Cheap stuff: Family dinner, apples and a little dessert

$10 and under Dinner with the familyThe Sons of the American Legion in Palatine will host a family dinner, open to the public. The meal, for all ages, features meatloaf, potatoes and gravy, and peas and carrots along with side dishes, bread or rolls, coffee and desserts. A cash bar is open in the clubroom.5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, at the American Legion Hall, 122 W. Palatine Road, Palatine. Tickets are $8 for adults; $6 for children, ages 8 through 12, and $4 for children under age 8. (847) 359-1606 or visit amlegion-palatinepost690.org.South of 80Chicago-based cover band South of 80 presents an evening of rock music at John Barleycorn in Schaumburg. The group's musical influences include U2, Pearl Jam, The Killers and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 10:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, at John Barleycorn, 1100 American Lane, Schaumburg. Doors open at 10 p.m. $10. Tickets are available at the door. (847) 619-5540 or johnbarleycorn.com.Exploring the 19th centuryStep back in time to the 19th century as costumed guides demonstrate using a pioneer apple drying basket and serve an array of 19th-century fare at the Durant House Museum's Apple Fall Fest. Guests can also sample savory ciders, prepared in an 1840s hearth and a Victorian wood-burning stove.1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3, at the Durant House Museum, LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W370 Dean St., St. Charles. $2 per person. (630) 377-6424 or ppfv.org.Free Apples galore and more!Dig in to countless apple-inspired treats, from cider doughnuts and pie to apple popcorn and apple martinis, at the annual Long Grove Apple Fest. Traditional American music and entertainment for all ages is featured.10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, through Sunday, Oct. 3, at the crossroads of Old McHenry and Robert Parker Coffin roads, downtown Long Grove. Free admission. (847) 634-0888. or longgroveonline.com.Viva BrazilThe Mount Prospect Public Library kicks off its month-long celebration of South American culture as Viva Brazil performs the samba, a style of Brazilian dance. The group will also display a variety of exotic costumes at the dance show, focusing on the traditions of Rio de Janeiro's Carnival.7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, at the Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect. Free. Registration is required. (847) 253-5675 or mppl.org.Chocolate! The FestivalHandmade chocolates are just part of the fun at the Chocolate! The Festival event at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Elgin. Other highlights include an art show, a children's art area, a rummage sale, wine tasting, appetizers, lunch and, of course, handmade chocolates.9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 357 Division St., Elgin. Free admission. (847) 742-2025 or holytrinityelgin.com.Fairs and festivalsApple Fall Fest, Durant House Museum, LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W370 Dean St., St. Charles: Costumed guides demonstrate using a pioneer apple drying basket, and serve an array of 19th-century fare. Sample savory ciders prepared in an 1840s hearth and a Victorian wood-burning stove. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3. $2 per person. (630) 377-6424 or ppfv.org.Arlington Heights Autumn Harvest Fest, North School Park, Arlington Heights Road and Eastman St., Arlington Heights: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2. Shop at the farmers market at Vail Avenue and Fremont Street, then go to North School Park for family events including a hayride, pony rides, a scarecrow building contest, balloon twisters and a pet parade. (847) 577-3003, ext. 1 or ahpd.org.Autumn Harvest Festival, Spring Valley Nature Center and Heritage Farm, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg: Experience life on a working 19th century farm and an 18th century frontier camp. Events include historical demonstrations, cider pressing, traditional music, a children's craft area, food and more. Runs noon to 5 p.m. Sunday Oct. 3. Admission is $4 per person or $16 per family. (847) 985-2100 or parkfun.com.Cider Fest, McHenry County Historical Society Museum, 6422 Main St., Union: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3. Barn raising, antique tractor contest, entertainment by Charlie B. and friends, exhibits, demonstrations and more. Free. (815) 923-2267 or mchsonline.org.Fall Bulb Festival and Harvest Festival, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe: Fall Bulb Festival combines with the Harvest Festival and the women's Board Bulb Bazaar. Guests can sip cider, wine and beer while listening to live music. Guests can shop 20 vendors for pumpkins, gourmet foods, baked goods, honey, pottery and more. Other highlights include a display of gourds and a straw bale maze. The Bulb Bazaar features more than 200 varieties of tulips, daffodils, alliums and other specialty bulbs shipped from Dutch suppliers. Runs noon to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, and Sunday, Oct. 3. Garden admission is free. Select event fees apply. Parking is $10. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org.Family Fall Fest, Twin Oaks Baptist Church, 15N615 Randall Road, Sleepy Hollow: 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2. Free event features games, prizes, food, chili cook-off, pie contest, bounce house, bluegrass band, hayrides, crafts, face painting and more. twinoaksbaptistchurch.net or (847) 428-6868.Family Farm Fest, Spring Bluff Nursery, 41W130 Norris Road, Sugar Grove: Featuring horse-drawn hayrides on Sunday only, farm animals, antique tractor display, pumpkin painting, kids' activities, food and more. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 2 and 16; and Sundays, Oct. 3 and 17. Free. Weather permitting. Fall centerpiece class at 11 a.m. Saturdays, Oct. 2 and 16. $25. Sunset hayrides on Fridays, Oct 1 and 15, $5, under age 2 free, by reservation only. (630) 466-4278 or springbluffnursery.com.Flatlander's Oktoberfest, Flatlander's Restaurant Brewery, 200 Village Green, Lincolnshire: Runs Friday, Oct. 1, through Sunday, Oct. 3, in the parking lot adjacent to the brewery. Features an exclusive gathering of area microbreweries where guests can sample hand-crafted brews under a German Bier tent. Other highlights include a children's fun area with arts and crafts, inflatable jumpers, face painting and traditional German fare. Events kick off at noon each day. Sunday, Oct. 3, is Family Day. Visit flatlanders.com. (847) 821-1234 or flatlanders.com.Fox Lake Oktoberfest, Lakefront Park, 71 Nippersink Blvd., Fox Lake: Noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2. Features arts and crafts, food, beer tent, music, and kids activities and games, featuring a create a pumpkin contest, hayrides, pony rides, and a petting zoo. Visit foxlake.org.Fox Valley Oktoberfest, Batavia Riverwalk, Houston Street and Island Avenue, Batavia: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1; 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3. Food, drinks, carnival, rain or shine. Free admission. Visit germanfun.org/oktoberfest.Harvest Days, Garfield Farm Museum, on Garfield Road, off Route 38, Campton Hills: Join museum volunteers in this celebration of the season. Continuous demonstrations of farm and household skills, 19th century music and food. 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3. $3-$6. (630) 584-8485 or info@garfieldfarm.org.Long Grove Apple Fest, at the crossroads of Old McHenry and Robert Parker Coffin roads, Long Grove: Runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, to Sunday, Oct. 3. Countless apple-inspired treats, traditional American music and entertainment for all ages. Free admission. (847) 634-0888 or longgroveonline.com.Morton Arboretum's Fall Color Festival, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle: Runs Saturday, Oct. 2, through Sunday, Oct. 31. Features the Fall Color 5K Run and Walk, a "Scarecrow Trail" with scarecrows decorated by local scouting groups, fall crafts, a gourd show and sale, fall fare and much more. General admission to the arboretum is $8-$11. Parking is free. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org.Naper Settlement's Oktoberfest, Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville: Features live music and authentic German fare. Runs 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2. Children's activities are scheduled for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2. Tickets are $8 in advance; $10 at the event. There is an additional cost for food and drink. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.museum.Oktoberfest Celebration, Twin Lakes Recreation Area, 1200 Twin Lakes Drive, Palatine: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3. Dick Theml and The Alpiners perform. German food, hayrides and activities. Attendees are asked to bring five nonperishable food items or donate $5 in exchange for a pumpkin. Sponsored by the Salt Creek Rural Park District. (847) 259-6890.Pumpkinfest, Didier Farms, 16678 W. Aptakisic Road, Prairie View: Annual festival runs through Sunday, Oct. 31. Features hayrides, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, pony rides, children's carnival rides and inflatables. New this year is a Big Cats exhibit, camel rides and a 200-creature exhibit. Farmstand features home-grown vegetables, fall decorations and pumpkins. Food includes pumpkin and apple cider doughnuts. Hours and fees vary. (847) 634-3291 or didierfarms.com.Streamwood Pumpkinfest, Hoosier Grove Park, 700 W. Irving Park Road, Streamwood: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2. Children's fun run, hay rides, games and pumpkin pie eating contests. Pumpkins, hay bales and corn will be for sale throughout the month. Free. (630) 372-7275 or streamwood.org.Vernon Hills Oktoberfest, Vernon Hills Metra Station, 75 Route 45, Vernon Hills: 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2. Features food, music, beer tent, kids' crafts, pumpkin painting, inflatable activities and more. Free admission. (847) 367-3700 or vernonhills.org.Victory Centre of Bartlett's Oktoberfest, Victory Centre of Bartlett, 1101 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett: Features the Die Musikmeister's German Band performing oompah music, bratwurst and other traditional German fare and a raffle fundraiser. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2. Free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Call to RSVP. (630) 213-0100.False7901163Costumed guides demonstrate using a pioneer apple drying basket and will serve an array of 19th century fare during the Apple Fall Fest at the Durant House Museum in St. Charles.Courtesy of the Durant House MuseumFalse