Cheap fun: Plenty of music, festivals on tap over the long weekend

$10 and under

Jeni & Billy

Hear musical duo Jeni Hankins and Billy Kemp, known as Jeni & Billy, perform their "new old music," taken from Appalachian, bluegrass, country blues and folk traditions. The program features guitar, banjo, harmonica and autoharp accompaniment.

8:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, at the Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. $7. (630) 969-9720 or twowaystreet.org.

Kane County Flea Market

Peruse through tables of antiques and collectibles at the Kane County Flea Market. Every show is different, and one never knows what "treasures" they might find.

Runs noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Admission is $5. Children ages 12 and under with parents are free. Free parking. Visit kanecountyfleamarket.com.

Tom Chapin & Friends

Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Tom Chapin presents a children's pop/rock concert in the pavilion at Ravinia Festival with his group, Tom Chapin & Friends.

2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. Tickets are $10. Lawn seats are $5. Park opens at 1 p.m. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org.

Free

Summer flowers

Although many schools are back in session, summer officially continues for several more weeks. Don't miss a chance to see a variety of blooms at the Garfield Park Conservatory's Summer Tropical Flower Show. The show offers an assortment of tropical plants, featuring various begonias and hibiscus.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and until 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Sunday, Sept. 26, at Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago. Free admission. (312) 746-5100 or garfield-conservatory.org.

Septemberfest turns 40

Live entertainment, carnival rides, games, arts and crafts and food are all part of the 40th annual Schaumburg Septemberfest celebration.

Runs Saturday, Sept. 4, through Monday, Sept. 6, at 101 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 4; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 5; 9 a.m. 9 p.m. Sept. 6. Free general admission. Visit ci.schaumburg.il.us.

Old-fashioned fun

Explore a re-created old-fashioned fair at Kline Creek Farm's Country Fair. See artifacts and oddities in the Tent of Wonders, and watch the Amazing Flea Circus. Gun spinner Garret Popek presents his wild west moves. Guests can play old-fashioned games, ride on a hayrack and more.

Runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, and Sunday, Sept. 5, at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. Free admission. (630) 933-7200 or dupageforest.org.

Bang Zoom and the Whamos

The group Bang Zoom and the Whamos presents a Labor Day afternoon concert of rock tunes at the Beans & Leaves Coffee & Tea Cafe.

3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 6, at Beans & Leaves Coffee & Tea Cafe, 320 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Free. (847) 821-0011.

Fairs and festivals

Bristol Renaissance Faire, 12550 120th Ave., Kenosha, Wis.: Runs Saturday, Sept. 4, through Monday, Sept. 6. Admission $9.50-$18.95. Children under age 5 are free. (847) 395-7773 or renfair.com.

Buffalo Grove Days, Lake Cook Road and Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove: Annual festival features carnival rides, parade, fireworks, two-day BGPALOOZA music fest, arts and crafts, food and more. Runs 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, Sept. 3; noon to midnight Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 4 and 5; 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 6. Free general admission. There is a charge for carnival rides and food. Visit bgdays.com.

Downtown Block Party, downtown Batavia, Wilson Street and Route 31, Batavia: 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5. Bands and Best of Batavia, with $2 samples at participating downtown restaurants from 5 to 9 p.m. Bridge closed from 2 to 11 p.m. Visit downtownbatavia.com.

Fox Valley Folk and Storytelling Festival, Island Park, Routes 25 and 38, Geneva: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, and Monday, Sept. 6. Eight stages with more than 30 national acts featuring traditional and modern music, storytelling, dance, song workshops, food and more. Bring your instruments for lots of informal jamming. Sunday's events include old-time barn dance from 6 to 7:30 p.m., ghost stories from 7:30 to 10 p.m. $15 adults; $10 teens and seniors; free 12 and under. (630) 897-3655 or foxvalleyfolk.com.

Invitational Fine Art Exhibition, Oakbrook Center, Route 83 and 22nd Street, Oak Brook: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5. More than 170 artists display their works. Free. (630) 573-0700 or oakbrookcenter.com.

Lake in the Hills Summer Sunset Fest, Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills: 3 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3; 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4; and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5. Carnival, musical entertainment, food, beer garden, baggo tournament, skateboard competition, horseshoe tournament, 5K race, car show, fireworks, Melon Propellin. Free. Visit summersunsetfest.com.

Long Grove's International World Tour Showcase, Robert Parker Coffin and Old McHenry roads, Long Grove: Runs Saturday, Sept. 4, through Monday, Sept. 6. Event features ethnic music, dancing, food and other activities from a variety of cultures: Italian, Mexican, Brazilian, Greek, Scandinavian and more. Kids' rides and music are also featured. Free admission. Visit longgroveonline.com for a full schedule.

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, Sept. 4. Themed classic car night in downtown Mount Prospect. Visit downtownmountprospect.com.

Naperville's Last Fling, Downtown Naperville: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4 and 5; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 6. Carnival, music, entertainment, beer gardens, Highland games, big wheel races and four-legged follies dog show. Parade begins at 10 a.m. Sept. 6 at Naperville North High School, 899 N. Mill St. Free shuttle, free admission. Tickets sold for concerts. (630) 961-4143 or lastfling.org.

Schaumburg Septemberfest, 101 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Satureday, Sept. 4; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 6. Live entertainment, carnival, games, food, drinks. Free admission. ci.schaumburg.il.us/hfun/september/Pages/default.aspx.

"21st Annual African Festival of the Arts," Washington Park, 5531 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago: Festival turns Chicago's Washington Park into an authentic African village with musical entertainment, a marketplace, food and more. An estimated 300 vendors will sell everything from sculptures and beaded furniture to jewelry and African art. Main stage performers include Tito Jackson and Chaka Kahn. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, through Monday, Sept. 6. Tickets are $10 in advance, or $15 at the gate. Call (773) 955-2787 or go to africanfestivalchicago.com.