Cheap stuff: Frontier Days, June Band, Hometown Fest
Free
Ice cream social
Sample some complimentary ice cold ice cream, along with cookies and cold drinks, at Community Protestant Church, United Church of Christ's annual Red, White and Blue Ice Cream Social. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating on the church grounds, and watch as the Mundelein Independence Day parade passes by.
Facts: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 5, at Community Protestant Church, United Church of Christ, 418 N. Prairie Ave., Mundelein. Free admission. Note: Parade runs 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 5. (847) 566-4000. Visit mundelein.org for information on Mundelein Community Days and its parade.
Wild 'Frontier'
Arlington Heights hosts its annual Frontier Days celebration, with carnival rides, entertainment on three stages, food, family events and sports. Every member of the family can take part - including pets who can show off their style in the Pet Parade. Guests can also browse at an arts and crafts market or watch the Jessie White Tumblers leap through the air. Singing legend Eddie Money takes to the stage at 8 p.m. tonight, July 3, for an evening of classic rock and roll.
Facts: Noon to midnight Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4; noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 5, in Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights. Free general admission. (847) 577-8572 or frontierdays.org.
June Band in July
The Saturday June Band headlines with a free evening of pop/rock tunes with music from the 1960s to the present.
Facts: p.m. Thursday, July 9, in Lions Park, 1200 Silver Lake Road, Cary. Free admission. Visit carypark.com. (847) 639-6100.
$10 and under
Jaycees host Hometown Fest
The Palatine Jaycees' Hometown Fest continues through Sunday, July 5, and features carnival rides, concerts, food, family events and sports. An arts and crafts fair and business charity expo run Saturday and Sunday, July 4 and 5. Family Day is set for Sunday, July 5, with a bike parade, water balloon toss, tug-of-war games and a magic show.
Facts: Festival runs noon to midnight Friday, July 3; 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday, July 4; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 5, at Palatine Community Park, near Palatine Road and Hicks Road, Palatine. General admission is free. There is a charge for rides. (847) 604-0288.
Tribute to U2
Elevation presents a musical tribute to the band U2.
Facts: 10 p.m. Friday, July 3, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $6. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
Treasures at the flea market
You never know what you'll find at the Kane County Flea Market. Hundreds of dealers offer antiques and collectibles, both indoors and outdoors.
Facts: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 4; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 5, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. $5; free for ages 12 and younger. Free parking. (630) 377-2252 or kanecountyfleamarket.com.
They look soooo real!
Seventeen realistic, life-size sculptures made of polyester resin are featured in the "Ultra-Realistic Sculpture by Marc Sijan" exhibit at the Elmhurst Art Museum. Sijan works from six months to a year to create a figure - sculpting and painting and paying attention to fine details such as the pores of the skin. The exhibit closes on Sunday, July 19.
Fact: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays; 1 to 4 p.m. Fridays and Sundays. Closed on Mondays. The Elmhurst Art Museum is at 150 Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst. Admission is $2-$4. Free admission on Tuesdays. (630) 834-0202 or www.elmhurstartmusuem.org.