Best bets: Little Big Town, Sugarland play Ravinia; Dog Days returns to Cantigny
Country at Ravinia
The Ravinia Festival goes country with two major bands playing this weekend. Little Big Town performs Friday with Jillian Jacqueline as an opening act; tickets are $135-$150 for pavilion seating and $54 for lawn seating. Then on Sunday, Sugarland shares a concert bill with Noah Schnacky. Tickets are $130-$140 for pavilion seating and $49-$54 for lawn seating. Both concerts are at 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. Little Big Town at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 28; Sugarland at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 30
Arf! arf!
Canines and their owners can have lots of fun at Dog Days at Cantigny Park. There's a dog play area, vendors and some specially trained canines to entertain. The event is Saturday at Parade Field, 1 S 151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Free admission, but parking is $10. All dogs must have current vaccination tags and be on non-retractable leashes. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 29
Garden gems
Five private gardens in the Libertyville area open to the public for the Hidden Gems Garden Walk on Saturday. The self-guided tour begins around 150 Broadway St., Libertyville. $15. towncountrygardenclub.com. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 29
Stonewall celebration
The inaugural Pride in the Park celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots with acts including Steve Aoki, Todrick Hall and local drag queens, as well as some featured on “RuPaul's Drag Race” such as Shea Couleé and Coco Montrese. The event is on Saturday at Butler Field at Grant Park, 377 E. Monroe St., Chicago. $55 general admission; $125 VIP admission. prideintheparkchicago.com. 1 p.m. Saturday, June 29
Nostalgia trip
Flash back to Top 40 music of the 1980s with the '80s on the Fox concert featuring Rick Springfield, Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, Patty Smyth & Scandal and The Romantics. The concert is Saturday at RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora. $30 general admission; $35-$55 reserved seating. (630) 896-6666 or riveredgeaurora.com. 6 p.m. Saturday, June 29
'Strange Pleasure'
Texas blues guitarist Jimmie Vaughan (“Six Strings Down,” “Tilt a Whirl”) performs in concert on Saturday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $49-$89. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, June 29
'Saturday' on Sunday
Former “Real Simple” magazine food director and Food Network veteran Sarah Copeland promotes her cookbook “Every Day is Saturday” with a cooking demonstration on Sunday at Le Creuset at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago, 5220 Fashion Outlets Way, Rosemont. Free admission. (847) 678-3527 or lecreuset.com or fashionoutletsofchicago.com. 11 a.m. Sunday, June 30
Float your boat
Cheer on homemade boats that both float and sink at the Lake Ellyn Cardboard Regatta, which returns this Saturday at Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn. $50 boat registration in advance; free as a spectator. (630) 858-2462 or gepark.org. 10 a.m. admission; races from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 29