Weekend picks: Meet 'Hunger Games' stars at Fiction2Film

'Hunger' how-do

Die-hard fans of “The Hunger Games” won't want to miss stars from the film like Jacqueline Emerson, Amandla Stenberg and more at the Fiction2Film convention this weekend at the Westin O'Hare Hotel, 6100 River Road, Rosemont. $15 daily general admission to $249 Gold weekend admission package. (847) 698-6000 or creationent.com. 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 23, and 10:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 24

Long Grove Strawberry Fest

The annual Long Grove Strawberry Fest, at the crossroads of Old McHenry and Robert Parker Coffin roads in downtown Long Grove, showcases strawberry-devoted treats, entertainment and more. Other highlights include activities and rides for children. $5 admission for adults. Free parking. (847) 634-0888 or visitlonggrove.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, June 22; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 23; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 24

Go Swedish for a day or two

This 63rd annual Swedish Days festival in downtown Geneva features a parade, carnival rides, live music, a craft show, Swedish rosemaling, children's games and more. General admission is free. There is a fee for carnival rides and food. Visit genevachamber.com. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, June 22; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 23; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 24

Chicago Gospel Music Festival

Get your fill of gospel music at the Chicago Gospel Music Festival, which takes place at various venues like Millennium Park, the Chicago Cultural Center and Mandrake Park in downtown Chicago. Performers include Fred Hammond, Mary Mary, Blind Boys of Alabama and more. Free admission. For a schedule of events, visit chicagogospelmusicfestival.us. Various times from Friday through Sunday, June 22-24

Loretta Lynn at Drury Lane

Country music star Loretta Lynn graces the Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace stage, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, for three performances this weekend. Tickets cost $65. Meal packages are available. (630) 530-0111 or Drurylaneoakbrook.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 22-23, and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 24

Nu-metal heroes

Saliva, a Tennessee band that emerged as part of the “nu-metal” explosion of the late 1990s, will make a stop at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. Like most of their peers in the genre, Saliva combined the heavy crunch of traditional metal with pop songcraft and the rhythmic sensibility of hip-hop. The band's most recent album, “Under Your Skin,” came out in 2011. $7. Go to durtynellies.com. 9 p.m. Friday, June 22

Festival of Fine Craft

See the artwork of 130 juried artists at The Art Center's Festival of Fine Craft at The Art Center, 1957 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. The festival also features entertainment, food and activities. $5 admission donation requested. Free parking. (847) 926-4300 or festivaloffinecraft.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 23-24

Little Boots Rodeo and Craft and Vendor Show

The annual Little Boots Rodeo and Craft and Vendor Show takes place at the intersection of Arlington Heights Road and Devon Avenue, Elk Grove Village. Rodeo events for youngsters include panning for gold, cow milking, bronco riding and more. Family events include wagon rides, a petting zoo and the Little Boots Railroad. Free general admission. $10 fee per child for 12 rodeo events (includes a hot dog and drink). Some family events also require a fee. (630) 766-8980 or littlebootsrodeo.org. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 23-24

Scandinavian Midsommar Celebration

Take part in the seventh annual Scandinavian Midsommar Celebration Saturday at Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin. Don't miss the children's parade in folk costume, traditional Maypole Raising and dancing for all around the Maypole at 2 p.m., followed by children's performances from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m. Other activities include horse-drawn wagon rides, storytelling and a prize hunt for the children, plus luminaria lit along the river at 8 p.m. as well as a bonfire lighting, traditional toast and Viking campout, including Scandinavian Campfire Music Jam & Movie. $5; free for children 12 and younger. (847) 695-6720 or vasaparkil.com. 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 23

Niche gin tasting

Discuss the history and production of some special gins during a tasting accompanied by lots of olives and vermouth. Presented by Vince Balistreri, the event costs $30 per person. Niche is located at 14 S. 3rd St., Geneva. (630) 262-1000 or nichegeneva.com. 3:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 23

Live Wobegone

Longtime listeners ofPublic Radio International's “A Prairie Home Companion With Garrison Keillor” can see a special live performance and broadcast Saturday at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $10 lawn tickets, $35-$65 reserved tickets. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 4:45 p.m. Saturday, June 23

Naper Nights

Local and headlining bands, including American English and The Smithereens, perform at this year's Naper Nights at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Bring a blanket and chairs for outdoor seating. $5-$15. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.museum. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 22-23

Suburban Pride

GayCo, Chicago's longest-running LGBT sketch comedy troupe, journeys to the suburbs to share its latest Gay Pride-inspired show “Swallow Your Pride” in a special Saturday performance at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $20. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, June 23

