Cheap stuff: Mathis exhibition, Fly Fishing 101, Heritage Fair
Free Mother NaturePhotography by Chicago area nature photographer Ray Mathis is featured in an exhibit in the gallery of the Barrington Area Library. The public is invited to meet Mathis and see his works at an artist's reception at 7 p.m. Friday, July 9.The exhibit runs during regular library hours through Saturday, July 24, at the Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Hwy., Barrington. Free admission. (847) 382-1300 or barringtonarealibrary.com.Fly Fishing 101Orvis at Yorktown Center is hosting a free fly fishing class for all ages, focusing on fly-casting and rigging. Participants under age 18 must have a guardian with them. Volunteers from the Trout Unlimited conservation group will be on hand at classes. All participants will get a one-year free membership in Trout Unlimited. Space is limited, so call to confirm. Info: 9 and 11 a.m. Saturday, July 10, at Orvis at Yorktown Center, 306 Yorktown Center, The Shops on Butterfield, Lombard. Note: Class is also offered on Saturday, July 17, July 24 and July 31. Free. (630) 932-6573 or orvis.com.Go Dogs, Go!The Neighbors of South East Elgin and the Midwest Dachshund Rescue organization host their fundraising Unity Fest 2010. The event features "wiener dog" races for dachshunds, pony rides, children's games, raffles, bingo, pet rescue organizations, a food court and more.Info: Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 10, at Drake Field, Hastings Street, east of Route 25, Elgin. Free general admission, but Midwest Dachshund Rescue is accepting donations. Note: There is a $2 registration to enter a dachshund in a race. Proceeds go toward helping local animal rescue organizations. (847) 742-0980 or visit mwdr.org.Heritage FairStep back in time to the world of pie-baking contests and antique auctions at the Heritage Fair. Cake walks, magicians, music and sales of books and antique clothing are other highlights. The McCormick Freedom Museum's new Freedom Express Mobile Museum will be open for tours.Info: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 11, at the McHenry County Historical Society Museum, 6422 Main St., Union. Free admission. (815) 923-2267 or mchsonline.org.$10 and under Hello from ...The first Postcard and Paper Show will be part of the Grayslake Antique and Collectible Market on Saturday, July 10, and Sunday, July 11. See postcards, ephemera and advertising, with a special viewing of historical postcard archives.Info: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 10, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 11, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 Peterson Road, Grayslake. $6. Children under age 16 and parking are free. (715) 526-9769 or zurkopromotions.com.Civil War DaysSee historic battle re-enactments and view a soldier encampment at Civil War Days at the Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda. Costumed re-enactors portray famous Civil War figures. Info: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 10, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 11, at the Lakewood Forest Preserve, on Route 176, just west of Fairfield Road, Wauconda. Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for kids and seniors per day. Free parking. (847) 968-3400 or lcfpd.org.Hot, Hot HavanaThe Chicago chapter of the USA Dance group hosts its monthly dance party, Hot, Hot Havana, with mambo dance lessons and social dancing.Info: Doors open at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 10, at the Centre at North Park, 10040 Addison, Franklin Park. The mambo dance lesson runs 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. Social dancing runs from 8:15 to 11 p.m. Admission is $8 to $10; $6 for students with an ID. (847) 577-9014 or usadancechicago.org.Fairs and festivals10th Annual Art in the Park, Village Green Park, Shermer and Meadow roads, Northbrook: Juried fine arts and crafts festival features artists from around the country with original works in oil, watercolor, jewelry, ceramics, fiber, glass and more. Highlights include live music, food, children's activities and a silent auction. No dogs allowed. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 10, and Sunday, July 11. Free admission and parking. (847) 726-8669 or dwevents.org. Antioch Taste of Summer, on the Orchard Street Extension and Skidmore Drive, Antioch: Noon to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 15; noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 16 and 17; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 18. More than a dozen restaurants and vendors provide food. Entertainment at the band shell. Carnival and sidewalk sales all four days. Free admission. (847) 395-2233 or antiochchamber.org.Barrington Brew Fest, Cook and Station streets, Barrington: 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 10, at the Brat Tent. Beers from more than 20 regional brewers and microbrewers. Live music, soft drinks and food vendors. Proceeds benefit Barrington Village Association and Barrington Area Council on Aging programs. $30 in advance; $35 day of event. (847) 382-5626 or barringtoncrewfest.com. Barrington Cruise Night, Barrington Harris Bank parking lot, 201 S Grove Ave., Barrington: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 15. Classic cars, music, local food, ice cream, giveaways. Prizes awarded. Free admission. (847) 304-3479.Bristol Renaissance Faire, 12550 120th Ave., Kenosha, Wis.: Runs Saturdays and Sundays (and Labor Day) from Saturday, July 10, through Monday, Sept. 6. $9.50-$18.95. Children under age 5 are free. (847) 395-7773 or renfair.com. Civil War Days, Lakewood Forest Preserve, Rte. 176, just west of Fairfield Road, Wauconda: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 10; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 11. Civil-war era encampment, activities, re-enactors, a battle and more. Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for kids and seniors per day. A weekend pass is $12 for adults or $6 for kids and seniors. Free parking. (847) 968-3400 or lcfpd.org.Downtown Alive! Rock on the Fox, downtown Aurora, Illinois on Galena Boulevard, Aurora: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 9. Features performers DBL-SHOT and Creedence Again. Food vendors, children's area. Free. (630) 844-4731.Fiesta in the Park, Arlington Park, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights: Gates open at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, July 11. Activities run noon to 4 p.m. Largest Latino festival in the suburbs with food, music and the chance to meet Latino jockeys. $6 online or $8 at the gate. (847) 385-7500 or arlingtonpark.com.German Fest, Sacred Heart Church, 114 S. Elizabeth St., Lombard: 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 15; 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 16; 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 17, and 1 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, July 18. Features musical performers, dancing, German food, carnival, bingo, children's activities, a Baggo tournament, raffle for $5,000 and more. Free admission. (630) 627-0687 or sacredheartlombard.org.Glendale Heights Fest, Camera Park, Bloomingdale Road and Fullerton Avenue, Glendale Heights: 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 9; 3 p.m. to midnight Saturday, July 10; and 3 to 11 p.m. Sunday, July 11. Carnival, musical entertainment, food, fireworks on Sunday and more. Free. (630) 260-6000 or glendaleheights.org.Greek Fest, St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 525 Church Road, Elgin: Greek cuisine, music, dancing, games, indoor marketplace and a grand raffle. Runs 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 9; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 10, and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 11. Admission is $2; ages 12 and younger are free with paying adult. (847) 888-2822 or st-sophia.com.Heritage Fair, McHenry County Historical Society Museum, 6422 Main St., Union: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 11. Antique auction, music, food, plant sale, baked goods sale, magicians and more. New Freedom Express Mobile Museum will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. for tours. Free. (815) 923-2267 or mchsonline.org.Invitational Fine Craft Exhibition, Oakbrook Center, Route 83 and 22nd Street, Oak Brook: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 10, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 11. More than 100 crafters display their works in metal, ceramics, fiber, wood, glass, jewelry, leather and mixed media. Free admission. (630) 573-0700 or oakbrookcenter.com.Itasca Fest, Washington Park, Irving Park Road and Rush Street, Itasca: 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 9; 8 a.m. 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. Visit itasca.com.Jazz Fest Glen Ellyn, Main Street and Crescent Boulevard, Glen Ellyn: 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 10. Outdoor jazz concerts, food, beer and wine and more. Free admission. (630) 942-4000 or jazzfestglenellyn.org.Kane County Fair, Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles: Noon to 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 14, and Thursday, July 15; noon to midnight Friday, July 16, and Saturday, July 17; and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 18. $7; children under age 5 are free. Seniors free on July 15. Grandstand shows priced separately. Live music, carnival, farm animals, food and more. Visit kanecountyfair.com.Lake in the Hills Rockin' Rotary Ribfest, Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills: Runs 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. $5. Free for kids 12 and younger. Ribs, food, live entertainment and more. Proceeds benefit LITH Rotary charities. Visit lithribfest.com.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 10. Themed classic car night in downtown Mount Prospect. Visit downtownmountprospect.com. Naperville Woman's Club Art Fair, Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 10, and Sunday, July 11. Work from juried fine artists. Free admission. Visit napervillewomansclub.com or napersettlement.museum.Taste of Lincolnshire, Village Green, Olde Half Day Road and Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire: Event features fare from restaurants in the Lincolnshire area, live music, carnival games and prizes. 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 9; 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 10; 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 11. Admission is free. (847) 793-2409.Uncork Barrington, Barrington Train Station, 201 S. Spring St., Barrington: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 9. Taste more than 45 international wines, sample hors d' oeuvres and listen to live entertainment. $45 ticket in advance; $50 at the event. Visit uncorkbarrington.com.Unity Fest 2010, Drake Field, Hastings Street, east of Route 25, Elgin: Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 10. Wiener Dog Races, pony rides, games, raffles, bingo for adults, pet rescue organizations, food and more. Sponsored by the Midwest Dachshund Rescue. Free. $2 to enter dog in a race. (847) 742-0980 or visit mwdr.org.Vernon Hills Summer Celebration, Century Park, one-half mile north of Milwaukee Road on Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills: Thursday to Sunday, July 15-18. Carnival, children's activities, beer garden and live music. Free admission. (847) 367-3700 or visit vernonhills.org. West Chicago Railroad Days, Reed-Keppler Park, National and Arbor streets, West Chicago: Runs 4:30 to 11 p.m. 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, parade. Fireworks at dusk Saturday, July 10. Parade at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 11. Free. (630) 231-3003.Windmill City Festival, Batavia Riverwalk, Houston Street and Island Avenue, Batavia: Entertainment, rides, games, craft show, food, 5K run, dodgeball and basketball tournaments, big wheel race, bag tournament, ice-cream eating contest, fire hose challenge and more. 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 9; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 10; and noon to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 11. Free. (630) 879-5235 or bataviaparks.org.25th Annual Irish American Heritage Festival, Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave., Chicago: Festival showcases local and international Irish and American music, dance and family activities. Runs 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 9; noon to midnight Saturday, July 10, and noon to 11 p.m. Sunday, July 11. $7-$14. Children ages 12 and under are free. (773) 282-7035, Ext. 10, or irishfestchicago.com.False13352000Dachshunds will compete in "wiener dog races" at Unity Fest 2010 in Elgin on Saturday, July 10. False