Festivals Sept. 13-19: Heritage Fest, Elgin Fringe Fest, Oktoberfests, Fright Fest & more

This weekend

Classic Car Show: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Baltria Vintage Auto Gallery, 4200 E. Main St., St. Charles. Classic and vintage cars and trucks, hot rods, street rods, late model, customs, motorcycles and more. Also features local business booths, family activities, food and more. Free. stcharleschamber.co.nf.

Glendale Heights Oktoberfest: 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, Sept. 13; noon to midnight Saturday, Sept. 14; noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15; and 5 to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, Sept. 16-19; and continues through Sunday, Sept. 22, at Camera Park, 101 E. Fullerton Ave., Glendale Heights. Expect German food prepared by Chef Wolfgang of Schnitzel Platz and German beer imported from the Hofbräu Brewery in Munich. Entertainment includes "Oompah" music, a pumpkin patch, a plant sale and vendors with German products. Free; $5 for adults after 4 p.m. and free for kids 16 or younger. www.glendaleheightsoktoberfest.com.


Des Plaines Fall Fest 2019: 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Lake Park, 2200 Lee St., Des Plaines. Music from The Boy Band Night at 9 p.m. Friday, Modern Day Romeos at 6:30 p.m. and ARRA at 9 p.m. Saturday and 7th heaven at 2:15 p.m. and Red Wanting Blue at 5:15 p.m. Sunday and more. Carnival rides, midway with games, food, KidZone with climbing wall, crafts and activities. Car show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. www.fallfestdesplaines.com.

Heritage Fest: 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, in downtown West Dundee. Fireworks at 8 p.m. Friday over the Fox River. Lions Heritage Fest 5K at 8 a.m. Saturday. Music from Bella Cain at 9 p.m. Friday, Hi Infidelity at 9 p.m. Saturday, and The Lennys at 3 p.m. Sunday and more. Arts and crafts fair, Baggo tournament on Saturday, food, entertainment, business and nonprofit expo, kids' activities, pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. Sunday and more. Car show from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on South Second Street. Park at Spring Hill Mall and ride the free shuttle to the fest on Saturday and Sunday. Free. www.wdundeeheritagefest.org.

Wine Fest on the Beach: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Shore Club, 1603 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Guests can sample a variety of wine while watching the sunset. Also features giveaways and more. $20-$25. eventbrite.com/.

Friday's Rock & Roll in Meadows: 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Kimball Hill Park, behind the Jewel Shopping Center, Rolling Meadows. Billy Elton will perform. Food trucks will be on site. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic. Free. cityrm.org.

ArtsFest-St. Charles: Friday through Sunday, Sept. 13-15, in venues around St. Charles. The ninth annual event, hosted by the St. Charles Arts Council and St. Charles Park District, features multiple artistic disciplines in venues all over the city including art, film, music, poetry and live theater. Schedule varies. Some fees apply. www.stcharlesartscouncil.org/artsfest-2019/ or www.facebook.com/stcharlesartscouncil/.

Elgin Fringe Festival: Friday through Sunday, Sept. 13-15, at various venues in downtown Elgin. Festival celebrates the performing arts and features music, film, visual art and more. Daily schedule varies. For ticket information, visit www.elginfringefestival.com.

St. Charles Jazz Weekend: Friday through Sunday, Sept. 13-15, at various venues in downtown St. Charles. The eighth annual event features performances at venues for brunch, dinner and late-night entertainment. The venues will host performances from jazz soloists, quintets and more. Admission varies by venue. For a schedule, visit www.stcjazzweekend.com.

Wheaton French Market: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, in municipal parking lot 3 at Main and Liberty, Wheaton. Family-friendly event features fresh produce, meats and flowers, live music, foodie treats and gifts, crafts and freshly prepared delicacies from local vendors. Free admission. www.wheatonchamber.com/events.

Happy Trails Fishing Derby: 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Jaycee Park, Silver Lake Road, Cary. New anglers will get a quick fishing lesson and learn about fishing etiquette in the shelter. Catch and release only. Fishing poles, tackle and bait will be provided or bring your own. Anyone older than 16 must have a current Illinois fishing license. Raffles and goody bags. Preregistration is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Free to register. www.carypark.com.

Relay For Life of Northern Lake County: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Round Lake Area Park District Sports Center, 2004 Municipal Way, Round Lake Beach. Community festival where teams can celebrate, remember and fight back against cancer. Free. www.lakecountychamber.com.

15th Annual Lakeview East Festival of the Arts: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce, 3138 N. Broadway, Chicago. Features the works of more than 150 juried artists, live music on multiple stages, kids' activities, wine, beer and food booths, an interactive garden oasis and more. Admission is a $5 donation at the gate. www.lakeviewfestivalofthearts.com.

Crystal Lake Wind and Wheels: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Lippold Park soccer fields, 851 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake. Formerly known as the Kite Fest, now with big trucks. Chicago Kite, a professional kite company, will be on hand to fly enormous kites. Free paper kites to make yourself or purchase one at the event. New this year: contests for highest kite, most colorful kite, etc. Kona Ice will be selling snow cones. Free. www.crystallakeparks.org.

