Weekend guide to craft fairs

Check out some of the craft fairs and bazaars happening around the suburbs, featuring handmade items, vintage goods, artwork, and seasonal decorations.

Friday, Oct. 9

Autumn on the Fox Art and Craft Show: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9-10, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave., St. Charles. More than 150 crafters will be selling handmade items including jewelry, metal art, stained glass, photography, whimsical folk art, scarecrows, iron sculptures, painted pumpkins, carved gourds, floral and food products. Free. artoftheheartland.com/autumnonthefox.html.

Fall Gift Sale & Open House: 1-3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at Sheila Ray Adult Center, 225 E. Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove Village. Featuring handcrafted items. Free. elkgroveparks.org.

Saturday, Oct. 10

Fall Diddley: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock. The 41st annual juried craft show, which is returning to Woodstock this year, features artisans from all over the country. All of the net proceeds donated to 13 McHenry County mental health agencies. Vehicle entrance at the main parking lot; walkers can enter near the southwest corner of the fairgrounds. $10 for age 12 or older. mhrl.org/falldiddley.

Grayslake Antique Flea Market: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Antiques, estate jewelry, vintage clothing, comics, TV and movie memorabilia, collectibles, furniture, decor, decorative arts, lighting, country furniture, toys, advertising, coins and more. Early buyers on Saturday from 8-9 a.m. for $25. Admission is $9, good for both days; free for kids 12 and younger with an adult. Free parking. zurkopromotions.com.

Arts & Crafts Fair: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center, 225 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. Local crafters and business owners will be selling items for the home and the holidays. Free admission. (847) 850-2105 or bgparks.org/arts-crafts-fair.

Fall Fox Valley Antiques Show: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, online. The 52nd annual show features dealers from across the U.S. and Canada offering 17th-century to modernism, garden, holiday, textiles, jewelry, toys and more. Presented by the Chicago Suburban Antique Dealers Association. csada.com/special-events.

Pumpkin Fest: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Prince of Peace United Methodist Church, 1400 S. Arlington Heights Road, Elk Grove Village. Browse unique crafts, handmade items, and local goods, including crochet creations, hand-carved cutting boards, permanent jewelry, 3-D printed creations, unique gifts, homemade baked goods, fresh sourdough and scones, seasonal treats, and more. Shop the Pumpkin Patch, live music, food trucks. Well-behaved pets on leashes are welcome. Free. facebook.com/popumcelkgrove.

The Great Pumpkin Arts & Crafts Fair: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, at Unity Spiritual Center of Woodstock, 225 W. Calhoun St., Woodstock. Homemade crafts, bake sale and pumpkin auction. Admission: $3; free ages 12 and younger. unitywoodstock.org.

Friday, Oct. 16

Autumn Drive: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 16-18, at 18209 Collins Road, Woodstock. 38th annual event includes stops along the way featuring antiques, arts and crafts, hayrides, pumpkins, food and entertainment. Visiting crafters selling pottery, jewelry, lawn ornaments, and dozens of other crafts. Antique dealers selling refurbished furniture, trunks, cook books, tools, white elephants, and vintage jewelry. Free. autumndrive.net.

Saturday, Oct. 17

Artisan Collective Market: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 17, on North River Street in Batavia. The Artisan Collective hosts a pop-up market experience featuring local artisans offering handmade goods and vintage items such as jewelry, soap, candles, artwork, woodworks, macramé, vintage finds, and more. Free. downtownbatavia.com.

Gingerbread Bazaar: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Journey of Hope United Methodist Church, 37W040 Highland Ave., Elgin. Shop a variety of quality handcrafted items created by local artisans, browse an assortment of homemade baked goods, and enjoy lunch available for purchase. Guests receive a complimentary slice of gingerbread, while supplies last. Enjoy a Walking Taco lunch available for purchase. Proceeds will benefit the church ministries and missions. johumc.org.

United Women in Faith’s Gifts & Goodies Fair: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Cary United Methodist Church, 500 N. First St. in Cary. Handmade crafts or gifts including handmade cards, wood crafts, Arbonne, Tastefully Simple, Pampered Chef, LulaRoe, Sunset Scents and L'BRI. Enjoy a “Souperb Lunch” starting at 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. or the soup runs out. Free admission. caryumc.org.

Home for the Holidays Arts and Craft Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Bartlett High School, 701 Schick Road, Bartlett. 20th annual event features more than 100 crafters and vendors, with raffles. Plus, Food Truck Fest from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Benefits Bartlett High School’s Fine Arts Booster programs. Admission is free; donations welcome. bhsboosters.org/finearts.

Eco Friendly Craft Fair: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Bartlett Nature Center, 2054 W. Stearns Road, Bartlett. Part of Fall Fest. Discover earth-conscious creations brought to you by local vendors. From handmade goods to upcycled treasures, this is the perfect way to support small businesses and greener choices. bartlettparks.org/craft-vendor-shows.

Festival of Arts & Crafts: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18, outdoors at the Northwestern Medicine Field, 34W002 Cherry Lane, Geneva. Features 200 handcraft booths in a variety of media. Bands both days from 1 to 3 p.m. Admission: $5; children 11 and under free; free parking. Benefits Northwestern Medicine Living Well Cancer Resources. stepbysteppromotions.com.

Sunday, Oct. 18

Conant Boosters’ Craft Fair: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at Conant High School, 700 E. Cougar Trail, Hoffman Estates. 46th annual show features over 250 vendors featuring handmade crafts, one-of-a-kind gift items, and fall fun. conantboosters.com.

Chicago Artisan Market: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 18, Nov. 15 and Dec. 12, at Fulton Market at Morgan MFG, 401 Morgan St., Chicago. The Chicago Artisan Market showcases the Midwest's best in food, fashion, home goods and art. Admission is $8 in advance; free for under 12. chicagoartisanmarket.com.

Fourth annual Fall Market: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 18 and 25, at The Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee. Hosted by Huffman Vendor Fairs LLC. huffmanvendorfairs.com.