Cheap stuff: Taste of Lombard, turtle races, ice cream social

$10 and under Taste of LombardSample a wide variety of fare at the annual Taste of Lombard festival. Activities for guests of all ages include a carnival, entertainment and fireworks.5 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 2, and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 3-4, at Madison Meadow Park, Madison Street and Edgewood Avenue, Lombard. $2 for ages 13 and older. (630) 375-7474 or tasteoflombard.com or lombardparks.com.A rocking 'wedding'The '80s and '90s rock group Wedding Banned performs rock hits from the past few decades and a "wedding," too. Just so you're prepared: During the show, the band selects an unsuspecting "bride" and "groom" from the audience to take part in the performance.10 p.m. Friday, July 2, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $7. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.You bet!The Bartlett Aquatic Center hosts its annual July 4 Turtle Race to benefit the Bartlett Parks Foundation. Sponsor a plastic turtle for $10 and then watch as 1,000 turtles race for prizes. 4 p.m. Sunday, July 4, at the Bartlett Aquatic Center, 620 W. Stearns Road, Bartlett. (630) 540-4828 or bartlettparkdistrict.com.Free Patriotic ice cream socialThe Community Protestant Church, United Church of Christ in Mundelein hosts its annual Red, White and Blue Ice Cream Social on Monday, July 5. Guests can enjoy complimentary ice cream and cookies while they watch the Mundelein Days parade pass by at 2 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, July 5, at Community Protestant Church, United Church of Christ, 418 N. Prairie Ave., Mundelein. Free admission. (847) 566-4000.Itasca FestItasca celebrates this summer season with its annual Itasca Fest. A carnival, food, musical entertainment, bingo, children's activities, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and more are featured.6 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday, July 8; 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 9; noon to midnight Saturday, July 10; noon to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, July 11, at Washington Park, Irving Park Road and Rush Street, Itasca. Free general admission. Visit itasca.com.Musical Mount ProspectRolling Thunder and World Class Noise present an evening concert at Mount Prospect's Veterans Memorial Bandshell at Lions Park. In the event of inclement weather, the concert moves indoors to the Lions Center. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 8, at Veterans Memorial Bandshell at Lions Park, 411 S. Maple St., Mount Prospect. Free. (847) 255-5380 or mppd.org.Summer flowersThe Garfield Park Conservatory hosts its Summer Tropical Flower Show, offering visitors an up-close look at an assortment of tropical plants, including various begonias and hibiscus.9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays) at the Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago. Conservatory will be open on Sunday, July 4. Free admission. (312) 746-5100 or garfield-conservatory.org.Fairs and festivalsAntioch Fourth of July Celebration, Williams Park, Williams and Main streets, Antioch: Activities start at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 3, with round one of the Fire Cracker Sports Tournament. Round two begins at 8 a.m. Sunday, July 4. Daylong celebration July 4 in downtown Antioch includes a fun fair, entertainment, food, music and fireworks. Parade at 10:30 a.m. July 4 beginning at the corner of Holbeck and Orchard streets. At 8 a.m., the 5K Run for Freedom begins. Festival admission is free to the public. (847) 838-4032.Arlington Heights Frontier Days, Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights: 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 2; noon to midnight Saturday and Sunday, July 3-4; and noon to 10 p.m. Monday, July 5. Features the Taste of Arlington, carnival, games, live entertainment on three stages and Battle of the Bands. Shuttle service from downtown Arlington Heights. Crafts fair from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Parade at 10 a.m. Monday. Free admission. Visit frontierdays.org.Barrington 4th of July Festival, Barrington train station, 201 S. Spring St., Barrington: 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday, July 2, and 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, July 3. Live entertainment, games and food vendors. Admission is free until 6 p.m. Admission after 6 p.m. is $5 for adults; $1 for ages 14-17, and free for children younger than 13. Free parking. (847) 304-3400 or barrington4thofjuly.com.Barrington Cruise Night, Barrington Harris Bank Parking Lot, 201 S. Grove Ave., Barrington: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 8. Classic cars, music, local food, ice cream and giveaways. Free admission. (847) 304-3479.Bartlett Fourth of July Festival, at Stearns and South Bartlett roads, Bartlett: Noon to 11 p.m. Friday, July 2, and 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 3-4. