Family activities at Algonquin Commons
If you're looking for fun, free things to do with your family this summer, Algonquin Commons has some ideas.
Every Sunday night through Aug. 9, the outdoor mall along Randall Road will be hosting Sunday Night LIVE! - a free summer concert series, full of music and activities.
The concerts begin at 5 p.m. in the commons' center courtyard, which is next to Cheeseburger in Paradise.
In addition to music, on Sundays there will be sidewalk sales during the day from noon to 4 p.m.
From 4 to 7 p.m. each Sunday, there will be children's activities and restaurant booths featuring demonstrations and samples.
There also will be coupon giveaways and contests at each event.
Each Sunday, you can register to win a $250 Algonquin Commons gift card.
During the last concert of the year on Aug. 9, there will also be two grand-prize drawings. At that contest you could win either a $1,000 Algonquin Commons shopping spree or a two-night stay at The Abbey Resort and Spa in Lake Geneva.
The concerts also will run until 7 p.m. on Sundays.
The show began last week with the Blooze Brothers, and continues this week with Pirates Over 40, which will play tropical reggae, classic rock and Jimmy Buffett covers.
On July 26, Lucky Town will entertain with contemporary country music.
The Moods, a group playing Motown, Top 40, blues, pop, rock and roll and Jazz, will perform Aug. 2.
To close out the concert series, the band ARRA will play classic rock hits.
The folks at Algonquin Commons are hoping that you will come out to one or all of the shows for fun with your family and friends.
"We want to make Algonquin Commons everyone's Sunday destination," said Beth Hicks, marketing director of Inland Commercial Property Management, management company of Algonquin Commons.
"The daytime activities are a great way to enjoy a summer Sunday with kids, and our free Sunday Night LIVE! concert series is the prefect place to gather with family and friends to enjoy an evening out."
Beer tasting: For a change of pace, Gibby's Wine Den in Geneva will host a beer tasting this month.
From 5 to 8 p.m. July 24, you can come out to taste and learn about craft beers from Two Brothers Brewing Company. Two Brothers is a family-owned company located in the suburbs.
The event is free and open to the public.
For information call (630) 208-6424.
Bradys revisited: If you're a huge fan of "The Brady Bunch" like I am, you no doubt remember the episode where the whole crew jets off to Hawaii.
While there, Bobby Brady finds an ancient Tiki figurine that brings back luck to everyone who touches it.
Apparently the folks at Barley House along Randall Road in Algonquin have always wanted one of those Tiki necklaces.
So if you find one and bring it in for them this month, they'll buy you an entree.
In May, their quest for a package of bacon Band-Aids was answered, and the item is now on display in the front of the restaurant.
Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from Batavia to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036.