There’s a seasonal theme to many of this weekend’s events: autumn. Fall harvest fest, fall rummage sale, fall gardening, fall bonfire and fall drinking (at Octoberfests). Here’s a roundup of things to do Sept. 23 through Sept. 25:
GLENCOE: Unplug & Play Turn off your devices and enjoy a day of play! On Sunday, September 25, join the Glencoe Park District for this FREE event of momentous play, including crafts, games, and wellness activities. Throughout the afternoon, the park district will offer free fitness classes and demonstrations for families to enjoy together, including: yoga, WERQ with Judy Mooney, Leave No Trace with L.L. Bean, Cheerleading with Chicago Loves Dance, Rowing with Sandy Culver, Knots for the Outdoors with L.L. Bean, Dreams & Goals with Ivivva, Nordic Walking Demos, Crafts, Parachute Games, Sports & Bounce House Fun!
CHICAGO: Get ready for a day to move, a day to move others and a day to be moved at the 5th Annual Moving Day Chicago, hosted by the National Parkinson Foundation on Saturday, September 24, 2016, in the South Fields of Lincoln Park. The two-mile walk winds through Chicago’s Lincoln Park, allowing views of the zoo, lagoon, Lake Michigan and city skyline. A half-mile course will be offered as well. Registration opens at 9 a.m., and the walk begins at 10:30 a.m.
The event will include the walk course, a Movement Pavilion where fitness instructors demonstrate Parkinson’s-friendly exercises, Resource Pavilion, entertainment, refreshments and children’s activities. Moving Day will take place rain or shine.
With approximately 1,500 walkers on 150 teams, Moving Day unites the community in the fight against Parkinson’s disease. Registration is free, and participants are encouraged to fundraise for the National Parkinson Foundation. In 2015, walkers collectively raised $466,000 for Chicago area Parkinson’s programs. Click here to read a story about one local family’s Moving Day team effort for their mom.
LAKE BLUFF: Lake Bluff’s 2nd Oktoberfest Celebration returns and Lake Bluff Brewing Co. will provide German Beers for the Street Fest while Inovasi and Maevery Public House produce traditional German food. Live music by Crooked Moon starts at 6 p.m. and runs until 11 p.m. The event location is 16 East Scranton Avenue, Lake Bluff. For more information, click here.
NORTHFIELD: Get ready for fall with pumpkins, fresh apples, vegetables, mums, cornstalks, and more at the 2016 Northfield Farmers’ Market–Harvest Fest and Not-for-Profit Day. This family friendly event will feature children’s activities and food. Stop by the Northfield Farmers’ Market from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and buy farm fresh items that will put you in the mood for autumn. The market runs through October 15, rain for shine.
Along with autumnal festival items, the Northfield Farmers’ Market will host a Not-For-Profit Day. Participants will have information about their organizations as well as child-centered activities. All ages are encouraged to attend Harvest Fest, bring your kids and friends along because it is free. For more information www.winnetkanorthfieldchamber.com
EVANSTON: First Congregational Church of Evanston Rummage Sale takes place on Saturday, September 24, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Church House (1417 Hinman Ave., Evanston). There will be Furniture, rugs, lamps, china, glassware, kitchen items, lawn equipment, hardware, sporting goods, jewelry and other treasures. All proceeds will benefit the mission and outreach of First Congregational Church of Evanston.
HIGHWOOD: The Starving Artists Show is a wonderful change of pace; a different type of show. The fun event brings an eclectic crowd looking to buy unique art. This is a show where artists can discount, reduce, and generally sell off extra art inventory. Visitors come looking for bargains on everything from jewelry to ceramics to fine art. This unique art fair offers artists the opportunity to sell off their inventory at the end of the season; great art at great prices!
The atmosphere is relaxed, the booth fee low, with great food, fun activities for kids and live music adding to the fun. Artists and/or artist’s reps are welcome to work the festival. Artists will have the opportunity to interact with the public through art demos and booth chats.
LAKE BLUFF: Nationally recognized gardening expert, TV/radio host, author and columnist Melinda Myers will present a free Free Gardening Seminar on “Fall & Winter Landscape Care” at Pasquesi Home and Gardens, 975 North Shore Drive in Lake Bluff, on Saturday, September 24 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The seminar is open to the public and no registration is required.
Myers’ presentation will cover adding new plantings in the fall, including cool weather annuals, bulbs, perennials, trees & shrubs. She’ll also provide plant selection and design tips as well as maintenance tips and ideas for protecting new and existing plantings from hungry animals and harsh winter weather. Attendees will learn best practices for fall lawn fertilization, weed control and winter prep. Myers’ presentation will be followed by a question and answer session from 12:00 p.m.– 1:00 p.m.