Museum Showcase Weekend: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14-15, at Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, Union. Celebrate the museum's collection and honor the members who make it work. Ride and see some of the less frequently run equipment at the museum. On Saturday only, the museum will remain open until 9:30 p.m. and visitors can ride trains after dark including the steam coach train, the Nebraska Zephyr and several electric trains. Train service will be suspended between 5:30 and 7 p.m. Last admission at 4 p.m. $15; $13 for seniors; $11 for kids. www.irm.org.

Sonny Acres Farm's Fall Festival: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday, from Saturday, Sept. 14, through Sunday, Nov. 3, at Sonny Acres Farm, 29W310 North Ave., West Chicago. Fest features a haunted house, haunted hayrides, a farmers market, carnival-style rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, food and more. Free admission; some activities require fees. (630) 231-3859 or www.sonnyacres.com.

Stade's Fall Festival: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in September and Fridays through Sundays in October, as well as Monday, Oct. 14, at Stade's Farm & Market, 3709 W. Miller Road, McHenry. Farm animals, pumpkins, food, pumpkin-barrel train and other family activities. $10-$15; free for kids 2 and younger. www.stadesfarmandmarket.com.

Teenie Weenie Pumpkins and Munchkins: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Carol Stream Park District's Coyote Crossing Mini Golf, 27W650 North Ave., West Chicago. Treats, games, crafts and a hayride. $8-$12 per child; free for adults. Registration is required. www.csparks.org.

Caboose Days: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at the Fox River Trolley Museum, 361 S. La Fox St., South Elgin. Ride with the conductor in the big red caboose or with the engineer in the locomotive. Fares are $5 for adults; $3 for seniors 65 and older; $2 for kids 3-11; and free for kids younger than 3. All-day passes cost $8. (847) 697-4676 or foxtrolley.org.

Viva Mexico Independence Day Festival: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14-15, on Main Street in downtown West Chicago. A celebration of Mexican culture for the community featuring a parade, music, food vendors and more. Free. www.mccdupage.org.

Volo Kite Fest: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Burnell C. Russell Municipal Complex, 500 S. Fish Lake Road, Volo. Volo's first kite festival. Representatives from the Chicago Kite group will perform stunt flying and will have kites available for purchase. Guests can fly a kite with many others at the same time. Free admission. www.littlelakecounty.com.

Worldwide Day of Play: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Century Park Pavilion, 1400 Indianwood Drive, Vernon Hills. Vernon Hills Park District staff will lead old-school picnic games, including sack races, Hula-Hoop contests, an egg toss and more. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be canceled. Free. www.vhparkdistrict.org.

Cary Main Street Fest: Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, along West Main Street in downtown Cary. Sixth annual festival features music from 7th heaven at 8 p.m. Saturday and Modern Day Romeos at 3 p.m. and Heartache Tonight at 6 p.m. Sunday, bags tournament, vendors, food, family entertainment and more. Free, but optional $5 donation at the gate. www.carygrovechamber.com or carymainstreetfest.com/.

Chicago Bourbon & Barbecue Festival: Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14-15, in Roscoe Village, at Damen and Roscoe streets, Chicago. Features smoked meats and barrel-aged bourbon whiskeys, bourbon tastings, chicken, ribs, kids' activities, music and more. $16-$35. www.eventbrite.com.

Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Elmhurst History Museum grounds, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst. More than 50 craft and microbreweries, plus ciders, snacks and music. Presented by the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation to benefit the Museum and the Churchville Schoolhouse. Barbeque Jim's Catering will offer pit-roasted barbecue, sides and more. For ages 21 and older only. General admission is $50. Early entry from noon to 1 p.m. is $65. Designated driver: $20. www.elmhurstcraftbeerfest.com.

Fiestas Patrias Festival and Parade: 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, and 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, on Lincoln Avenue and Spring Street, Aurora. Kick off National Hispanic Heritage Month in Aurora with a two-day festival and parade. Parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. Sunday from Benton and Broadway. www.fiestaspatriasaurora.com or www.aurora-il.org.

Batavia Road Rally: 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Eastside Community Center, 14 N. Van Buren, Batavia. New competitive and educational event in honor of the Batavia Park District's 50th anniversary. Compete against other teams through a series of clues and activities. Earn points along the route as you test your knowledge of Batavia history and your navigation skills. $10 per team. Register by Thursday, Sept. 12, at bataviaparks.org.

Bluesmobile Cruise Nights: 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Mount Prospect Train Depot, east commuter parking lot, at the corner of Northwest Highway and Emerson Street, Mount Prospect. View classic cars. Sponsored by the Mount Prospect Lions Club. facebook.com/BMBCruiseNights.

Playground Dedication: 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Eastside Community Center, 14 N. Van Buren, Batavia. Ribbon-cutting ceremony, family-friendly games, giveaways and refreshments. Free. bataviaparks.org.

Saturday Cruise Nights: 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Hanover Park Metra West Commuter Lot. See classic, muscle and newer model cars every Saturday night. With live music. Free. hpil.org.

