Get the blues in Long Grove, or red-hot Hot Wheels in Carol Stream

Cheap events? Contact Laura Stewart at lstewart@dailyherald.com

Free

'The Tomato Lady' talks

Aggie Nehmzow, a tomato expert known as "The Tomato Lady," discusses the various shapes, colors and flavors of heirloom tomatoes, and provides tips for guests on growing their own tomatoes in large or small gardens. Nehmzow grows 75 varieties of heirloom tomatoes in her own backyard.

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, at the Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect. Free. Registration is required. (847) 253-5675 or mppl.org/events.

Long Grove's 'Blues Fest'

Live blues music will resonate for 13 hours at 10 indoor venues throughout historic downtown Long Grove during the village's "Blues Fest." Performers include The Wind Gypsys, Back Porch Moon and the Eddie Taylor Jr. Blues Band.

11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, March 28, at various venues in downtown Long Grove, off route 83, near Lake Cook Road, Long Grove. Free admission. (847) 634-0888. Visit longgroveonline.com for full schedule.

Books galore!

The Friends of the Des Plaines Public Library group hosts its annual spring book sale with thousands of gently used hardcover and paperback books, audiocassettes and DVDs for children and adults. Browse through categories that include childhood classics, self-help, romance and cooking - most for 25 cents to $1.

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 27 (for Friends of the Library Members only. Join that night for $5.); 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 28, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 29 at the Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St., Des Plaines. Free admission. (847) 376-2922 or dppl.org.

$10 and under

A day at the fair

Collectors and dealers can meet to buy, sell and trade items relating to World's Fairs from 1876 to the present during the 15th Annual World's Fair Memorabilia Show. The show's main focus is the 1933/1934 Chicago "Century of Progress" World's Fair with a special display on the Sky Ride attraction. See a large wind-up Sky Ride replica and an actual chair from a Sky Ride rocket car. See classic advertising posters for the fairs, and view continuous World's Fair home movies and newsreels.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at the Elk Grove Holiday Inn, 1000 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village. $4-$5. Visit worldsfairshow.com.

Here comes Pat!

Singer, songwriter Pat McCurdy brings his own songs and his trademark offbeat sense of humor to the Cubby Bear in Lincolnshire.

10 p.m. Friday, March 27, at the Cubby Bear Lincolnshire, 21661 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire. $6. (847) 541-4700 or cubbybear.com.

Chicago Dance Club

Dance to music from the 1950s to the present with the Chicago Dance Club.

7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at the American Legion Hall, 9757 W. Pacific, Franklin Park. Members $5. Non-members $10. (847) 622-4466.

A big show for tiny cars

Buy, sell and trade die-cast cars at the Chicago Hot Wheels Club Show. The event features Hot Wheels (from red lines to the present), Johnny Lightning, Matchbox and Racing Champion cars. Guests can also watch the miniature cars in on-site downhill track races.

4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, at the American Legion Hall, 570 S. Gary Ave., Carol Stream. $3; under 12 free with paying adult. Call Jack at (708) 921-7899 or Scott at (630) 664-5174.

More tiny things...

See miniature dollhouses and accessories, including dollhouse furniture and food, at the Three Blind Mice Dollhouse & Miniatures Show.

4 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 2; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4 at the Radisson Hotel Schaumburg, 1725 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg. $3-$8; free under age 5. (513) 861-0704 or 3Blindmiceshow.com.