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. Visit bartlettlions.org and bartlett4thofjuly.com.Bensenville Liberty Fest, Redmond Recreational Complex, 735 E. Jefferson, Bensenville: Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 3, from Fenton High School to Redmond Park. Food vendors, beer tent and bands starting at noon Saturday and Sunday, July 3-4. Concert by American English at 8 p.m. Sunday, with fireworks to follow. Free admission. (630) 594-1190 or bensenville.il.us.Cantigny Independence Day Celebration, Cantigny Park and First Division Museum, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 4. Games, inflatables, children's activities, historical exhibits, concert by the Southwest Community Concert Band at 3 p.m., food and more. Free admission and parking. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org.Cary Summer Celebration, Lions Park, 1200 Silver Lake Road, Cary: 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 3. Food, live music and fireworks at dusk. Rain date for fireworks is dusk Monday, July 5. Free. Parking $5 on the grass or $10 on the pavement. (847) 639-6100.Celebrate Fox Lake, Millennium Park, Grand and Rollins, Fox Lake: Saturday, July 3. Entertainment, games, rides and crafts. Parade lineup at 9 a.m. Parade begins at 10 a.m. at Grant High School and then heads west along Grand Avenue to Fox Lake Towne Center. Craft show after the parade until 4 p.m. at Millennium Park. Fireworks over the Chain O' Lakes at dusk. Free admission. (847) 587-2151 for parade information. Visit foxlake.org.Des Plaines Fourth of July festival, Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines: 4 p.m. Sunday, July 4. Picnicking, live entertainment, food, games and fireworks at dusk. Admission is free from 4 to 5 p.m. After 5 p.m., $5 per car. Visit desplaines.org.Glen Ellyn Cardboard Boat Regatta, Lake Ellyn, Linden Street and Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn: Noon Saturday, July 3. Free for spectators; advance registration required for entrants. Picnic in the Park is from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Glen Ellyn firefighters cook and sell burgers, hot dogs and sweet corn; proceeds help pay for the Glen Ellyn Fourth of July parade and fireworks. Visit gcbr.com/events/ge.html. Glendale Heights Fest, Camera Park, Bloomingdale Road and Fullerton Avenue, Glendale Heights: Wednesday through Sunday, July 7-11. Carnival, musical entertainment, food, fireworks on Wednesday and Sunday and more. Free. (630) 260-6000 or glendaleheights.org.Grayslake's Family Picnic and Fireworks, Central Park, on Lake Street between Washington and Center streets, Grayslake: 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 3. Food vendors, entertainment, live music, fireworks at dusk and more. Free. (847) 223-7529 or glpd.com.Great Lakes Fourth of July Celebration, Naval Station Great Lakes, 30 Paul Jones St., North Chicago: Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 3-4. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Free and open to the public; the public should enter through Gate 3. Includes arts and crafts fair from noon to 8 p.m. both days, Firecracker 5K Run at 10 a.m. Saturday and entertainment including a Laser Light Show on Saturday and Loverboy on Sunday. (847) 688-2110, ext. 484, or mwrgl.com.Hoffman Estates Fourth of July Festival, Hoffman Estates Village Hall, 1900 Hassell Road, Hoffman Estates: Runs through Monday, July 5, on Village Hall grounds. Free admission. Entertainment, carnival, parade, fireworks and food. Free parking at ADP building and Muir School. Fireworks at dusk Sunday, July 4. (847) 252-5446.Itasca Fest, Washington Park, Irving Park Road and Rush Street, Itasca: 6 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday, July 8; 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 9; noon to midnight Saturday, July 10; and noon to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, July 11. Carnival, food, musical entertainment, bingo, children's activities, 3-on-3 basketball tournament and more. Free admission. Visit itasca.com.Lake Forest Fourth of July Festival, Deerpath Community Park, 400 Hastings Road, Lake Forest: 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 4. The '80s tribute band Sixteen Candles performs at 6 p.m. and KC the Sunshine Band headlines at 8 p.m. The fest also features food vendors and kids' activities. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Festival admission is free for anyone 48 inches or shorter; $10 for anyone taller than that height. For those wanting to view the fireworks display only, gates open at 9 p.m. with free admission. (847) 234-6700.Lake Zurich Fourth of July Family Day, Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich: Starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 3. Live music, boat parade and Taste of Lake Zurich. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. $2 for residents and beach pass holders 18 and older, 17 and younger admitted free. $3 for nonresidents 4 and older, ages 3 and younger admitted free. (847) 540-5054.Lake in the Hills Rockin' Rotary Ribfest, Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills: 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday, July 8; 4:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 9; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 10; and 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 11. Ribs, food, live entertainment and more. Proceeds benefit LITH Rotary charities. $5; free for kids 12 and younger. Visit lithribfest.com.Lakeside Festival, Lakeside Legacy Arts Park, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake: 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 2; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 3-4; and noon to 10 p.m. Monday, July 5. Carnival, food vendors, music, beer and wine garden. Parade at 1 p.m. and fireworks at dusk Monday, July 5. $2-$4. Free for children ages 12 and younger and military personnel with ID. (815) 455-8000 or lakesidelegacy.org.Lisle's Eyes to the Skies Festival, Community Park, 1825 Short St., Lisle: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday, July 2-4. Hot air balloon rides, crafts, food, carnival and entertainment. Parade at 3:30 p.m. Sunday along Short Street. Fireworks at 9:45 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Daily admission is $5. Free for children younger than 5. Visit eyestotheskies.org.Mount Prospect Bluesmobile Cruise Night, Mount Prospect Metra Station, southwest corner of Northwest Highway and Route 83, Mount Prospect: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 3. Visit downtownmountprospect.com. Mount Prospect Lions' Village Fair, Melas Park, Busse and Central roads, Mount Prospect: Friday through Sunday, July 2-4. Carnival, live entertainment, games and Taste of Mount Prospect featuring the area's best restaurants. Visit experiencemountprospect.org.Mundelein Community Days, Seymour Avenue and Courtland Street, Mundelein: Friday to Monday, July 2-5. Most events take place at or near the fairgrounds. Carnival, Mundelein Munch, games, contests, musical performers and more. Most events are free. (847) 949-3200 or mundelein.org.Naperville Exchange Club Ribfest, Knoch Park, West Street and Martin Avenue, Naperville: Noon to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, July 2-4. Bands, carnival rides and ribs. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Sunday. $9 in advance and $12 at the gate; free for children 11 and younger. Visit ribfest.net.Oakbrook Terrace Fourth of July celebration, Terrace View Park, Route 83 and 22nd Street, Oakbrook Terrace: Sunday, July 4. Picnic, rides and special attractions from 4 to 7 p.m.; concert at 8 p.m.; and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Admission to concert and fireworks is free. Tickets must be purchased in advance for the picnic and are free for city residents, $10 for others. (630) 941-8300 or oakbrookterrace.net.Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest, Community Park, Palatine Road near Hicks Road, Palatine: Noon to midnight Friday through Sunday, July 2-4, and noon to 5 p.m. Monday, July 5. Arts and crafts fair, food vendors, carnival, live entertainment and corn hole tournament. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Visit palatinejaycees.org. Sleepy Hollow Fourth of July Celebration, Sabatino Park, Winmoor Drive and Willow Lane, Sleepy Hollow: Sunday, July 4. Sleepy Hollow Mile Fun Run/Walk at 8 a.m.; Bob Zdenek Memorial Fishing Derby from 9 to 11 a.m. at Lake Sharon; games, booths and pony rides and entertainment begin at 11:30 a.m.; Bill Ritchie Memorial Parade starts at noon in the pool's parking lot; main raffle drawing at 3 p.m.; and fireworks at 9 p.m. $5 donation to park for fireworks. Rain date is Monday, July 5. (847) 574-8116 or sleepy-hollow.il.us.Taste of Lombard, Madison Meadow Park, Madison Street and Edgewood Avenue, Lombard: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 2; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 3-4. Carnival, food, entertainment, fireworks and more. $2 for ages 13 and older. (630) 375-7474 or tasteoflombard.com or lombardparks.com.Taste of Oak Brook, Oak Brook Sports Core and Polo Club, 700 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook: 4 p.m. to dusk Saturday, July 3. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Free. (630) 368-5000.Warrenville Fourth of July celebration, Cerny Park, River Road and Forest View Drive, Warrenville: Saturday and Sunday, July 3-4. Firecracker 5K Run at 8 a.m. Saturday. Parade steps off at 4 p.m. Saturday in downtown Warrenville, followed by concessions and bands until 11:30 p.m. Children's parade at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Concessions, games and entertainment until 9:15 p.m. Sunday when fireworks begin. Free admission. (630) 393-9427.West Chicago Railroad Days, Reed-Keppler Park, National and Arbor streets, West Chicago: 4:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 8; 4:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 9; noon to midnight Saturday, July 10; and 2:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 11. Carnival, concerts, mud volleyball tournament, art show and parade. Fireworks at dusk Saturday, July 10. Parade at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 11. Free. (630) 231-3003.Taste of Chicago, Grant Park, Michigan Avenue and Congress Drive, Chicago: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, July 2; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 3; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 4. Food and musical entertainment. Free admission. There is a charge for food tickets. Visit tasteofchicago.us. (312) 744-3315.False13282000Dig in to complimentary ice cream and cookies at the Red, White and Blue Ice Cream Social at the Community Protestant Church, United Church of Christ in Mundelein. False