Weekend picks: Jurassic Quest brings dinos to Lake County
Dino display
Families with dinosaur-obsessed kids won't want to miss Jurassic Quest. It features more than 75 dino displays of various sizes. The touring exhibition returns this weekend to the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $20; $18 seniors; $34 kids VIP ticket (for ages 2-12). (847) 680-7200 or jurassicquest.com/grayslake. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2
Schaumburg's big fest
The 48th Annual Septemberfest features loads of bands, an arts and crafts show, a craft beer and wine tent, a carnival and more this weekend on the grounds of the Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, 101 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Sunday music features Maddie & Tae at 8:45 p.m.; and 7th heaven at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Fireworks at 10 p.m. Sunday. Free admission; three-day VIP concert tickets cost $25 or $10 daily. (847) 895-4500 or villageofschaumburg.com. 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2; and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3
Bicentennial maze
The Richardson Corn Maze does its part to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the state of Illinois with a custom bicentennial design. The 2018 maze opens to the public starting Saturday at the Richardson Adventure Farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove. $17-$19; $14-$16 kids 3-12. (815) 675-9729 or richardsonadventurefarm.com. Noon to 10 p.m. Sunday; through Sunday, Nov. 4 (holiday and extended hours Sept. 3, 21 and 22 and Oct. 8, 26 and 27)
End of Summer Luau
Pheasant Run is going all out for its End of Summer Luau over Labor Day weekend. Enjoy DJ Susanne's pool parties with live music, dive-in movies, kids' activities and lots of grilled Caribbean-style food from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday on the patio. Nosh on shrimp kebabs ($6), jerk chicken ($5), mango and chipotle barbecue ribs ($7), grilled corn on the cob ($1), foot-long hot dogs ($3) and sweet plantains ($2). And sip on specialty luau drinks such as the Blue Hawaiian ($6), Frozen Lime Daiquiri ($7), Bahama Mama ($8) and Mai Tai ($9). A daily pool pass costs $15. Events start at 10 a.m. Sunday and Monday, Sept. 2-3. Pheasant Run Resort is at 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 584-6300 or pheasantrun.com/labor-day.aspx.
Celtic pride
Embrace all things Irish this weekend with Long Grove Irish Days. Irish music, dancing and food stalls are centered at Long Grove Fountain Square, 228 Robert Parker Coffin Road, Long Grove. Free admission. (847) 634-0888 or longgrove.org. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2; and 11 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3
Support the Union
See what life was like more than 150 years ago for members of the 10th Illinois Regiment and their families during the Civil War Encampment. The living historical re-enactment returns to the Graue Mill and Museum, 3800 York Road, Oak Brook. $5; $4 seniors; $2 kids 4-12. (630) 655-2090 or grauemill.org. 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2
Down home
The Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival blends education and entertainment with 35 acts spread across eight stages on Sunday and Monday at Geneva's Island Park, with parking at the Kane County Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave., Geneva. $20 daily; $15 teens and seniors; kids 12 and younger admitted free. (630) 897-3655 or foxvalleyfolk.com. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Sept. 2-3
North Coast
The three-day North Coast Music Festival brings the beats to Chicago's Union Park this weekend, along with a full lineup at the Silent Disco. 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, at Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $60-$70 (plus fees) for general admission; $80-$214 (plus fees) for VIP. northcoastfestival.com.
By the river
The Downtown Batavia Block Party & Taste of Batavia features concerts, classic cars, a pie bake-off and more. The family fun happens on North River Street and the Batavia Riverwalk, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia. Free admission. (630) 761-3528 or downtownbatavia.com. 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2
So long, summer
The Naperville Jaycee's Last Fling features special concerts by Cheap Trick, Lit, P.O.D., Buckcherry and more this weekend along Jefferson Avenue, west of Washington Street, Naperville. $15-$25 general admission; $30-$50 pit access (standing room); $100-$150 Carillon VIP standing room. (630) 961-4143 or lastfling.org. 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2
O.A.R. at Ravinia
O.A.R. and Matt Nathanson “Just Like Paradise Tour” with The New Respects: The purveyors of the late-2000s hits “Love and Memories” and “Shattered (Turn the Car Around)” hit Ravinia Festival for an alternative rock extravaganza. 6 p.m. (gates open at 4 p.m.) Sunday, Sept. 2, at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $20-$85. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org.
Comedy gold
Chingo Bling blends rap, hip-hop and comedy this weekend in a series of standup sets at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $28 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2