Buffalo Grove Days sends off summer with final fling

While her friends screamed at the top of their lungs on rides like 1001 Nachts and the Inverter, 10-year-old Renee Heller preferred to keep both feet firmly planted on the ground.

Although the carnival rides at the annual Buffalo Grove Days festival are a major attraction, rides that spin around in a blur, race around a track or flip over are not Heller's cup of tea.

And that's fine, the Buffalo Grove resident said - there's still plenty to do at the festival, which signaled the unofficial end of summer Monday.

"I like to try all of the different restaurants," said Heller, who was at the event Monday with her father, Marc Heller. "I don't do the rides except maybe the baby rides or the Ferris wheel and the merry-go-round. But things like the Matterhorn, I hate it."

Heller said her favorite vendors are Culver's Frozen Custard and Kaleidascoop.

"I pretty much love all of the places that have ice cream," Heller said. "Vanilla ice cream."

Jim Donahue, of Arlington Heights, watched as his children Riley, 9, and Quinn, 7, lined up for another turn on 1001 Nachts, a sky-high ride that sends seated passengers in a circular motion, always upright.

"The kids love the rides," said Donahue, who said it was the third year the family had attended the festival.

In addition to the plethora of rides, the festival offered a dance party for children with special guests Benny the Bull - the Chicago Bulls Mascot, Dora the Explorer and Care Bears.

An art and crafts display, business fair as well as beer and food also kept the large crowds at the event entertained. A special food and fun event for people with disabilities let special needs children and their families enjoy the festival atmosphere.