Bonanza in store for bicyclists

Summer weather is here and it's time to break out the bicycles and swimsuits.

Palatine Township will host a Bike Bonanza and Auction from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the township center, 721 S. Quentin Ave., Palatine. The event will feature a bicycle registration, bike obstacle course, the Palatine Fire Department Bike Team and the Palatine Rural Fire Department with engine.

In addition, at 11:30 a.m., X-Game medalist Matt Wilhelm will perform a professional bike stunt show and sign autographs afterward.

A silent auction of gently used bikes will be held from 10 a.m. to noon to benefit the Palatine Township Needy Family Fund. (Cash or checks only accepted.)

In the case of bad weather, the bike auction will be moved inside and all other activities will be canceled. For more information, visit palatinetownship.com or call the township at (847) 358-6700.

In the swim: Palatine Park District's Family Aquatic Center, 340 E. Palatine Road, officially opened Memorial Day weekend for weekends and holidays.

The rest of the park district's pools - Birchwood, 435 W. Illinois Ave.; Willow, 530 N. Stark Drive; and Eagle, at Home and Oak avenues - open June 7.

To check on pool hours and rates, visit www.palatineparks.org.

Seeking crafters: The Palatine Jaycees are seeking participants for this year's Arts & Crafts Fair/Business & Charity Expo to be held noon-8 p.m. July 4 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. July 5 during Hometown Fest at Community Park on Palatine Road and Northwest Highway.

The Arts & Crafts Fair/Business & Charity Expo has a limited number of booths still available. Exhibitors will be assigned a 12-by-12-foot space on a first-come, first-serve basis. An arts and crafts booth costs $60 for both days. A business expo booth costs $150 for both days. A charity expo booth will be free to charitable organizations. Applications for all booths are available on the Jaycee Web site at www.palatinejaycees.org/fourthofjuly.