WILMETTE: Help Plant Gillson Bird Habitat Gardens, a perfect family activity, on Sept. 24 and/or 25. The Wilmette Park District has thousands of plants to get into the ground, and many hands make short work. Come get your hands dirty, and help create something wonderful!
There are four shifts: two on Saturday, September 24 or Sunday, September 25. The morning shifts are from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the afternoon shifts are from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
LAKE FOREST: Bagpipes & Bonfire Lake Forest Open Lands invites the whole family for a fall evening of games, fun, Scottish entertainment , and a picnic feast. There will be kilted skydivers, a awe inspiring procession of bagpipers and the lighting of the gigantic bonfire. The event will be held at Middlefork Farm Nature Preserve, from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $100 per adult (member), $35 per child, $175 day of the event and non-member. Please visit Lake Forest Open Lands Association to purchase your ticket.
GLENCOE: Please come out this Saturday, September 24 to celebrate Harvest Fest at one of the best community spirit events of the year! Start the day with the Monster Ramble, a 5k family fun run through downtown Glencoe at 8 a.m., sponsored by the Glencoe Education Foundation. Then spend the day on Village Court and Wyman Green (11 a.m. to p.m.) enjoying family friendly games, live entertainment with the band Crew and Famos! DJ Entertainment, fabulous BBQ by Grand Foods, premium wines and soft drinks in the outdoor Coldwell Banker Cafe, and beer selections from Glunz Distributors, and more! All ages welcome! This event is produced by the Glencoe Junior High Project (GJHP) and the Glencoe Youth Services (GYS). Marketing support generously provided by Coldwell Banker Glencoe.
SKOKIE: Women Hold Up Half the Sky, an exhibit that focusses on one of the central moral challenges of the 21st Century – full equality for the world’s women. It is inspired by the book Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, by Pulitzer-prize winning authors Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. Like the bestselling book, the exhibition features ordinary women who have accomplished extraordinary things. It challenges visitors to open their eyes, minds, hearts, and most of all, to take action to improve women’s and girls’ lives locally and worldwide. The event will take place on Sunday, September 25 at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and students.
HIGHLAND PARK: Harmony & Harvest Fest builds on the success of its inaugural event in 2015 by the Ravinia District of Highland Park. The music line up will feature performances by Sam Llanas, formerly of the critically acclaimed nationally revered rock band the BoDeans, and inspirational rocker and Chicago native Michael McDermott. Harmony & Harvest Fest is the perfect start to the autumn season. The FREE live outdoor music festival takes place Friday, Sept. 23 from 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 24 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. along Dean Avenue, between St. Johns and Roger Williams Avenues, and in Jens Jensen Park.
Local favorites, Ravinia Ramblers will headline the fest Friday night with their brand of eclectic pop/rock/jam/grass music. Saturday will open with upbeat and down to earth children’s performance by Little Miss Ann of Old Town School of Folk Music fame, followed by a day full of music, leading into Saturday night’s feature artists, Michael McDermott, who will open for Sam Llanas. Popular Chicago radio personality Greg Easterling of the 97.1 The Drive will emcee, introducing the stellar performers. For the full listing of musicians and musical line-ups, click here.
LAKE FOREST: Join the Equestrian Connection for the annual fundraising event Marty’s Barn Party. Equestrian Connection is a non-profit therapeutic riding center in Lake Forest. This year, event performer is three-time Grammy winner Keb’ Mo’! Please join the Equestrian Connection for food, fun, drinks, great music, and all for a good cause! The event begins at 6 p.m. on Sept. 24 and will be at Equestrian Connection located at 600 N. Bradley Rd. in Lake Forest.
VERNON HILLS: The 12th annual Oktoberfest will be held on Saturday, September 24 from 3 to 20 p.m. at the Vernon Hills Metra Station, located on U.S. Route 45. There will be free kids crafts (while supplies last), free pumpkins to paint (while supplies last), and a free hay ride sponsored by the Vernon Hills Park District. Pick up a free tree from the Park District while supplies last. Food will be prepared and sold by your local nonprofit organization. Beer (Blue Moon and Miller), coffee, pop, and water will also be served. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the flooding in Baton Rouge, LA.
The schedule of events are as follows:
- 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Twist and Shout Balloonist
- 3:00 – Free pumpkins to paint (while supplies last)
- 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Face Painting sponsored by Tricoci University Beauty Culture
- 3:00 – Free Kids Crafts (while supplies last)
- 4 – 10:00 p.m. – Free Hay Rides sponsored by the Vernon Hills Park District and Free trees
- 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Record a Hits – Inflatable’s
- 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Improv Playhouse
- 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Hunter the Magician
For even more North Shore events to consider, please visit the Daily North Shore events calendar. To submit an event to the calendar, please click here.
Have a lovely weekend!
