Gurnee Days celebration features rides, contests and more

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Gurnee Days

The annual Gurnee Days celebration features carnival rides, the Gurnee Idol contest, a bike rodeo, "Movie in the Park Friday," a golf tournament and plenty of ribs at the rib festival.

Runs Thursday, Aug. 13, through Sunday, Aug. 16, in Viking Park and around O'Plaine Road and Old Grand Avenue in Gurnee. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14; 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15; and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15. The Gurnee Days parade kicks off on Old Grand Avenue at noon Sunday, Aug. 16. Free general admission. (847) 249-9613 or gurnee.il.us/gurnee_days.

This morning/afternoon

There's some serious fun at this comic convention

Calling all comic book and video game lovers - the Wizard World Chicago Comic-Con 2009 & Video Game Expo is the place to meet famous creators, artists and writers from the comic book and video game industry. The convention also features celebrity appearances by stars of feature films.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $30 for a single day ticket. (847) 692-2222 or wizardworld.com.

Debbie at the Drury Lane

Hollywood and Broadway legend Debbie Reynolds takes to the stage at the Drury Lane Oak Brook

1:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, at the Drury Lane Oak Brook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. $38. A meal-and-show package is $52.75. (630) 530-8300 or Drurylaneoakbrook.com.

This week

Celebrating the Fab Four

Beatles fans and vendors from around the world come together for nonstop Beatles-related activities in 15 ballrooms at the Fest for Beatles Fans 2009. Convention highlights include a Beatles marketplace, auctions, puppet shows, a dance party, panel discussions and a Battle of the Beatles Bands.

5 p.m. to midnight Friday, Aug. 14; noon to midnight Saturday, Aug. 16, and Sunday Aug. 16, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont. Tickets are $32-$47 at the door. Call (847) 696-1234 or visit thefest.com.

Rags to riches

See "Cinderella," a revival of Marc Robin's contemporary musical adaptation of the famed fairy tale about a housemaid daughter who magically gets to go to the ball.

10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, through Friday, Aug. 14; 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. $12 (excluding tax and handling fees). (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com.

Old-time radio

IP Radio Theatre presents stage performances of classic radio comedies including "Fibber McGee and Molly," "Who's on First!" and "It Pays to Be Ignorant."

8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Improv Playhouse Studio Theater, 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. $5-$10. (847) 968-4529 or improvplayhouse.com.

From Tokyo to Highland Park

The Tokyo String Quartet presents an evening of classical music in Ravinia's Martin Theatre.

8 p.m. Thursday, Aug 13, in the Martin Theatre, Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $25-$40 theater seats. $10 lawn. Park opens at 5 p.m. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org.

The Wiggles rock the Rosemont

The popular children's performers The Wiggles come to town with their "The Wiggles! Go Bananas Live!" program, featuring pop/children's music.

1:30 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug 15, and Sunday, Aug. 16, at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets are $18-$38. (800) 745-3000.