The Lake County Fair has 89 candles on their cake this year. There is a bit of magic in this iconic Grayslake staple as it has been fun for the family for nearly a century. Stay tuned for the top five things to do at the Lake County Fair and the Lake County Fair foodie guide.
You can also plan a weekend party by taking a walk on the Lake County Libation Trail. From beer and wine to vodka and whiskey, our locally grown, crafted and distilled adult beverages are designed to dazzle and educate the most discerning tastes. Continue here to learn more about the Lake County Libation Trail.
So without further adieu, here are Lake County's top 10 things to do in July 2017.
The U.S’s oldest outdoor music festival is in full swing. Ravinia Festival, one of Lake County’s summer marquee events, has everyone from Tony Bennett to Luciano to Miles Davis to B.B. King to Lauryn Hill to Dolly Parton to Bob Dylan and a host of other unbelievable acts. Ravinia also connects thousands of children in Lake County and the Chicagoland area with professional musicians to work as mentors. You also have the opportunity to see some of these child prodigies perform live. When you visit Ravinia, don’t forget your wine, picnic basket, blankets and lawn chairs so you can thoroughly enjoy a warm summer night in Highland Park with fantastic tunes. Here is a list of all of the performances in July.
The Naval Station Great Lakes Fourth of July Celebration is an event like no other. There is a full music lineup that includes Skillet, Bella Cain, the Navy Great Lakes Band and much more. Besides the live entertainment, the Naval Station Great Lakes event features a Firecracker 5K, family-friendly entertainment, yummy bites, carnival rides, a kid zone, paintball, rock climbing, family bingo, a craft fair and two days of fireworks. The Great Lakes festival was voted by the International Festivals and Events Association in 2011 as ‘one of the top three festivals in the world.’ The Independence Day celebration is a free admission event. Watch two nights of pyrotechnics lighting up the lakefront sky. For an entire list of the top events for the Fourth of July weekend, continue here.
Monday-Tuesday, July 3-4; 3-10 p.m. Naval Station Great Lakes – Ross Field, Route 137, Great Lakes.
Make it an old school movie night in downtown Waukegan throughout the summer at Genesee Theatre’s Film Series. Not only do you get nostalgia from the renowned Waukegan theatre, but attendees will get a chance to rekindle memories with past flicks. This month Genesee Theatre features “Jailhouse Rock” (July 6), “The Blues Brothers” (July 14), “The Music Man” (July 20) and “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (July 27).
Thursdays, July 6, July 20 and July 27 and Friday, July 14. July 6, 20 & 27 Tickets: $6. July 14 Tickets: $20. Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan.
The opportunity is now to treat yourself to something new for lunch. Lincolnshire’s Food Truck Fridays in the Corporate Center Parking Lot will display a variety of gourmet selections. The foodie frenzy will occur every Friday until the end of the summer as a variety of delicious aromas waft through the air, while a delectable dish is prepared right in front of your eyes.
Fridays, July 14 & 28; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Lincolnshire Corporate Center Parking Lot, 300 Knightsbridge Pkwy, Lincolnshire.
Join man, woman and their best friend as they stroll down the streets of MainStreet Libertyville for Dog Days of Summer. Experience the exhilaration of watching these four-legged creatures fly in the Dock Dogs Regional Finals when nationally ranked jumping dogs run down a 40-foot dock and jump into a 27,000 pool of water. The event also features a gratitude ceremony, a pet blessing, a 3K fun walk, a sheriff K-9 demonstration, over 30 vendors and much more.
If you hear an emphatic neigh in the distance, it is coming from the lips of the majestic Tempel Lipizzans in Old Mill Creek. Witness their performances as these trusty steeds progress through the flying horse movements and a four-horse ballet. After the show, attendees will learn about Lipizzan history, the methods of classical riding and receive a tour of the stables.
Multiple dates in July. Tempel Lipizzans, 17000 Wadsworth Rd., Old Mill Creek.
Lake County’s community festivals are a staple of the area. These festivals feature works of art, live tunes, delicious eats and plenty more. Take a look at the summer festivals that July has to offer.
Even if you don’t own a DeLorean, you can take a trip back to the past to experience the 16th-century English Elizabethan era just over the Wisconsin border. The renowned Bristol Renaissance Faire in Kenosha features sword fighters, maidens, minstrels and jesters. There are many photo opportunities like having the chance to meet and greet with legendary celebrities such as Queen Elizabeth and Robin Hood. The Faire also offers games, rides, arts & crafts, eats, live music and one-of-a-kind encounters with a spectacular cast of characters.
July 8-September 4. Bristol Renaissance Faire, 12550 120th Ave., Kenosha.
For nearly a century, the Lake County Fair has provided a great family experience for members young and old spanning generations. The annual six-day event in Grayslake turns 89 years old this year. This Lake County staple will include entertainment, food vendors, live farm animals, carnival rides, games, motocrossing, a demolition derby, a flower show, the Miss Lake County Pageant and so much more. The headliner of the fair’s live entertainment is LOCASH. The band is a chart-topping favorite in the country music scene known for hits such as “I Know Somebody,” (which was RIAA Gold-certified), “I Love This Life,” (which also ascended to the top of the Billboard Country Charts). Tickets for LOCASH are now on sale. Learn more about the fair at lcfair.com.
Wednesday-Sunday July 26-July 30; Wed 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Thurs 10 p.m.-11 p.m., Fri 10 a.m.-midnight, Sat 10 a.m.-midnight, Sun 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission: $5-$25. Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake.
A Mel Brooks cult classic, “Young Frankenstein,” is showing on the P.M.&L Theatre stage in Antioch. This comedy/horror film originally made in 1974 starring Gene Wilder as Dr. Victor Frankenstein is a parody of the classic novel “Frankenstein.” The Antioch theatre's rendition is directed by Deane Jones.
July 28-August 13; Fri-Sat 8 p.m., Sun 2:30 p.m. Tickets: $15-$18. P.M.&L Theatre, 877 Main St., Antioch.
For more events other than the top 10 things to do in July 2017, continue here.
