On the cheap: Soap box derby race
="breakhead">Free
Start your soapbox engines!
The Greater Chicago Soap Box Association invites youths ages 8 to 17 to take part in the free All-American Soap Box Derby Rookie Race. Kids can race down a hill in a club-provided soap box derby car. Spectators are welcome.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at Diehl and Frontenac roads, in Naperville. Preregistration required. Visit chicagosoapboxderby.org. Those wanting to register on Friday, April 15, should call race director Stan Ingelhart at (630) 841-8832.
Happy birthday to the bard
Help celebrate the 447th birthday of English poet and playwright William Shakespeare during Shakespeare's Birthday Festival at the College of Lake County. Local actor Nenad Jovanovic will portray Shakespeare and describe the Bard's life and times. The public is invited to join CLC students and professors to read, sing or act out works relating to Shakespeare. A pianist will perform Elizabethan tunes. Punch and birthday cake will be served.
12:30 to 4:40 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, in the College of Lake County's library atrium, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Free admission. (847) 543-2000.
Time for a haircut
Learn about both modern and old-fashioned methods for shearing sheep's wool at the annual Sheep Shearing weekend at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County's Kline Creek Farm. Watch as the farm's sheep lose their winter coats #8212; and learn what happens when the wool is scoured, carded and spun into yarn. Also, guests can watch as visiting demonstrator John Seraphine's border collies herd and move sheep from pasture to pasture.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 16, and Sunday, April 17, at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. Free admission. (630) 876-5900 or dupageforest.org.
Five thousand eggs
Capannari Ice Cream in Mount Prospect hosts its Ninth Annual Easter egg Hunt for youngsters ages 2 to 10. Bring your Easter baskets to hunt for the 5,000 candy-filled eggs that will be hidden in the park behind the shop. The Easter Bunny will be on hand to pose for photos #8212; so guests can bring a camera.
Noon Sunday, April 17, at Capannari Ice Cream at the Old General Store, 10 S. Pine St., Mount Prospect. Free. (847) 392-2277 or capannaris.com.
="breakhead">$10 and under
Second Time Around Rummage Sale
The First Congregational United Church of Christ in Des Plaines hosts a Second Time Around Rummage Sale. Shop for everything from antiques and clothing to toys, holiday items and electronics in a large outdoor tent. A bake sale is featured. Grilled food will be available for purchase. Baby-sitting services are offered.
6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 15, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 766 Graceland Ave., Des Plaines. There is a $7 admission fee on Friday, April 15; free admission on Saturday, April 16. (847) 299-5561.
Artistry in Wood
The North Suburban Carvers group presents its Artistry in Wood woodcarving and woodworking show, featuring a wide variety of items. Many of the carvers displaying their works are winners of both local and international art competitions. See everything from bird and character wood carvings to Native American works, including soap stone pipes and more. Artists will be on hand to discuss and demonstrate their work with guests.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 16, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 17, in the visitors center at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Free admission. Parking is $5 per car. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org.
Poetry night
The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian welcomes the public to its Native American Poetry Night. A trio of notable Native American poets with upper Midwest roots will read and discuss their works. Featured are: Kimberly Blaeser, a member of the Minnesota Chippewa tribe, who is a professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Mark LaRoque (Ojibwe), a Chicago-based writer who grew up on a Minnesota reservation; and Thirza Defoe (Ojibwe and Oneida), a writer, singer, instrumentalist and Native hoop dancer.
5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, 3001 Central St., Evanston. Admission is $5-$8. (847) 475-1030 or mitchellmuseum.org.