This weekend's for the nature lovers: Stuff to do on the cheap
Free
For the birds
Celebrate our fine-feathered friends with a full day of bird-related activities at the International Migratory Bird Day Celebration. Learn tips on bird-watching, and watch as birds are banded for tracking. Hear a presentation about the 20 types of birds most often seen at bird feeders, and learn what the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors' group is doing to aid birds who have flown into buildings.
9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the Willowbrook Wildlife Center at 525 S. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Free. Reservations are required for a number of activities. Call (630) 942-6200 or visit dupageforest.com.
Nirvana for nature lovers
The American Society of Botanical Artists Reed-Turner Group and the Long Grove-Kildeer Garden Club will host their Fourth Annual Plant & Botanic Art Show and Sale. Guests can view and purchase colorful works of art, depicting many views of nature. Garden enthusiasts can purchase heirloom tomato plants, flowers and herbs as they prepare for spring and summer planting.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, at the Reed-Turner Woodland and Nature Preserve, 3849 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Admission is free. (847) 438-4743.
Four for free
Four museums in Elmhurst will open their doors to the public free of charge to celebrate International Museum Day during the afternoon on Sunday, May 17. The public is invited to explore the Elmhurst Art Museum (at 150 Cottage Hill); The Elmhurst Historical Museum (at 120 E. Park Ave.); the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art (220 Cottage Hill) and the Theatre Historical Society of America (at 152 N. York, second floor). A free trolley will shuttle visitors between museums every 20 minutes.
"13th Annual Museum Day" runs from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at the four museums in Elmhurst (listed above). Free admission. (630) 834-0202 or elmhurstartmuseum.org.
What a day for Fair Diddley!
Shop outdoors in the spring air and browse through the works of more than 300 crafters from across the United States at the "41st Annual Fair Diddley." Along with the artwork, visitors can peruse plants at a plant sale. Local shops will provide plenty of fare - everything from ice cream cones to pork shop sandwiches.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 17, in historic Woodstock Square, at Van Buren and Benton streets, Woodstock. Free parking and admission. Shuttle buses are available. Sponsored by the Mental Health Resource League for McHenry County. (815) 385-5745 or mhrl.org.
How fast can those waiters run?
Stop by the annual Taste of Glen Ellyn to sample a variety of foods, hop on a few carnival rides, and view crafts. For a bit of offbeat entertainment, watch the hot-dog eating contest and see waiters, carrying trays of glasses, race through obstacle courses. The McNulty School of Irish Dancers will perform, along with the band Maggie Speaks. A magician, unicyclist ands stilt-walker will also make their way through the festival to entertain guests.
5 to 11 p.m. Friday, May 15; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 16; noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at the Main Street parking lot, on Main between Duane Street and Hillside Avenue, Glen Ellyn. Free admission. There is a charge for food and carnival rides. (630) 469-0907 or visit glenellynchamber.com.
$10 and under
Classic records
Dealers from around the country will display thousands of collectible LP record albums and tricky-to-find CDs at the Midwest Classical Record Show. A number of the items will be sold for $2-$3.
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the Holiday Inn North Shore, 500 W. Touhy Ave., Skokie. Admission is $2. Free parking. Visit midwestclassicalshow.com.
'Prehistoric Lake County'
Take a peek at creatures such as sea scorpions and corals that lived in Lake County 400 million years ago at the Prehistoric Lake County exhibition at the Lake County Discovery Museum. Learn about fossils that formed millions of years ago and touch the teeth and trunks of ice age beings.
11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 15, and Saturday May 16; 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 17; 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, May 18, through Thursday, May 21, at the Lake County Discovery Museum, 27277 N. Forest Preserve Drive, Wauconda. Admission is $2.50-$6. Children under age 3 are free. Tuesdays are "Discount Tuesdays," with adult admission $3, and youth 17 and under free. (847) 968-3400 or lakecountydiscoverymuseum.org.