Good times, good value: Bring on the fests

After waiting all winter to go out and play, the time has finally come. Festival season is breaking out all across Chicago's suburbs, bringing family and friends together for a few of our favorite things: carnivals, food and drink, music and fireworks.

Rarer attractions like art fairs, balloon rides and historical re-enactments are also coming this summer.

But in tough economic times, families have to make a dollar stretch, so we've picked out a few fests that give you a lot of bang for your buck.

War games north or south

Civil War re-enactments offer a chance to step back into history in a way no book or video can.

This summer gives you a choice - Civil War Days this weekend at the Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville, or July 11-12 at Lakewood Forest Preserve at Route 176 and Fairfield Road near Wauconda.

The battles begin at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, when North and South charge into battle in Naperville. Soldiers will repeat the battle at the same time on Sunday.

In the meantime, meet Abraham Lincoln, Harriett Tubman, generals Grant and Lee and more. Buy food or watch a demonstration of 19th-century medical techniques - perhaps not in that order.

Later in the summer, Lakewood hosts Northern Illinois' largest Civil War re-enactment. The sheer scale of the spectacle impresses viewers: 600 uniformed soldiers engage in pitched battle, with the Big Battle at 1:30 p.m. July 12. The 1863 Summer Agricultural Fair, a re-creation of Lake County fairs of the 19th century, is again part of the event.

Naperville's Civil War Days is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6.50 for students and free under age 4. Dollar-off advance tickets make it cheaper than a movie. Get them at the Naper Settlement, Anderson's Bookshop, Canterbury Shoppe, Oswald's Pharmacy and Just Ducky. See napersettlement.org.

Lakewood's Civil War Days costs $8 for adults, $4 for children 4-17, and children 3 and under are free. Download a coupon for $1 off and get more information at lcfpd.org.

Sand and sun

St. Charles combines sand sculpture, water skiing shows, music and more at the Pride of the Fox Riverfest - and it's free.

Returning favorites include the Fantasy Sand Sculpture contest and races of 40-foot wooden dragon boats, powered by paddlers, at Pottawatomie Park.

At Lincoln Park, you'll find "Taste of the Festival," an arts and crafts show, and free activities for children including magic shows, puppets, a storyteller and art activities.

For a fee, there are pony rides, a petting zoo and inflatables, and a carnival in Lincoln Park.

The fest runs June 12-14. For information, visit prideofthefox.com.

Classic concerts

If you like classic rock, Naperville's Ribfest's lineup is for you. This year, the sweet ladies of Heart and the bad boys of Blue Oyster Cult will share the bill July 2.

Yes, you can hear the ringing riffs of "Barracuda" and "Don't Fear the Reaper" on the same stage. Bring your lighters, or at least juice up your cell phone!

Regular admission for Ribfest is $10 - but order in advance and pay only $8. Plus, bring in a Pepsi can for an extra $1 off. Get tickets at the Naperville Park District or Naperville-area Jewel food stores. Children under 11 are free, and part of the proceeds go to fight domestic violence.

If your tastes run more to '80s pop than rock, check out Todd Rundgren on the Fourth of July, or Huey Lewis & the News on July 5.

For kids, $10 will get a wristband for unlimited rides at the carnival from noon to 4 p.m.(ticket sales end at 3:15).

The fest runs July 2-5 in Knoch Park at West Street and Martin Road in Naperville.

No charge for looking

For those looking for art to elevate the spirit or alleviate bare walls, the Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Art Festival will run July 18-19.

The event is ranked among the nation's top fine arts festivals by Sunshine Art magazine. It will feature 190 judged artists with works for sale in paint, sculpture, glass, photography and more. Work by 12 youth artists will be featured in a special tent.

Best of all, parking and admission are free, as are activities like tile painting at a family art tent.

It's 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 18-19 at the Buffalo Grove Town Center at Route 83 and Lake-Cook Road. For more information, contact Deputy Village Manager Ghida Neukirch at gneukirch@vbg.org, (847) 459-2518 or at vbg.org.

• Susan Sarkauskas, Mick Zawislak, and Jake Griffin contributed to this report.

This weekend's events

Saturday

Blooming Fest, Along Main Street, West Chicago: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 80 booths of crafts and garden-related items; entertainment; children's activities and the West Chicago Garden Club's annual plant sale. Westchicago.org.

North Aurora Mothers' Club Baseball Parade, 10 a.m. Steps off at Blessed Sacrament Church on Oak Street, continuing along Harmony to Goodwin School. Northauroramothersclub.org.

Saturday and Sunday

Civil War Days, Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Historical re-enactors and more; battles at 2:30 p.m. each day. $9 adults, $8 seniors, $6.50 youth. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.org.

Sunday

41st Fair Diddley, Woodstock Square, Van Buren and Benton streets, Woodstock. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Juried craft show featuring more than 300 artists. Sponsored by the Mental Health Resource League for McHenry County. Free parking and admission. Shuttle buses available. (815) 385-5745 or mhrl.org.

Fahrrad Tour Von Schaumburg, Blackwell Elementary School, 345 N. Walnut Lane, Schaumburg. Noon. Community bike ride and picnic celebrating Schaumburg's German heritage. Begins with a one-hour, police-guided tour of the village that starts at Blackwell Elementary School and ends at the Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, 101 Schaumburg Court. An outdoor barbecue featuring entertainment and free food and drinks follows. (847) 490-7020 or parkfun.com.

Lilac Parade, Steps off at Main and Wilson, Lombard; travels north on Main to Maple, east on Maple to dispersal. 1:30 p.m. (630) 620-7322 or lombardparks.com.

Norwegian Constitution Day Parade, Park Ridge: Parade steps off at 1 p.m. at Talcott and Cumberland and ends at Hodges Park. Pre-parade activities in the park begin at noon and include crafts, children's activities and entertainment by the Done Deal Jazz Quintet. Free. (847) 823-7596 or nnleague.org.