Dessert Fest at the Zoo: 6:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago. Sample desserts from Chicago-area restaurants while viewing the zoo's animals and gardens. Plus, there will be champagne, beer and wine (for those 21 and older). Tickets required for all guests 2 and older. $20-$45. www.eventbrite.com.

Hofbräuhaus Chicago's Seventh Annual Oktoberfest Celebration: Hours vary from Saturday, Sept. 14, through Monday, Oct. 28, at Hofbrauhaus Chicago, 5500 Park Place, Rosemont. Nightly live entertainment, freshly brewed beer, food specials and more. On Friday and Saturday nights during Oktoberfest, patrons will have the chance to participate in the famous "Maskrugstemmen" stein-holding contest. Free admission. www.hbchicago.com.

Six Flags Great America Fright Fest: Sept. 14-15, 21-22, 27-29; Oct. 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27 and 31; and Nov. 1-3 at Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee. Daytime hours are family-friendly with trick-or-treat and Halloween crafts. Evening hours, starting at 7 p.m., include haunted mazes, roaming zombies, scary clowns and spooky shows. $59.99-$89.99. For hours and admission deals, see www.sixflags.com.

Mount Prospect Lions Club Farmers Market: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at the Mount Prospect Train Depot, Northwest Highway and Emerson Street, Mount Prospect. Features fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers and more. Free. mplions.org.

Cantigny Car Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Nearly 100 awards in a range of categories will be presented to owners of 400-plus vintage vehicles on display. Entertainment by Sammy & The Knights, DJ music by Carousel Sound, plus food vendors. Free with paid $10 parking fee. www.cantigny.org.

Geneva French Market: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, in downtown Geneva. Vendors at this open air market will sell vegetables, fruits, flowers, oils, cheeses, tea, baked goods, pasta, homemade soaps, apparel and art. Bensidoun USA operates the market. www.geneva.il.us/calendar.aspx.

Jewelry & Accessories Show: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Features an array of handcrafted items from local artists. Free with paid $10 parking. www.cantigny.org.

Show & Shine Car Show & Swap Meet: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Camera Park, 101 E. Fullerton Ave., Glendale Heights, Features 19 vehicle classes, food, music, games and crafts. Free admission for spectators. glendaleheights.org.

Art in Nature: Color the Preserves: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington. Visitors are invited to celebrate the beauty of the preserves and create art using multiple media. Paint, sculpt, weave and observe artists at work. Dance and music performances all day. Artwork for purchase. Free admission. www.fpdcc.com.

Chicago Blackhawks 2019 Training Camp Festival: 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. Gates open at 9 a.m. General admission is $5. www.ticketmaster.com.

ShermerFest: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Village Green Park, Shermer and Meadows roads, Northbrook. Collectible and antique car show, children's activities, food and family activities. Free. www.northbrooknine.com.

Celebrate Naperville: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Celebrate the many facets of Indian-American heritage through art, music, dance and food. Held in conjunction with the exhibit "Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation." Admission is $12; $10 for ages 62 or older; and $8 for kids 4-12. napersettlement.org/.

Fallapalooza: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Heritage Park Performance Pavilion, 201 Community Blvd., Wheeling. Music by Mike Zabrin's Funktastic along with a petting zoo, pony rides, inflatables, hayrides, food and more. Free. www.wheelingparkdistrict.com.

Garfield Farm Museum drop-in tours: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday and Wednesday, Sept. 15 and 18, at Garfield Farm Museum, 3N016 Garfield Road, Campton Hills. Tour the historic farmstead, including the barnyard and 1846 brick tavern. $3-$4. garfieldfarm.org.

Concert in the Park: 3 to 4:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at the Batavia Riverwalk in downtown Batavia. The Batavia Community Band will perform marches, classics, Broadway show tunes, movie medleys and patriotic songs. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the city council chambers, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia. Free. bataviaparks.org.

Glow in the Park Lantern Walk: 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn. Family activities, music, food and more until dusk. Then, join the illuminated lantern parade around Lake Ellyn. Purchase a lantern kit from the park district ($10) or bring your own lantern. Free admission; cash donations to Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago are encouraged. gepark.org/events/glow-in-the-park/.

This week

Broken Oar's Car and Bike Show: 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at Broken Oar, 614 Rawson Bridge Road, Port Barrington. Bring your custom and classic cars, trucks and bikes; all makes and models. Hosted by Steve Salzman of 95.1 WILL Rock. Free gifts for entries. Free. www.brokenoar.com/events.

Wauconda Cruise Night: 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 101 N. Main St., Wauconda. See a wide variety of vehicles on display. Free. www.waucondacruisenights.com.

Daily Herald Cruise Night: 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, at Stratford Square Mall, 152 Stratford Drive, Bloomingdale. Features cars, trucks, motorcycles, food trucks, free giveaways and music. Free. www.facebook.com/DailyHeraldCruiseNights/.

MainStreet Libertyville's Car Fun on 21: 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, at Milwaukee Avenue and Church Street, Libertyville. Vintage cars will be displayed on Church and Cook streets. Event also features food and music. If you want to display a car, use the Brainerd entrances on Cook and Church streets. Free admission. www.mainstreetlibertyville.org.