Features live music, children's activities, vendor booths and a variety of sweets, desserts and gourmet baked goods. Plus, baking demonstrations and a Chocolate Bake-Off Contest.

Docents help children and others learn through interactive displays and games in the showrooms. New topics every month. September: "Traveling Seeds"; October: "Cone Bearing Plants"; November: "Fruits, The Seasonal Food Harvest"; December: "Eggs and the Conservatory Critters"; January: "Urban Wildlife"; February: "Chocolate"; March topic: "Survival in the Jungle"; April: "Carnivorous Plants"; May: "Water Works."

With small solar lights to guide their way, hikers, skiers and snowshoers can traverse the 1.3-mile fitness trail at Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville or the 1.65-mile hilly section of the Millennium Trail adjacent to the winter Sports Area at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda. Starting Sunday, Nov. 4, the trails and adjacent parking lots will remain open until 9 .m. daily until March 9.

Feature the black bear and its adaptations for survival in the forest. Crawl into the bear's den, compare your senses to that of the black bear, feel his fur, come face to face with a black bear mount and more.

Families can enjoy winter activities and meet live animals. Activities may include ice carving demonstrations, live animals such as birds of prey, Siberian huskies, live entertainment from the Old Town School of Folk Music, arts and crafts table, and free snowshoe rental if weather conditions allow. First 500 visitors receive a Polar Adventure Day mug filled with hot chocolate. Dress for the outdoors. Call to confirm scheduled activities.

Go "behind the scenes" for an all-new experience at the military museum, plus see rare artifacts seldom displayed. Also features guided tours and hands-on educational activities for all ages.

Watch as LEGO trains race through cities and towns, as well as scenes from popular movies in a custom-made display produced by the Northern Illinois LEGO Train Club. On Saturday, the DuPage Society of Model Engineers will be operating the HO model layout located on the lower level.

Story-Telling  | Chicago

FREE

Kids will enjoy stories staged with puppets and drawings, while being exposed to the French language. Side activities facilitate comprehension. Today's story is Le petit ogre veut aller à l'école, a story of an ogre who's learning to read.

Exhibit includes numerous artifacts, photographs and other documentary items that tell the story of Chicago's iconic candy makers, including Snickers, Lemonheads, Butterfingers and Cracker Jack.

Come to the library for an afternoon of drawing, reading, and learning about comics. Create your own comic book character and learn how to make a comic strip.