Breakfast Club

The 1980s tribute band Breakfast Club rocks the Cubby Bear North, at 21661 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire, with an evening of rock selections. $6. (847) 541-4700 or cubbynorth.com. 10 p.m. Saturday, June 23

Recycle-o-rama

Learn about composting, water conservation, rain gardens, prairie restoration and recycling in general at the Green Fair Sunday at Mike Rylko Community Park, 1000 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove. Free admission. bgeat.org. 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, June 24

Day at Petersen Farm

Learn about the life of farm families and explore a working farm, established in 1830, at the Day at Petersen Farm, at Petersen Farm, 4112 McCullom Lake Road, McHenry. The family event features music, farm animals, children's games, crafts, hay rides, activities, farm antiques and collectibles. See historic photographs and demonstrations of basket weaving, woodworking, canning, quilting and more. Free admission and parking. (815) 385-0191. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 24

Go dogs, go!

All varieties of “wiener dogs,” including dachshunds, basset hounds, corgis and “wiener shape” mixes, are invited to race at the Fifth Annual Dachshund Derby at Petland, 815 E. Rollins Road, Round Lake Beach. All breeds of dogs are invited to take part in a costume contest. Other highlights include carnival games, family-friendly games, raffles, pet vendors, pet demonstrations and more. Free general admission. There is a fee for some activities. To enter a dog in the race, the charge is $10 (includes the costume contest). Each additional dog in a family is $5. Proceeds will benefit the Avon Township Food Pantry. For information or to preregister, email dachshundderby2012@gmail.com. Call (847) 223-7900 or visit petlandroundlakebeach.com. Registration is at 10:30 a.m. and racing begins at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, June 24. Events continue throughout the afternoon.

'Biggest, Best Birthday Bash'

The DuPage Children's Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville, invites the public to help celebrate its 25th anniversary at the “Biggest, Best Birthday Bash” on Sunday, June 24. Special admission for the event is $2.50 for members and $5 for nonmembers and includes access to all of the museum's current exhibits, along with additional family activities. Dave Rudolf provides live musical entertainment at 1:30 p.m. Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel leads guests in singing “Happy Birthday” to the museum at 2 p.m. Outdoor events (weather permitting) include Touch a Truck, train rides and the Storybus. (630) 637-8000 or dupagechildrensmuseum.org. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 24

Garden tour

Explore eight different gardens in bloom at the annual Palatine Historical Society Garden Tour on Sunday, June 24. Tickets and maps are available at the Clayson House Museum, 224 E. Palatine Road, Palatine, and at the Palatine Community Center, 250 E. Wood St., Palatine. The tour begins at Towne Square, at Smith and Palatine roads. Cost is $10 per person before Sunday, June 24 (tickets are $15 on day of event). (847) 991-6460. Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 24

Sweet Home Spectacular

Celebrate summer and the “Sweet Home Chicago” exhibit at the Elmhurst Historical Museum with the museum's free Sweet Home Spectacular family event. Activities include a performance by award-winning musician Jim Gill, chocolate treats and ice cream sundaes, games and more. Guests can also take a tour of the “Sweet Home Chicago” exhibit that runs through Sept. 30 at the museum, 120 E. Park Ave, Elmhurst. The exhibit looks at Chicago's candy-making history. Free. (630) 833-1457 or elmhurst.org/elmhurst/museum. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 24

'Fabulous Frank'

Vocalist Peter Oprisko presents a musical tribute to the music of legendary crooner Frank Sinatra with the “Fabulous Frank” concert at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $25. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 2 p.m. Sunday, June 24

Birthday bash

The Lake Villa District Library hosts its 60th Anniversary Party, featuring 1950s fun. Hula hoops, Silly Putty and other fads from the past are featured, along with treats. Birthday cakes, decorated by local teens, will be judged. Guests are asked to bring their memories of the library to share. The Lake Villa District Library is at 1001 E. Grand Ave., Lake Villa. Free and open to the public. (847) 356-7711 or lvdl.org. 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 24

The Neverly Brothers

The Neverly Brothers perform an outdoor pop/rock concert at Geneva Commons at Randall and Bricher roads in Geneva. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Free. (630) 262-0044 or shopgenevacommons.com. 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 24

Steve Martin goes banjo

Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers are touring in support of their recent album, “Rare Bird Alert,” which earned them a Grammy Award nomination. It's Martin's second banjo CD. See his music-and-comedy show live at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. Tickets cost $80; lawn seats $27-$32. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, June 24