"There goes my hero. Watch him (her) as he (she) goes," (the Foo Fighters). The Vernon Hills Park District launches their new You're My Superhero event bonding the young gentleman with his favorite female role model. Whether it be mom, grandma, auntie, cousin or someone else with the double X chromosome, it is guaranteed to be a super event. The caped crusading event also features music, dancing, games and ice cream.
Friday, March 22; 6:30-8:30 p.m. Admission $20-$25. Sullivan Community Center, 635 N. Aspen Dr., Vernon Hills.
Take the family out for a day of fun as DoubleTree Mundelein hosts their annual Multi-Chamber Extreme Block Party Family Expo & Taste. This event will feature 100-plus local vendors, live entertainment, 50+ raffle prizes, a live reptile show featuring Dave DiNaso, face painting, food samples, product demonstrations from local eateries and so much more. This festive event is for all ages and free of admission.
Saturday, March 23; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free admission. DoubleTree Mundelein, 510 E. Route 83, Mundelein.
Visit the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort and take a sabbatical with some scotch on the rocks around an open fire. The Three Embers Restaurant tasting series happens three times a year (June 19 and Oct. 23). This specific event has a four-course meal included and the featured libations are from Jack Daniel's and Old Forester. Get your tix now because space is limited.
Wednesday, April 3; 6:30-8 p.m. Tickets: $45 per person. Three Embers, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire.
MainStreet Libertyville invites one and all to their monthly celebration of First Fridays on MainStreet. A variety of fantastic drinks, mouth-watering eats and live entertainment surrounds the event as you peruse the Lake County local mom and pop stores offering promotional sales. Be there or be square! The Friday celebration is a free admission event.
First Friday of the month; 6-9 p.m. Downtown Libertyville, Milwaukee Avenue.
It's a party at Club Tiki and everyone's invited (well if you're 21 and older). The Waukegan Lake County Libation Trail participant is throwing a tropical box social reminding us that summer is not far away at all. Spinning the wheels of steel is DJ SP SOUNDTRAXX. This St. Dismas Parish Fundraiser also features island-themed eats, lots of dancing and of course the Gold Pyramid House Vodka. One ticket includes admission, dinner and one drink. Call St. Dismas Parish at 847-623-5050 for tickets.
Saturday, April 6; 5-11 p.m. Tickets: $50. Club Tiki, 3500 Sunset Ave., Waukegan.
There’s no hook, line or sinker to experience the prominent Fly Fishing Film Tour at the Gorton Community Center’s John & Nancy Hughes Theater this Sunday. Fishing fanatics gather each year to soak up films from around the world and dream about casts yet unmade. The tour stopping at the Lake Forest facility is dedicated to supporting the sport’s educational and environmental efforts. There will be a fly fishing expo from 2-4 p.m.
Sunday, April 7; 1 and 4 p.m. Admission: $15. Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Rd., Lake Forest.
Spring into the season with Chicago Botanic Garden at the Unearth Science Festival for Earth Week. The Glencoe event features science activities from soil science to surviving the zombie apocalypse. Attendees can also participate in drop-in programs, themed demonstrations, free programs and special events throughout the three-day extravaganza. WGN-TV Meteorologist Tom Skilling will be in attendance with a climate change update. Registration is required for various events.
Saturday-Sunday, April 13-14; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe.
Every year the James Lumber Center gives us a slew of eye-opening performances from the Fear No Art Festival. This year is no different as the Grayslake Art Festival reaches its 21st year at the College of Lake County. This lively festival features a variety of artists performing music, dance and poetry. Also, there will be a stunning display of other art mediums including paintings, photography and sculptures by CLC students and community artists.
Friday-Saturday April 26-27; Fri: 7:30 p.m., Sat. 2 and 7:30 p.m. James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake.
The Beer, Bacon and Bourbon tasting in libertyville is a can't-miss spring fest. The event will feature over 76 beers and bourbons and a slew of different bacon. The $25 ticket includes a tasting glass and unlimited samples. Tickets sold out early last year, and they are limited to the first 150 people.
Two weeks prior to this sudsy event, we celebrate National Beer Day. A great way to celebrate it is by making a stop on the Lake County Libation Trail at Mickey Finn's Brewery in Libertyville. Other Lake County Libation participants besides the Libertyville brewhouse include Harbor Brewing Co. of Winthrop Harbor, Light the Lamp Brewery of Grayslake, Roaring Table Brewing of Lake Zurich, Half Day Brewing Co. of Lincolnshire, Tighthead Brewing Co. in Mundelein and Only Child Brewing of Gurnee. The tickets include a tasting glass and a $10 Mickey Finn's gift card.
Saturday, April 27; 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tickets: $50-$75. Mickey Finn's Brewery, 345 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville.
"You can't see the wood for the trees?" Highland Park celebrates the tree holiday as dozens of local business plant trees, shrubs and flowers around the city. The event features a live raptor talk (Falcons) and a touch-a-truck exhibit for the kiddies. While supplies are available, the city will give away 500 free oak tree seedlings.
Saturday, April 27; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Jens Jensen Park, 486 Roger Williams Ave., Highland Park.
