Head to the river for Fox Valley festivals

@X BTO Byline attribution italic:sklovstad@dailyherald.com

If the thought of summer has you dreaming of corn on the cob, ribs and funnel cakes — or spreading your blanket on the grass to hear an outdoor concert — you’re in luck.

From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and even beyond, Kane and McHenry counties keep their calendars full of festivals.

Many are based on the area’s agricultural roots. Others center around music, food or ethnic traditions.

Regardless of your preference, you’re bound to find one that suits you. Here are a few of the most popular fests in the Fox Valley.

Pride of the Fox Riverfest

When: June 10-12

Where: Downtown St. Charles

Info: prideofthefox.com

It’s only fitting that a city like St. Charles would host one of the biggest festivals of the summer.

Pride of the Fox Riverfest, set for June 10-12, makes the most of its location on the Fox River, with dragon boat races, a water ski show and a sand sculpture contest.

For those who’d rather stay dry, the usual festival trappings of food, carnival rides, live music and entertainment beckon. Howard and the White Boys, 7th Heaven and Hi-Infidelity are a few of this year’s headliners.

Kids’ activities will include a Readers Theater tent, a petting zoo and the ever-popular Colonial Ice Cream eating contest.

Admission is free.

Midsommar Festival — Swedish Days

When: June 21-26

Where: Downtown Geneva

Info: genevachamber.com

You don’t have to be of Scandinavian descent to enjoy this six-day celebration, which takes place June 21-26 in downtown Geneva.

Sure, there will be ethnic traditions such as rosemaling (a style of painting) and Swedish pancakes, but the fun doesn’t stop there. This festival is especially enjoyable for kids, with a plethora of children’s activities, including games, a bike decorating contest and a Creation Station. Carnival rides, food booths, a craft fair, an expansive parade, and concerts round out the mix.

Sugar Grove Corn Boil

When: July 29-31

Where: Volunteer Park in Sugar Grove

Info: sugargrove60554.com

The Sugar Grove Corn Boil offers the perfect antidote to carb-counters, dieters and those who worry about the potential effects of consuming multiple ears of corn: a 5K run/walk.

The festival takes place over the weekend of July 29-31. In addition to corn — and lots of it — and the 5K, festgoers can fly through the air on carnival rides and take in some live music.

If you’re in a mood for sleuthing, you can search for the Corn Boil medallion. This year’s medallion hunt is in honor of the late Bob Carrol, who provided so many great clues over the past 10 years.

Cap off your day with a dazzling fireworks display, set for 9:30 p.m. July 30.

The complete schedule of events will be posted at sugargrove60554.com.

Founders’ Days

When: July 28-31

Where: In and around Towne Park, downtown Algonquin

Info: algonquinfoundersdays.com

Many people in Algonquin schedule their summer vacations around this popular festival, so it’s a good thing the dates are consistent: “always the last full weekend in July.”

This year, the 51st annual event is set for July 28-31.

The schedule of events is enough to make anybody’s head spin. There’s a dog and cat show, a Little Miss and Mr. pageant, a pancake breakfast, a parade, kids games, a carnival, a petting zoo, the Taste of Founders’, a beer garden, fish fry, musical entertainment, a bake-off and bingo.

Not enough for you? How about strapping on your shoes for the Founders’ Run, signing up for the bags tournament, or paddling a craft in the cardboard boat regatta?

One tip: Being in a boat on the river (not cardboard, though) is the best place for viewing the fireworks, which will be set off at 9 p.m. Sunday, July 31.

These events all take place in and around Towne Park in downtown Algonquin. Shuttle buses help keep things running smoothly. There is an admission fee. For details, visit algonquinfoundersdays.com.

Riverfest Express

When: Aug. 18-21

Where: County Park, South Elgin

Info: riverfestexpress.net or (847) 774-1151

Visitors to this year’s Riverfest Express in South Elgin, set for Aug. 18-21, can watch history come to life. A living Civil War re-enactment, complete with campsite and skirmish, will be set up near County Park.

This festival also offers a Special Night for Special Kids, featuring carnival rides, entertainment and food at no charge for attendees with disabilities and their families.

If you’ve ever wanted to check out a police cruiser, you’ll have your chance at the car show set for Aug. 21 at County Park.

For a complete list of entertainment and activities, visit riverfestexpress.net.