, Vernon Hills, (847) 367-3700 or vernonhills.org
Notable headliners: The Gin Blossoms, Creedence Clearwater Revisited
Kid stuff: Carnival rides, art projects
Why you should go: The fest marks the village's 50th anniversary, so expect some extra oomph this year
-- Mick Zawislak
Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Art Festival
July 19 and 20
Buffalo Grove Town Center, at Route 83 and Lake-Cook Road, Buffalo Grove, (847) 459-2518 or amdurproductions.com
Notable headliners: Art is the star of this fest, but the acoustic duo Cirrus Falcon performs
Kid stuff: Deerfield Bakery hosts some sweet activities for children; local libraries sponsor bookmark decorating
Why you should go: Ranked among the nation's top 10 art festivals by Sunshine Art magazine, the fest, which showcases more than 150 artists, is among the suburbs' best attended and most respected.
-- Nadia Malik
Gurnee Days
Aug. 7-10
Viking Park, and around O'Plaine Road and Old Grand Avenue, Gurnee, (847) 249-9613, (847) 623-7788 or gurnee.il.us/gurnee_days
Notable headliners: Not announced as of press time, but the village's most talented (and boldest) residents will compete in a "Gurnee Idol" contest
Kid stuff: Amusement rides, games, beach bash and a baby contest
Why you should go: Fireworks, the Gurnee Breakfast Exchange Club's Rib Fest
-- Bob Susnjara