Our hop and barley-loving friends over the age of 21 will not want to miss yet another craft festival, this time at the Long Grove Craft Beer Festival. (We’re pretty spoiled here, you know.) This sudsy event’s ticket includes a commemorative glass and unlimited three-ounce samples. Lake County Libation Trail participants for the fest include Buffalo Creek Brewing and others will be on hand for the event. The beer sipping affair also features live tunes from Anderlik & Otto from noon-2 p.m. and Charlie Foxtrot 2:30-5 p.m. Don’t forget to peruse the niche stores of beautiful Historic Downtown Long Grove.
Saturday, April 27; noon-5 p.m. Tickets: $40-$50. Historic Downtown Long Grove, 360 Historical Ln., Long Grove.
Celebrate spring in the Chicago Botanic Garden by writing a seasonal haiku and making a cherry blossom hanging scroll, plus try other hands-on activities like a suminagashi paper marbling demonstration. Experience traditional storytelling and a koto harp and Skahuachi flute music performance, and take a walk in the Japanese Garden.
Saturday-Sunday, April 27-28; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe.
Lake County has adopted the tradition of Cinco de Mayo. The fiesta hosted by the Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center features more than 25 live bands including mariachis, folkloric dancers, rides, games, delicious traditional cuisine and libations.
Friday-Sunday, May 3-5; Fri & Sat: Noon-midnight, Sun: Noon-11 p.m. Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center, 1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake.
"Celebrate Seniors" is a festival with entertainment, refreshments and over 25 exhibitors. This year they are also planning a talent show. The fest is a free event that all ages are invited to. Say three cheers to the older adults and have a great time while picking up some important information from ElderCARE Lake County.
Sunday, May 5; 2-5 p.m. Free admission. University Center of Lake County, 1200 University Center Dr., Grayslake.
Cheers to the two-day brew third annual Lake Zurich Craft Beer Fest in Paulus Park. Attendees will be able to sample more than 100-craft beers by prestigious local and regional breweries. The fest also features live music and plenty of eats for purchase. The band line up includes Louder Now and Nerdvana on Friday and Fletcher Rockwell and Lava Rock on Saturday. All attendees will receive a souvenir three-ounce tasting glass. This is a 21 and older event.
Friday-Saturday, May 10-11; 5-10 p.m. Admission: $39-$50. Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Rd., Lake Zurich.
Fare aficionados will go on a Food Truck Frenzy at the Lake County Fairgrounds. Whether you are considering hiring a food truck for your wedding, office, party at home or you just want to make your taste buds dance; this Grayslake family-friendly event is for you. The food fight features food trucks including Your Sister's Tomato Wood Fired Pizza, Happy Lobster and more. The proceedings of this event will go towards the Prevention of Child Abuse.
Saturday, May 11; noon-5 p.m. Admission: $30. College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake.
Anything is good if it’s made of chocolate. The annual Long Grove Chocolate Festival kicks off this weekend as we celebrate the slow change to spring. Be in a chocolate lover’s paradise as Long Grove Confectionery will be in attendance as well as a plethora of other vendors, live entertainment and of course your chocolatey vices. Fan favorite bands include Sixteen Candles, 7th Heaven, Karma Committee, Midnight Rider and more.
Friday-Sunday, May 17-19; Fri: noon-11 p.m., Sat: 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission: $5-$15. Historic Downtown Long Grove, 360 Historical Ln., Long Grove.
"Food, glorious food! what is there more handsome!" Lincolnshire’s Food Truck Fridays are located in the Corporate Center Parking Lot and offer a variety of choices in the gourmet eats department. The foodie frenzy includes local trucks providing barbecue, innovative sandwiches, seafood options, international eats and so much more. Take in the aromas that waft through the air, while a delectable dish is prepared right in front of your eyes. There will also be kiddie entertainment and live music. The event runs every other Friday through August 23.
May 17-August 23; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free admission. Lincolnshire Corporate Center Parking Lot, 300 Knightsbridge Pkwy., Lincolnshire.
Don’t have the time to make it out to the Sunshine State this year? No worries. Blarney Island is bringing Key West to the Midwest for an entire weekend of festivities. Enjoy a weekend of good times, drinks, eats and a live DJ.
Saturday-Sunday, May 18-19. Blarney Island, 27843 W. Grass Lake Rd., Antioch.
The City of Waukegan is altering the ArtWauk; pray they don’t alter it any further. It’s not a trap because this edition of the Waukegan artsy celebration is transforming to StarWauk. This inaugural festival of the Star Wars saga and science-fiction genre during the monthly ArtWauk features free live entertainment, art exhibits, unique shops, costume contests, delicious eats and more. Have fun, you will.
Friday, May 19; 5-10 p.m. Downtown Waukegan, Genesee Street.
The Chain O’Lakes is far from placid on Thursday nights during the summer. Thunder on the Chain features the unique world of drag boat racing from June-September hosted by Blarney Island on Grass Lake. If you have the need for speed on a ‘school night,’ witness these fearless racers competing in nine different classes from the Northern Illinois Drag Boat Association as they sprint for the gold. Thunder on the Chain fields races through August
