Fests, Harry Potter party highlight weekend ahead

Posted July 29, 2016 11:45 am

Dragon boat racing, old-fashioned county fairs and a Harry Potter party are among the weekend's options. Here are five ideas. For others, go to dailyherald.com/calendar.

<h3 class="briefHead">DuPage County Fair</h3>

Animal exhibits, music, food, a rodeo and more await at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. New this year, woodcarvers' demonstrate and sell their work. $4-$10; free for kids younger than 3; free for seniors until 3 p.m. Friday. dupagecountyfair.org. 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday, July 29-31.

<h3 class="briefHead">Lake County Fair</h3>

More old-fashioned fun beckons at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Enjoy entertainment, music, livestock exhibits, rides, food, demolition derbies, rodeos and more. $5-$10; free for kids 5 and younger and active military in uniform. Friday is Salute to the Troops day with free admission for active military and veterans with ID. lcfair.com. 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, July 29-30, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 31.

<h3 class="briefHead">Smooth sailing</h3>

Teams from all over America and Canada will compete in the Walgreens Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival, which includes concerts and martial arts demonstrations on Saturday at Flentie Park on Lake Arlington, 2201 N. Windsor Drive, Arlington Heights. Free to view, though donations are appreciated to support Adaptive Adventures. gwndragonboat.com. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 30.

<h3 class="briefHead">Muggle mania</h3>

Harry Potter fans will gather in downtown Naperville to celebrate the midnight release of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts I and II." The event, dubbed The Party That Shall Not Be Named, includes costume and trivia contests, wand-making, potion-making and more. Several merchants will offer giveaways and contests. The Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson, will host a free movie marathon beginning at 9 a.m. downtownnaperville.com. Mainly 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday, July 30; some events begin as early as 7 a.m.

Steel Beam Theatre hosts "Raising the Standard," an evening of American songbook standards performed by Matt and Cynthia Gruel at 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. Hear tunes by Fats Waller, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin and other American masters. $20, half price with purchase of a 2016-2017 season subscription. (630) 587-8521 or. steelbeamtheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 30.

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