Summer Fun wrapping up in Barrington
The countdown to the end of summer starts Friday, Aug. 22, with Barrington's last Summer Fun Friday event of the year.
As a way to celebrate the end of the workweek, the village is hosting the event, which features the village's first ever bean bag tournament, along with a performance from Roquemore.
The event is scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Roquemore - playing the best of the '80s, '90s and today - will perform on the steps of Egg Harbor Cafe, 210 S. Cook Street. Food and drinks will be available from Sergio's Pizza, Pasta and Ribs.
Preregistration for the bean bag tournament is required and spaces are limited. For more information, or to register, call (847) 304-3479.
The festival atmosphere will continue in Barrington on Sept. 6 during the annual Family Freedom Festival.
The event, hosted by the Barrington-based nonprofit organization We Do Care, is held as a way of letting troops all over the world know people are thinking of them.
Besides your typical festival activities, the event features military speakers and a chance to meet with representatives from various organizations designed to support the troops.
There will also be a children's tent where kids can write letters and draw pictures for the troops. The festival is scheduled for noon to 10 p.m.
A new portion of this year's event is the 9.11 mile Freedom Run. The course winds its way through Barrington Hills, ending in downtown Barrington at the site of the Freedom Festival.
As a way to support the troops, all race fees are waived for active duty and family members of deployed troops and there's a 50 percent discount for other military members and veterans. For everyone else, there is a $35 fee for the 9.11 mile run and a $30 fee for the 5.6 mile walk/run.
Visit www.we-do-care.org for more information and to register for the run.
Back to school: With school back in session next week, the Barrington-Inverness Police Department is urging motorists to be extra cautious.
Police Chief Jeff Lawler said they are reminding residents to use special care since some kids are taking new routes to school and may not yet be as familiar with crosswalks and other dangerous areas on their path.
To help protect children, police are asking motorists to follow several safety tips:
• Slow down near schools and in residential areas.
•Drive with headlights on - even during the day - so children and other drivers can see you.
•Look for clues such as School Safety Posters, bicycles and playgrounds that indicate children could be in the area.
•Scan between parked cars and other objects for signs of children.
•Practice extra caution in bad weather.
•Always stop for school buses that are loading or unloading students.
For more information, and other tips on preparing children for their first time on the school bus, visit www.ci.barrington.il.us.
cbrooks@dailyherald.com