Food and fun, all in your own backyard

Sure, Taste of Chicago and Milwaukee Summerfest are fun, but what have they got that we haven't got (besides sweaty crowds, pricey parking and expensive tickets)?

This weekend brings plenty of great music to suburban Fourth of July festivals, plus food to rival our neighbors on the lake.

Just you try hitting everything of interest - and then be glad gas prices are about a dollar a gallon lower than they were last summer.

Here's a look at the can't-miss food and music options out there. Yes, it might take a little luck in timing the traffic lights from town to town to hit them all, but just throw the old jet pack in the back of the car in case of emergency. Stow it next to the blanket and the lawn chairs, and let's go.

Music to our ears

1. Naperville Ribfest, at Knoch Park, West Street and Martin Avenue; ribfest.net.

The fest that gave you "Heart" on Thursday brings Todd Rundgren to the stage at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The '70s hit maker and record producer is sure to drag out "Hello It's Me" at some point. Still want more? Huey Lewis and the News performs at 8:30 p.m. July 5.

2. Lisle Eyes to the Skies in Lisle Community Park, on Short Street near Route 53; (630) 541-6095 or eyestotheskies.org.

Head further into the past with a jaunt to Lisle's Eyes to the Skies in time to catch the Chicago Gold Revue featuring '60s hit makers the Cryan' Shames along with Dennis Tufano, original lead singer of the Buckinghams, and Ronnie Rice of the New Colony Six, all starting at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. That concert will lead right into the fireworks at Eyes to the Skies to finish the night.

3. Taste of Lombard, at Madison Meadow Park, Madison Street and Edgewood Avenue; (630) 375-7474 or tasteoflombard.com.

Kick off the weekend with some serious headbanging with FireHouse, playing Taste of Lombard at 9:30 p.m. today. These hard rockers should leave the ears ringing into Saturday, which will be a blessing when the M-80s start popping.

4. Bartlett Fourth of July fest, Apple Orchard Park, at Stearns and South Bartlett roads; bartlett4thofjuly.com.

Chase Daniels and Western Star will give your weekend a "rockin' country" flavor at 8:30 p.m. today.

5. Hoffman Estates Fourth of July fest, Hoffman Estates Village Hall, 1900 Hassell Road; (847) 252-5446 or hoffmanestates.com.

Head over to the Hoffman Estates Fourth of July fest for a set by Take Five at 3 p.m. Saturday. The vocal group specializes in standards and pop tunes, all-American music - and maybe just a little Abba. At 6 p.m., the Diamond and the King pay tribute to Neil and Elvis.

6. Mount Prospect Lions Village Fair, at Melas Park, Central and Busse roads; (847) 392-6000 or mplionsfest.com.

Having covered the covers, it's off to something more original with Dot Dot Dot, playing the Mount Prospect Lions' Village Fair at 8 p.m. today. The group is a former Fox "The Next Great American Band" contender, having placed in the top five in the "American Idol"-style reality competition two years ago.

7. Arlington Heights Frontier Days, Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner St.; (847) 577-8572 or frontierdays.org.

Arlington Heights' Frontier Days hosts Catfight at 5:15 p.m. today. The six "purr-fect ladies" play a caterwauling pop rock ranging from Joan Jett and Pat Benatar to Katy Perry and Pink. Stick around for Eddie Money at 8 p.m. today.

8. Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest, Community Park, Palatine Road and Northwest Highway; (847) 604-0288 or palatinejaycees.org.

There's a classic kids' show theme to things, as Bucket Number 6 plays the Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest at 7 p.m. Saturday. Named after the famous "Bozo's Circus" bucket game, the band deals in eclectic rock covers ranging from the Beatles' "I Feel Fine" to Twisted Sister's "We're not Gonna Take It."

9. Barrington Fourth of July fest, in the north train commuter lot at Spring Street in downtown Barrington; barrington4thofjuly.com. What's July 4 without a little John Philip Sousa? It's off to Barrington's Fourth of July fest to catch the hometown Barrington Community Band when it kicks things off at noon Saturday.

10. Mundelein Community Days, at Seymour Avenue and Courtland Street; (847) 949-3200 or mundelein.org.

The Blooze Brothers play Mundelein Community Days from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday. While the band might not be quite as good as the one with Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn on the feature film, they play the same reverential old blues and soul songs Jim Belushi and Dan Aykroyd did in their "Saturday Night Live" Blues Brothers days.

11. Lakeside Festival, 401 Country Club Rd., Crystal Lake; lakesidelegacy.org.

Follow up the Blooze Brothers with the Smoking Popes at the Lakeside Festival at 8 p.m. Sunday. The Popes, featuring the Caterer brothers from Lake in the Hills, made their mark in alternative rock in the '90s before Josh Caterer left the band. They've since reformed, and while playing much of their old material, they're also now undeniably family friendly, and they lead once again into more fireworks to finish off the weekend.

Until we eat again

1. Naperville Ribfest, at Knoch Park, West Street and Martin Avenue; ribfest.net.

Naperville's Rib Fest is a must-stop on the suburban fest circuit and a Mecca for barbecue fans. Do NOT leave without stopping for a plate of ribs from the Smokin' Joes Hog Wild BBQ, 2008's best sauce winner.

2. Lisle Eyes to the Skies in Lisle Community Park, on Short Street near Route 53; (630) 541-6095 or eyestotheskies.org.

Plan your visit to Lisle Eyes to the Skies just before the fireworks start. What could be more enjoyable than noshing on chocolate fondue from the Melting Pot while fireworks explode overhead?

3. Taste of Oak Brook, 4 p.m. to dusk July 3, Oak Brook Polo Club, 700 Oakbrook Road. oak-brook.org or (630) 368-5000.

Sure, there's plenty to love about lemon shake-ups and funnel cakes, but at Taste of Oak Brook you can enjoy bites from some of the area's top restaurants like Adobo Grill, The Capital Grille, Mike Ditka's and Labriola Bakery without worrying about sometimes hard-to-come-by reservations.

4. Taste of Lombard, at Madison Meadow Park, Madison Street and Edgewood Avenue; (630) 375-7474 or tasteoflombard.com.

Still looking to fulfill your hankering for barbecue? Head to Taste of Lombard for a pulled pork sandwich and sweet potato fries from Salt Creek BBQ.

5. Arlington Heights Frontier Days, Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner St.; (847) 577-8572 or frontierdays.org.

Take a break from fried fair fare and indulge with a plate of Urban Harvest's pasta primavera at the new Lighter Fare booth at Frontier Days in Arlington Heights.

6. Barrington Fourth of July fest, in the north train commuter lot at Spring Street in downtown Barrington; barrington4thofjuly.com.

For just $5 kids get unlimited access to kids activities, plus a hot dog, chips and soda from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 3 and 4 at Barrington's Fourth of July Fest. The deal isn't quite as sweet for adults wandering into the brat and beer tent, but the tasty summer sausages come from the nearby Mill Rose Country Store and Rose Packing.

7. Mundelein Community Days, at Seymour Avenue and Courtland Street; (847) 949-3200 or mundelein.org.

How many chicken wings can you choke down in 15 minutes? Enter Saturday's King of the Wings contest at Mundelein's Community Days and find out. Entry fee is $35; entry form at mundelein.org.

8. Lakeside Festival, 401 Country Club Rd., Crystal Lake; lakesidelegacy.org.

Grab a slice of McHenry County's best pizza from the Georgio's Pizza stand at Lakeside Festival in Crystal Lake. Wash it down with one of Bob Chinn's famous mai tais.

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