The briefs

Mexican Festival will happen Saturday

The Des Plaines Park District has rescheduled "Festival!," a celebration of Mexican Independence Day, from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Lake Park Memorial Pavilion, Touhy and Lee streets. Highlights include Mexican music and traditional Mexican dances. There will be free face painting, arts and crafts, games and bounce houses and traditional Mexican food.

Vote early, often for Bartrum Park

Elk Grove Park District's Bartrum Park has been chosen as a participant in the second year of "Staples Dream Park Challenge with the Bears," a local parks improvement initiative. During the challenge, 15 parks throughout the Chicago area, will compete for the chance to win the grand prize of $25,000 to be used for park improvements and a winner's celebration featuring Bears' star Adewale Ogunleye at Soldier Field. Through Nov. 17, Elk Grove Village residents can vote once per day for Bartrum Park at www.StaplesDreamPark.com/Bears, and pickup a free "power card" at any area Staples store to have their online vote count 10 extra times. Bartrum Park, would use the grand prize to build a new playground, picnic shelter and enhance the ball field and landscaping.

Find out worth at appraisal fair

Appraise the Past - Appraisal Fair will be from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont. Admission is $3 per family; appraisals, $5 per item; $5 for small collections of 20 to 25 items. Limited to three items per person. Collectibles, china, silverware, artwork and small furniture are some of the items that can be appraised. Three appraisers will provide oral appraisals and no preregistration is required. There will also be a bake sale. For more information, call (847) 255-1225.