Get out there and play
It’s a berry good time of year for picking strawberries, which is why the people of Long Grove are having their yearly Long Grove Strawberry Festival this weekend. The festival, held from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday at the Long Grove Historic Village, at Old McHenry and Robert Park Coffin roads in Long Grove, is the town’s 26th year of celebrating the big red berries. Besides having plenty of strawberry-related things to eat, see and do, the festival is free, including parking.
The strawberry, a member of the rose family, can be covered, smashed, dipped and blended into a variety of delectably sweet treats. At the festival, your family can feast on everything strawberry, from a variety of strawberry drinks to cannoli, shortcakes and pies. And who can resist a chocolate-covered strawberry?
As you eat your way through the festival, stop by the Strawberry Jam Kids Fair for some pint-sized entertainment. Kids will have their own booths, can have their face painted, ride rides and watch a Mad Science show. The Mad Science shows are at noon and 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Musical entertainment at the festival is all family friendly in the Fountain Square. Food vendors will be available. For a complete band lineup, visit the Web site. On Saturday your family can watch the Little Miss Strawberry Pageant at 1 p.m. and check out antique automobiles at the car show throughout the weekend.
For more information on the Long Grove Strawberry Festival, call (847) 634-0888 or visit the Web site, www.longgroveonline.com.
Get out there and play some more
Grab your kilts, bag pipes and your best Scottish accent and head over to the Scottish Festival& Highland Games in Oak Brook. But have no fear if your family doesn’t have the typical Scottish gear, because there will be plenty of people who do. We’re sure your kids will enjoy your best—or worst—Scottish accent. The festival and games will be held at the Oak Brook Polo Grounds, 700 Oak Brook Road, from 4-10 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday.
The festival is filled with plenty of games and competitions to watch as well as sheep herding demonstrations and Tug of War. The festival kicks off with the Highland Dance competition and the Heavy Athletics U.S. Open Championship. The championship features traditional Scottish contests such as the 22-pound hammer throw and Caber toss, an event that requires the tossing of a large wooden pole, similar to a telephone pole.
Fill your ears with the Supreme Pipe Band Competition and listen to traditional Celtic bands on the festival’s main music stage. If you get hungry, you can always try Haggis sausage. Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish consisting of sheep heart, liver and lungs, minced onions, oatmeal, suet and salt that has been cooked in a sheep’s stomach. There’s also a Haggis Eating Contest and the Haggis Hurling Contest, where contestants attempt to throw their uneaten Haggis the farthest.
There will be kids’ activities that include pony rides, inflatables, mini-golf, crafts and reptiles. For a full lineup, call (708) 447-5092 or visit the Web site, www.chicago-scots.org. Admission is $8, $3 kids Friday, $13, $6 kids Saturday, $18 weekend pass, $5 parking Saturday only.
Outside Fun
Celebrate summer’s arrival this Saturday and Sunday at Summerfest, 2200 N. Clark St. at Armitage Avenue, Chicago. The festival will feature live music, an art show and a family area filled with kid-friendly activities. For a full lineup of kid- and adult-friendly bands, visit the Web site. Stop by Chicago Parent’s booth this weekend to pick up a goody bag. Summerfest’s hours are 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5. For more information, call (773) 665-4682 or visit the Web site, www.starevents.com.
Piece of the prize
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