Weekend picks: Go Rockin' in the Park in Rosemont

Rockin' in the Park

Hear the music of four bands at the Summer Rockin' in the Park outdoor music festival at MB Financial Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Mr. Blotto, Slippery When Wet, Lounge Puppets and American English headline the free event. Visit rosemont.com. 6 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 3-4

McHenry County Fair

Concerts, livestock exhibits, 4-H events, a demolition derby, truck and tractor pulls, food and other family activities are part of the fun at the annual McHenry County Fair, at the McHenry County Fairgrounds, Route 47 and Country Club Road, Woodstock. $3-$7. Free for ages 7 and younger. (815) 338-5315 or mchenrycountyfair.com. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Aug. 3-5

Lolla is here!

The Grand Poo-bah of local music festivals rolls into Chicago's Grant Park this weekend! Suburban music fans will be able to choose from more than 140 bands, from heavyweight headliners like Jack White, The Black Keys, Black Sabbath and The Red Hot Chili Peppers to any number of up-and-coming artists (including Wheeling native Haley Reinhart). Unfortunately, all three days are sold out. For a full schedule, directions and other information, go to lollapalooza.com. 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Aug. 3-5

'Seussical: The Musical'

Caught in the Act presents “Seussical: The Musical,” the 2000 Broadway musical based upon the works of children's author Dr. Seuss, at Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. $10. (847) 202-5222. 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 3-4

Cinema Under the Stars

See a free screening of the 1995 family film “Babe” outside on Friday, Aug. 3, at Meadows Christian Fellowship, 2401 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. A petting zoo will also be on site. Concessions will be available for purchase. Bring blankets and lawn chairs for seating. In the event of inclement weather, the movie will be shown inside the church. (847) 255-8764. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and the film begins at dusk Friday, Aug. 3

Pop power

Latino pop stars Jennifer Lopez and Enrique Iglesias appear in concert with opening act Frankie J Friday at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $29.50-$199.50. (800) 745-3000 or unitedcenter.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3

'Legally Blonde'

ArtReach Educational Theatre, in partnership with Spotlite Theatrix Production Company, presents “Legally Blonde.” This Broadway musical adaptation of the popular film focuses on a fashion-conscious Californian who goes to Harvard Law School to pursue her ex-boyfriend but instead finds her own success. The program takes place at the Meadows Center Auditorium, 2550 W. Golf Road, Rolling Meadows. $16-$18. (847) 372-7798 or artreachspotlite.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5

Metropolis after dark

“Thinking With Your Head ... Men Exposed” — Metropolis Performing Arts Centre resident playwright Scott Woldman's comedy about men, marriage and friendship — returns to the late-night series where it premiered. David Belew directs the show starring Kevin Kurasch as a man who leaves his bachelor party wondering whether he should get married at all. See it at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $20. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 10:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 1

Dog Days at Cantigny

Dogs and their human pals can spend quality time together at the annual Dog Days at Cantigny event at Cantigny Park and First Division Museum, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Special dog play areas, pet vendors, entertainment and more are featured. All dogs must have current vaccination tags. Free admission; parking is $5. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4

World of Faeries Festival

Storytelling, arts and crafts, food and games are highlights of the annual World of Faeries Festival at Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin. Guests are welcome to dress in costumes. $8-$11. Free for children ages 12 and younger. Visit theworldoffaeries.com or vasaparkil.com. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5

American Flyers' Open House

The American Flyers Flight School invites the public to its free open house and aviation seminar at the DuPage Airport, 2700 International Drive, West Chicago. Event begins with a barbecue lunch, followed by a facility tour, given by a certified flight instructor. Guests can also tour classrooms, flight lines and flight simulators. Free admission (including lunch). No reservations are required. Visit americanflyers.net/about/aviation_seminars.asp. (630) 584-4700. Events begin promptly at noon Saturday, Aug. 4

'Willows' at Morton

Theatre-Hikes presents John Morely's adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's classic children's novel “The Wind in the Willows” at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Matthew Powell directs the play with music that centers around the woodland adventures of Mole, Rat, Toad and Badger. $13-$19. (630) or theatre-hikes.org. 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Aug. 26

Floating pageant

Decorate your boat or just sit bankside and watch the floating parade with fireworks during the Fox Lake Venetian Night Saturday at Pistakee Lake/Dockers, 33 W. Grand Ave., Fox Lake. No admission charge. (847) 587-2151 or foxlake.org. 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4

Lacrosse expo

Expect to see plenty of lacrosse fans cheering on exhibition matches between Team USA and the Chicago Outlaws (on Saturday) and Team USA and all-stars from the Midwest Indoor Lacrosse Association (on Sunday) as part of the US Lacrosse Exhibition Weekend at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $12; $20 weekend pass. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5

Lovato debut

Catch former Disney Channel actress (“Sonny with a Chance”) and singer/songwriter Demi Lovato in her Ravinia Festival debut Saturday at 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $27-$32 lawn tickets, $50 pavilion. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4

Music at the beach

Rafael Mendez & The Fabulous House Rockers headline an evening of pop/rock music in a concert at the Stiner Pavilion at Waukegan Beach, 201 Seahorse Drive, Waukegan. Bring a lawn chair for seating. $5. Visit facebook.com/wauksummersat. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4

Spinning yarns

Libertyville's Improv Playhouse presents a night of storytelling featuring yarns spun by Chicago-area performers Shannon Cason, Scott Whitehair, Earliana “Earl” McLaurin, Jeremy Schaefer and Paul Whitehouse about personal encounters ranging from humorous to heartfelt. The theater is located at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. $10, $15 to attend the 7:30 p.m. family-friendly improv show the same night. (847) 875-8578 or improvplayhouse.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4

Antique Tool Show and Sale

The Early American Industries Association and the Mid-West Tool Collectors Association host their annual Antique Tool Show and Sale at Garfield Farm Museum, on Garfield Road, off Route 38, Campton Hills. Collectors will display and sell a variety of tools. Admission is $6; $2 for kids. (630) 584-8485 or garfieldfarm.org. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5

Send in the clowns

Honor circus artists of the past and celebrate the world of circus clowns at the 13th Annual Celebration of International Clown Week, at Woodlawn Cemetery, 7750 W. Cermak Road, Forest Park. The cemetery's west end, known as Showmen's Rest, is the final resting place for many circus artists. Event highlights include speakers, the laying of flowers, circus arts performances, kids' activities, refreshments and many, many clowns. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. For all ages. Free admission. Visit performforthelove.com/showmensrest. 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5

'The Blues: From the Heart and Soul'

Learn about the history of the Chicago blues music scene and about some legendary blues performers at “The Blues: From the Heart & Soul” exhibit at the Lake County Discovery Museum, at 27277 N. Forest Preserve Road, Wauconda. See everything from playbills and original musical instruments to autographs of blues greats. $2.50-$6. Free for ages 3 and younger. (847) 968-3400 or lcfpd.org. 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5

Arlen ardor

Celebrate the songs of composer Harold Arlen (“The Wizard of Oz”) when Tony Award-winning conductor Ted Sperling leads the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with guest vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway and the jazzy John Pizzarelli Quartet Sunday at Ravinia, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $10 lawn tickets, $40-$70 pavilion. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5

Retiring Wiggles

The Wiggles aren't breaking up, but three of the four original members of the hit Australian children's band are retiring after their current world tour. So now's your last chance locally to see Jeff Fatt (Purple Wiggle), Murray Cook (Red Wiggle) and Greg Page (Yellow Wiggle) this Thursday at the Akoo Theatre at Rosemont, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $15.50-$85.50. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9