What's your festival flavor?

With more festivals this weekend than strip malls in the suburbs, picking just one or two to hit can be a challenge. But rest easy, we're here to help you fulfill whatever your festival pleasure may be.

Quirky

Tired of 5K fun run/walks? Try something with a slower pace, like the turtle races at Bartlett's Festival at Apple Orchard Park on Saturday.

Royalty

Who doesn't love to spot royalty mingling with commoners? With three pageants, Mundelein Community Days may be your best bet to see a crown up close and personal.

Parade

If you dream of a world filled with marching band music and crowds crammed along sides of streets, then the Frontier Days Parade, on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Dunton and Oakton streets in Arlington Heights, is where you need to be. Just make sure you obey village laws against putting blankets out too early to mark your spot.

Fireworks

If you gotta have the shock and awe of fireworks, the biggest bang (or at least bucks spent) will be at Itasca's Fourth of July concert and fireworks at Hamilton Lakes at dusk tonight. Itasca's shelling out $70,000 for the 20-minute show. The show is free; parking is $15.

Early birds

If your goal is to be on the festival circuit by 7 a.m., then head to Mount Prospect for the Lions Club Village Fair pancake breakfast ($5 for adults) Saturday, which really does start at 7 a.m. in Melas Park at Busse and Central roads.

Patriot fashion

Don't want to feel out of place wearing your favorite red, white and blue sequined outfit? Head out to Crystal Lake for red, white and blue day Saturday at Lakeside Festival, 401 Country Club Road (and stay for Eve 6 and Bottle of Justus).

Undecided?

Whatever type of festival you're looking for this weekend, there's bound to be a suburb that's got it. Turn to today's Time out! for a complete listing of festivals, fireworks, events, days and times.