5 things to do this weekend in the suburbs
Looking to have some fun this weekend? It's Kentucky Derby Day Saturday at Arlington International Racecourse and a Cinco de Mayo Festival takes place all weekend at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake. For other ideas, see dailyherald.com/calendar.
Hat trick
Arlington International Racecourse launches its 2019 season with special Opening Day festivities Friday and the ever-dressy Kentucky Derby Day Saturday at 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. Opening Day: Free admission (online), $10 at the gate; Derby Day: $18 general admission; $6 kids. (847) 385-7500 or arlingtonpark.com. Opening day: 2 p.m. Friday, May 3; Kentucky Derby Day: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 4.
Mexican celebration
More than 25 bands performing and regional Mexican artists selling their wares are all part of the Cinco de Mayo Festival at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $10; $25 family package (two adults and two kids). (224) 522-4582, (847) 680-7200 or lcfair.com. 2 p.m. to midnight Friday, May 3; noon to midnight Saturday, May 4; and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, May 5.
Amazing feats
See daredevil acrobats, exotic animals and other performance feats at the returning Circus Spectacular this weekend at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $15-$45; $10 parking. (847) 649-2222 or searscentre.com. 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 3; 10:30 a.m., 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4; and 1 and 6 p.m. Sunday, May 5.
Classical 'Common Man'
Hear Aaron Copland's famed "Fanfare for the Common Man" as part of his Symphony No. 3, which is on the bill for two Elgin Symphony Orchestra concerts at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $30-$75; $10 kids. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 5.
'May the Fourth'
Get dressed up as a Jedi, Storm Trooper, Wookiee or other "Star Wars" character and head to the DuPage Symphony Orchestra's "May the Fourth" concert at Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Hear excerpts from John Williams' "Star Wars" film scores, plus themes from "Gone with the Wind," "Ben Hur," "Dr. Zhivago," "Lawrence of Arabia," "Rocky" and more. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Tickets cost $15 or $38. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu/. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4.