Cheap stuff: Tomato Feast, Buffalo Grove Days, Schneider show
Free 'The Artist's Hand'The Robert T. Wright Community Gallery of Art at the College of Lake County hosts a new solo art exhibit by Gurnee native Carrie Schneider. "The Artist's Hand: Photographs, Film and Videos" is on display through Sunday, Sept. 26.Info: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Robert T. Wright Community Gallery of Art, College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Note: The gallery is closed on Monday, Sept. 6, and Tuesday, Sept. 7. (847) 543-2240 or gallery.clcillinois.edu.Taste a tomatoThe Spring Bluff Nursery in Sugar Grove invites visitors to sample a wide variety of freshly grown tomatoes at its Tomato Feast 2010. Find out both the subtle and marked differences in more than 30 varieties of tomatoes and 28 varieties of peppers growing the Spring Bluff vegetable garden. Guests are invited to bring their favorite cheeses, breads or wines to enjoy, while sampling the various tomatoes. Other highlights include garden tours, music, fresh vegetables for purchase and free recipes to take home.1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, and Sunday, Aug. 29, at Spring Bluff Nursery, 41W130 Norris Road, Sugar Grove. Free admission. (630) 466-4278 or springbluffnursery.com.Buffalo Grove DaysThe annual Buffalo Grove Days festival features carnival rides, parade, fireworks, the two-day BGPALOOZA music fest, arts and crafts, food and more.Runs Wednesday, Sept. 1, through Monday, Sept. 6, at Lake Cook and Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove. Free general admission. There is a charge for carnival rides and food. Visit bgdays.com for full schedule.$10 and under Calling all antique lovers!Seventy-five dealers feature antiques including ceramics, silver, folk art, prints, jewelry and more at The Chicago O'Hare Antiques Show and Sale.Noon to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, and Saturday, Aug. 28; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Admission is $10 (good for all three days). Free parking with paid admission. (847) 692-2900 or chicagoohareantiques.com.Tiny treasuresFind a wide variety of accessories for dollhouses at the Dollhouse Miniatures Show and Sale. No strollers are allowed.Info: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29, at the Holiday Inn Express, 1550 E. Dundee Road, Palatine. Admission is $3-$6. (561) 434-6622 or visit bishopshow.com.A fresh look at a fairy taleNorth Central College's Red Bike Performance Company presents a new take on the traditional fairy tale with its performance of "Little Red Riding Hood: A Woodcutter's Tale." Info: 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, and Sunday, Aug. 29, at Madden Theater, North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $5-$7. (630) 637-7469 or thearts.northcentralcollege.edu.Classical evening at RaviniaPianist Alon Goldstein presents a classical program in Bennett Gordon Hall at Ravinia Festival. Selections include Schumann's "Fantasy" and "Scherzo Op. 4" by Brahms. Info: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, in Bennett Gordon Hall, Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $10. No lawn sales. Park opens at 5 p.m. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org.Fairs and festivalsAlley Art Festival, Water Street Mall, Downer Place and Galena Boulevard, Aurora: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28. Family-friendly, street-carnival atmosphere event that celebrates community and the growing art and culture scene in downtown Aurora. Artwork and handmade items for sale, children's activities, yoga classes, hula-hoop instruction and more. Free admission. Visit aurora-il.org.Bristol Renaissance Faire, 12550 120th Ave., Kenosha, Wis.: Runs Saturdays and Sundays (and Labor Day) through Sept. 6. $9.50-$18.95. Children under age 5 are free. (847) 395-7773. Visit renfair.com for information. Downtown Palatine Street Fest, Slade and Brockway streets, downtown Palatine: Hours are 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, Aug. 27; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, Aug. 28; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29. Music, food vendors, pet parade, family entertainment. Free admission; free parking at Gateway Center parking deck, Smith and Colfax. Visit palatinestreetfest.com.Glen Ellyn Festival of the Arts, Lake Ellyn, Linden Street and Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 28 and 29. Artists display and sell work in a variety of media. Event also includes music, children's activities, food and more. Free. Visit glenellynlions.org.Hainesville Fest, Union Square Park, Hainesville Road, Hainesville: Noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28. Offerings include games, prizes, pony rides, disc jockey, interactive fun, a beer tent, balloon artist, food and bands. Free admission; charge for food and events. (847) 223-2032 or hainesville.govoffice.com.Jazz on the Square Jazz Festival, Woodstock Square, Van Buren and Benton streets, Woodstock: Runs Friday, Aug. 27, and Saturday, Aug. 28, in historic Woodstock Square. See nationally known and local jazz musicians perform. Musical events range from $5-$10 at the door. (815) 338-2436 or jazzonthesquare.net. Marklund's Fourth Annual Music Fest, Marklund at Mill Creek, 1S450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva: Outdoor festival celebrates local talent and offers family entertainment including a "Battle of the Bands." Guests can bring chairs for seating. 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28. Free admission. Marklund is a nonprofit network of services assisting children and adults with severe developmental disabilities. (630) 593-5500 or marklund.org.Mount Prospect Bluesmobile Cruise Night, Mount Prospect Metra station, Southwest corner of Northwest Highway and Route 83, Mount Prospect: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28. Themed classic car nights. Visit downtownmountprospect.com. Round Lake Home Town Festival, corner of Goodnow Road and Route 134, Round Lake: 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 28. Food vendors, kid activities and live entertainment. Free admission. Visit roundlake.com.Taste of the Towns, Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich: 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29. Samples from local restaurants, breweries and wineries. To try the sampling menu from each vendor, purchase a passport for $25 in advance; $30 at the door. (847) 438-5572 or lzacc.com.Volo Arts, Crafts and Small Business Fair, Volo Village Hall, 500 S. Fish Lake Road, Volo: 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 28. Peruse local arts and crafts, and get information about local businesses. Free admission. (847) 740-6982 or villageofvolo.com.False20001334Sample a wide variety of tomatoes at the Tomato Feast 2010 event at the Spring Bluff Nursery in Sugar Grove. False