Quick look at suburban festivals
Taste of Chicago won't be the only local festival drawing crowds with food and concerts over the Fourth of July weekend.
Suburban festivals next week offer a mix of music, carnival rides, family events and, of course, food.
Here's a sampling of what you'll find:
Arlington Heights Frontier Days, Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights: Entertainment on three stages, food, family events, sports and carnival. Runs 5 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 1; 5 p.m. to midnight Thursday, July 2; noon to midnight Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4; noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 5. Free. (847) 577-8572 or frontierdays.org.
Arlington Park's Independence Fest, Arlington Park, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights: Gates open at 11:15 a.m. on Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4. Live music and horse-racing featured both days. Fireworks in the evening on Friday, July 3. Visit arlingtonpark.com.
Barrington Fourth of July Festivities, Cook and Station streets, Barrington: Includes live bands, children's activities, alumni gatherings and more. Runs 5 to 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 1; 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3; 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Admission after 6 p.m. is $5 for adults. (847) 382-9220 or barrington4thofjuly.com.
Bartlett Fourth of July Festival, Apple Orchard Park, corner of Stearns and South Bartlett roads, Bartlett: Runs 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday, July 2; noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 3 and 4; parade at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 5, followed by festival events from 2 to 8 p.m. Carnival, food, live music, games, children's entertainment. Visit village.bartlett.il.us.
Hoffman Estates Fourth of July festival, Hoffman Estates Village Hall, 1900 Hassell Road, Hoffman Estates: Live entertainment, parade, fireworks, carnival rides, food. Carnival only from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 1. Festival runs 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 2; events begin at 6 p.m. Friday, July 3. Parade begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 4, with carnival and other activities from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 5, which is "Family Fun Day" in honor of the village's 50th birthday. Festival hotline is (847) 252-5446.
Lakeside Festival, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake: Runs 4 to 11 p.m. Thursday, July 2; noon to 11 p.m. Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5. Carnival, food vendors, music, beer and wine garden, parade and fireworks. $2-$4; free for children 12 and younger and military personnel with ID. Visit lakesidelegacy.org.
Lisle's Eyes to the Skies, Community Park, 1825 Short St., Lisle: Hot air balloon rides, crafts, food, carnival, entertainment. Runs 5 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 1 (carnival only); 3 to 11 p.m. Thursday, July 2; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4; noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 5 (carnival only). Fireworks start at 9:45 p.m. Thursday, July 2, through Saturday, July 4. Daily admission is $3; children under 5 are free. (630) 541-6095 or eyestotheskies.org
Mount Prospect Lions Village Fair, Melas Park, Busse and Central roads, Mount Prospect: Runs Wednesday, July 1, through Sunday, July 5. Rides, live entertainment, Taste of Mount Prospect and other family activities. Unlimited ride special from 6 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 1; and Thursday, July 2; and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 4, and Sunday, July 5. Taste of Mount Prospect from 3 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 3. Parade at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Hotline (847) 870-6622.
Mundelein Community Days, Seymour Avenue and Courtland Street, Mundelein: Runs Monday, June 29, through Sunday, July 5. Carnival, games, music, arts and crafts. Three pageants run Monday, June 29, through Wednesday, July 1. Community Days events begin at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3; events begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 4. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Parade at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 5. Community Days events begin at 5 p.m. July 5. Most events are free. (847) 949-3200 or visit mundelein.org.
Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest, Palatine Community Park, near the intersection of Palatine and Hicks roads, Palatine: 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 1; 5 p.m. to midnight Thursday, July 2; noon to midnight Friday, July 3; 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday, July 4; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 5. Arts and crafts fair and business charity expo July 4-5. Carnival rides, food, family events, sports activities. (847) 604-0288 or palatinejaycees.org.
Ribfest, Knoch Park, West Street and Martin Avenue, Naperville: Bands, carnival rides and ribs. Noon to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 2, through Sunday, July 5. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Admission is $8-$10. children 11 and under free. Visit ribfest.net.
Taste of Lombard, |Madison Meadow Park, Madison Street and Edgewood Avenue, Lombard: 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 1; 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday, July 2; noon to 11 p.m. Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 5. Carnival, food, entertainment and fireworks. Free admission. (630) 375-7474 or tasteoflombard.com.