Things To Do This Weekend July 31-August 2
By: Jonathan Jones 07/30/2020
Time flies when you’re having fun in the summer, but let's not think about that in this installment of things to do this weekend July 31-August 2.
That doesn’t mean summer is over. Lake County still has so much to do you before the leaves start turning brown, and your children head back to the grueling schedule of school.
Whether you're dining on delectable cuisine, perusing on a scavenger hunt for nostalgic items, taking a spooky stroll, fluttering with the butterflies or creating adventure with your "Goonies," this weekend will go down in the history books.
So what’re you doing next weekend? Take a look at the top things to do this weekend July 31-August 2.
The inaugural Lake County Restaurant Rally kicks off this weekend all across the land of lakes. The “Come Back for Seconds” event is highlighted by over 100 eateries around the county. Visit Lake County encourages visitors to explore unique dining experiences for ten days and to discover and dine across the area, while foodies will find new favorites, sample local cuisine and share their experiences on social media with #LCRestaurantRally. The fare frenzy emboldens cuisine connoisseurs when they arrive at a participating location to check-in utilizing their mobile pass to show they’re in attendance. Individuals checked in at a participating eatery through August 9 are entered into a sweepstakes to win a gift card. Visit experience.visitlakecounty.org/restaurantrally to download the app. This “sister” promotional campaign, akin to Lake County Restaurant Week, helps the area’s hospitality industry partners and keeps the local economy strong. For more details about the fare event, visit visitlakecounty.org/restaurant-rally. The event runs through August 9.
Friday-Sunday, July 31-August 2. Various locations around Lake County, IL.
There’s nothing like a day of nostalgia. Long Grove’s Vintage Days have that neatly wrapped in a bow as the fest features antique, reclaimed, repurposed, upcycled and handmade products from an array of vendors. The annual festival also includes entertainment, elegant eats, tasty treats and delicious drinks. Long Grove Vintage Days is also highlighted by free tractor rides for the youngsters, a penny carnival located on the Long Grove Historical Society’s Farmhouse Lawn (masks are required to enter) and live tunes by various bands including Split Hook Band, Grant Milliren Trio, John Lundy, Colin Cimmarusti and David Mehner. An additional online silent auction has been launched starting at the beginning of the weak. Visit longgrove.org to register. Also, peruse the local Historic Downtown Long Grove shops and restaurants like the Long Grove Confectionery Co., Buffalo Creek Brewing Co., The Village Tavern and more.
Saturday-Sunday, August 1-2; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Historic Downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove.
It’s not even October 31 yet, but there’s something spooky going on at Genesee Theatre in Waukegan. The historic theatre is hosting a GhostWauk and a Historical Tour. This ghoulish adventure takes visitors back to the roaring 20s when claims of ghost sightings and unexplained phenomena have surrounded the historic space. The hair-raising tour features tales of paranormal activities, the theatre’s history and unsettling, unsolved mysteries. The theatre will also showcase the non-spooky side of the theatre as it shares the history of when the theatre first opened its doors in 1927 to 93 years later: present day Genesee Theatre. The GhostWauk and Historic Tours occur every Saturday and Thursday through August 13. Tickets must be ordered in advance, and masks are required. Call the theatre for tickets at 847-263-6300 or via
[email protected].
Saturday, August 1; Historic Tours: 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., GhostWauk: noon and 3 p.m. Tickets: $10 each. Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan.
“Hey, you guys!” Restore Illinois: Phase 4 allows your release from the homestead at a safe distance (and controlled crowds). To celebrate, Loft 21 in Lincolnshire in collaboration with Major League Baseball player’s rising star Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox and the League of Leaders Charity is hosting a makeshift drive-in movie theater on Fridays throughout July. This weekend the Lincolnshire facility presents “The Goonies.” A live interactive DJ highlights the showing, as well as fare for purchase and, of course, the kiddie cult classic. There is a slew of Lake County locations featured in the film – see if you can pick them out. VIP Tickets are sold out, and there are no refunds to the event. The parking lot closes at 8:20 p.m., and if you are not parked by then your ticket is null and void. All vehicles will be spaced six feet apart, and if you leave your automobile, visitors are required to wear masks.
Friday, July 31; Doors open at 7 p.m., movie begins at 8:30 p.m. Admission: $30-$50. Loft 21, 1501 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire.
Witness the majesty and beauty of the Swallowtail, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Skipperling and as many as 500 other colorful butterflies and blooms at Chicago Botanic Garden. The Butterflies & Blooms exhibition highlights species that are native to Africa, Asia, North America and South America. The butterflies are housed in a 2,800-square-foot mesh enclosure on the Regenstein Learning Campus. Visitors can view the cocooned caterpillars make their transformation into butterflies through a window located inside the pupa emergence room. The exhibit is open daily through September 20 (weather permitting). Face coverings are required for anyone ages two years and older, and six-foot social distancing is encouraged.
Friday-Sunday, July 31-August 2; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $6-$8 (not including parking). Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe.
Click here to learn more about the top five things to do this weekend July 31-August 2. Continue here for more information about Lake County Restaurant Rally.
