Things To Do This Weekend February 18-20, 2022
By: Jeff Randolph 02/16/2022
New adventures and experiences can be found where you least expect them. Lake County definitely has its share of activities to beat those winter blues. Let’s take a look at things to do this weekend February 18-20, 2022.
Find out the favorite brews, spirits and vino of the Visit Lake County staff by clicking here.
Visit local wineries, distilleries and breweries as part of a month-long celebration of libations in the county. Admire the art exhibits in downtown Waukegan. An iconic musical takes the stage in Lincolnshire. Raise money for a good cause by taking to the frozen waters in Fox Lake. Learn to cook soul food in Waukegan. Lets take a look at the top five things to do this weekend February 18-20.
Let’s toast to Lake County Libation Trail Month/Check in Challenge! “It’s five o’clock somewhere,” as suds aficionados, vino connoisseurs and spirit enthusiasts will be elated with these glasses of “liquid courage.” The Lake County Libation Trail is highlighted by local producers of craft beer, wines and spirits. Whether your adult beverage is an ice-cold frothy lager, a dry red merlot or an old-fashioned on the rocks, Lake County has precisely what you need to make your taste buds dance. The Visit Lake County campaign is highlighted by Bosacki’s Brewery and Tighthead Brewing Co. in Mundelein, Copper Fiddle Distillery, Roaring Table Brewing Co. and Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Light the Lamp Brewery and Glunz Family Winery & Cellars in Grayslake, Nightshade and Dark’s Pandemonium Brewing, Zümbier Brewery and Oppidan Spirits in Waukegan, Buffalo Creek Brewing Co. and Valentino Vineyards in Long Grove, Half Day Brewing Co. and Wright’s Brew and Bistro in Lincolnshire, Mickey Finn’s Brewery in Libertyville, Only Child Brewing Company in Gurnee, Ravinia Brewing Company in Highland Park, Side Lot Brewery in Wauconda, North Shore Distillery in Green Oaks, Pazzo di Vino and 28 Mile Distillery in Highwood, Harbor Brewing Co. in Winthrop Harbor, Wild Onion Brewery in Lake Barrington, Harbor Brewing Co. and 9th Hour Brewing Co. in Lake Villa, Vigneto del Bino Winery in Antioch, Lynfred Winery in Wheeling, Liquid Love Brewing Co. in Buffalo Grove and Black Lung Brewing Co. in Round Lake Beach. Check-in while visiting one of these adult beverage makers and have a chance to win a new Libation Trail Roster Shirt. The long-sleeved 100% cotton shirt lists all the Libation Trail partner locations to visit this year. Once 50 names are drawn after March 1, winners who respond to email notifications with their name and mailing address within seven days will be awarded a shirt to wear proudly. The Lake County Libation Trail Month/Check In Challenge runs through February 28. Participants must be ages 21 and older. Visit Experience.VisitLakeCounty.org to register.
Friday-Sunday, February 18-20; Various Lake County breweries, distilleries and wineries.
This month celebrate the 20th anniversary of the original ArtWauk in downtown Waukegan. The monthly art festival showcases local sculptors, jewelers, painters, mixed-media and various other creators from numerous City of Progress art studios. Dandelion Gallery and Studio’s Artist Alliance member Mona J. Phiffer has an opening day showcase event celebrating Black History Month and Women’s History with artwork honoring women and men that have inspired future generations. The Belvidere Discount Mall’s Cinema Gallery features a photography exhibit by jonrev Projects with two new pieces revealed as a segment of his ongoing “After Dark” project. ArtWauk mainstay galleries such as Kapheim Gallery, Estate of Mind and Tofu Art welcome visitors to explore their downtown Waukegan locations. Be sure to stop to wet your whistle, have a bite to eat and witness live entertainment at various restaurants and Lake County Libation Trail venues on Waukegan Main Street like Nightshade and Dark’s Pandemonium Brewing, La Casa de Samuel, Green Town Tavern, Oppidan Spirits, Win Win Restaurant & Bar and more.
Saturday, February 19; 5- 9 p.m. various times. Downtown Waukegan, various locations on Genesee Street.
Broadway staple “West Side Story” continues its run at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. The three-time Academy Award-winning 1961 film is a renowned musical adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet.” The New York story tells the tale of two young lovers caught in between rival street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. Laced with the music of musical mastermind Leonard Bernstein complemented by the lyrics of Stephen Sondheim, the story is still as relative today as it was when the original opened on Broadway back in September of 1957. The legendary flick is once again in the spotlight to the 2021 director Steven Spielberg reboot has received several Oscar nominations. The production runs through March 27.
Friday-Sunday, February 18-20; Fri.: 8 p.m., Sat.: 4 and 8 p.m., Sun.: 1 and 5 p.m. Tickets: $50-$60. Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire.
Make a big splash at the Fox Lake Polar Plunge as courageous souls take a dipinto Nippersink Lake at Lakefront Park. Visitors are encouraged to dress in costumes unique garb for a chance to be awarded prizes including the possibility of winning cash. Special Olympics Illinois Gold Medalist Mareena Mattison of Prospect Heights will be in attendance to judge costumes and select her favorite. Plunge awards will be announced on Monday, and participants who raised the most funds will be recognized as well on Sunday at noon. After racing through the frigid waters, plungers receive a complimentary cup of soup. Registration starts at 10 a.m. inside the Lakefront Park Building, and the plunge begins at noon. Proceeds will benefit Special Olympics Illinois.
Sunday, February 20; Registration starts at 10 a.m., plunge at noon. Donations start at $25. Lakefront Park Building, 71 Nippersink Blvd., Fox Lake.
“A recipe has no soul. You, as the cook, must bring soul to the recipe,” says James Beard Award-winning American chef, Thomas Keller. Join the African American Museum at England Manor Founder and Executive Director Sylvia England at the Jane Addams Center in Waukegan for “Soul Food with Sylvia.” During this segment of Waukegan Park District’s Black History Month Celebration, England conduct a traditional soul food cooking demonstration showcasing dishes like collard greens, candied sweet potatoes, hot water cornbread and more. Admission ranges between $5-$7. To register for the event, visit WaukeganParks.org.
Saturday, February 19; 10 a.m.-noon. Admission: $5-$7. Jane Addams Center, 95 Jack Benny Dr., Waukegan.
Find out more about Lake County’s five oldest Lake County Libation Trail partners by clicking here. For more ideas on things to do this weekend February 18-20 click here.
