Events @ a Glance: Recreation & Destinations Calendar

Recreation opportunities abound in our region! Here are a few of the best our area has to offer.

February

Woodstock Winter Farmers Market
Through April 18, Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Farmers market offerings along with several artisans. Building D, McHenry County Fairgrounds, 12015 Country Club Road, (815) 338-5315, mchenrycountyfair.com.

Coffee Cup Crawl
Feb. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy a day of sampling hot and cold coffee beverages, as well as some adult varieties for those 21 and over, from 14 venues; includes complimentary coffee mug. Location: Downtown Geneva. Info: Geneva Chamber of Commerce, 8 S. 3rd St., Geneva, (630) 232-6060, genevachamber.com.

Winter Discovery Walk
Feb. 23, 2-3 p.m. Discover animal and plant treasures on this guided walk; warm up with a cup of tea or hot chocolate afterward. Ryerson Woods Conservation Area & Visitor Center, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods, (847) 968-3321, lcfpd.org.

Ice is Nice
Feb. 27, 9:30-10:30 a.m. for children 3 years old with a parent, grandparent or guardian; 1-2 p.m. for ages 4-5. Discover the wonders of nature through stories, nature hikes, songs, games or crafts. Reg. online. LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles, (630) 232-1242, kaneforest.com.

Yoga and Wine
Feb. 28 & March 27, 6-8:15 p.m. An evening of friendship and yoga, featuring a variety of yoga styles. All levels are welcome. Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Dr., Crystal Lake, (815) 459-0680, crystallakeparks.org.

Kane County Flea Market
Feb. 29-March 1, Sat. noon-5 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Over 600 dealers offer refurbished furniture, vinyl records, sports collectibles, and lots of unexpected treasures. Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles, (630) 584-6926, kanecountyfleamarket.com.

March

Discovery Days
March 6, 10-11 a.m. Enjoy an hour of fun with a game, craft and educational activities based on the theme of the day. Reg. online. Lost Valley Visitor Center, 6316 Harts Road, Ringwood, (815) 678-4532, mccdistrict.org.

Festival of the Sugar Maples
March 7-8 & 14-15, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Hear stories of how maple syrup was made hundreds of years ago; discover how maple trees produce sap each spring and how it’s collected; see how the syrup is made at the evaporator house and then taste a sample. Coral Woods, 7400 Somerset, Marengo, (815) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.

Son’s Date Night
March 7, 5-7 p.m. Dress up like a tourist or someone from your favorite place, grab your passport and a parent for a trip around the world. An afternoon of dancing, crafts and dinner. Ages 4-10. Reg. online. Crystal Lake Park District, Grand Oaks, 1401 W. Ill. Rt. 176, (815) 459-0680, crystallakeparks.org.

Daddy-Daughter Dance
March 7 & 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Celebrate the Roaring Twenties as a flapper, gangster or silent screen star with an evening of entertainment, dancing and refreshments. Costumes encouraged, but not required. Reg. online. Pottawatomie Community Center, 8 North Ave., St. Charles, (630) 513-4329, stcparks.org.

Paddling the Nippersink
March 11, 7-8:30 p.m. Get all the information you need to plan your canoe or kayak trip on the beautiful Nippersink Creek, including how to dress, how to read the USGS water level website and where to get equipment. Lost Valley Visitor Center, Ringwood, (815) 678-4532, mccdistrict.org.

Trap a Leprechaun
March 12, 10 a.m. Make a leprechaun trap to take home and check out the special door that welcomes wee ones into the Nature Center to bring good luck. Take a short hike to see if the outdoor trap worked. Reg. online. Crystal Lake Park District Nature Center, 330 N. Main St., Crystal Lake, (815) 459-0680, crystallakeparks.org.

Fox Valley Antiques Show & Sale
March 14-15, Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. More than 50 dealers from 15 states offer antiques. Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, (630) 584-6926, kanecountyfair.com.

Second Saturday
March 14, noon-3 p.m. A family drop-in program. This month features activities about the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. Make suffragette sashes and learn about the women who have influenced history. McCormick House Gold Theater, Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, (630) 668-5161, cantigny.org.

Fairy Spa
March 14, 2 p.m. Spring is a favorite time for fairies. Using natural ingredients and materials, follow in fairy tradition and mix up special spring spa items. Then test these out in a spa setting as you sip fairy beverages and take your items home. Reg. online. Colonel Palmer House, 660 E. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake, (815) 477-5873, crystallakeparks.org.

Forts on the Courts
March 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Teams get three large sheets of cardboard and a roll of duct tape to build a fort of their choice. Prizes for the three favorite forts. See website for other approved fort-building materials. Reg. online. The Racket Club, 9101 S. Ill. Rt. 31, Lake in the Hills, (815) 459-0680, crystallakeparks.org.

“An American in Paris”
March 18, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy the classic film in which an American GI is trying to make it as a painter in Paris following the end of WWII, set to the music of George and Ira Gershwin. Lunch at Drury Lane. Leave from Veteran Acres. Reg. online. Info/Reg.: Crystal Lake Park District, Admin. Bldg., 1 E. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake, (815) 459-0680, crystallakeparks.org.

Orienteering Workshop
March 21, 9 a.m.-noon. Participants ages 11-17 plan a journey with confidence after learning to orient their compass and map; find points on a map and how to take a bearing using a compass. Set up and navigate a compass course working in teams. Reg. online. Crystal Lake Park District Nature Center, (815) 459-0680, crystallakeparks.org.

Home Shows
March 21-22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. See all the possibilities to refresh, remodel and renew your home under one roof. Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, (630) 584-6926, kanecountyfair.com.

Our Native Past
March 28, 2-3:30 p.m. An immersive presentation about local Native American tribes and customs, including the making of native pasta. Nature Center, Crystal Lake Park District, (815) 459-0680, crystallakeparks.org.

April

Kane County Flea Market
April 4-5, Sat. noon-5 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Over 600 dealers offer refurbished furniture, vinyl records, sports collectibles, and lots of unexpected treasures. Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, (630) 584-6926, kanecountyfleamarket.com.

Springtime on the Farm
April 4, noon-4 p.m. Reg. req. With winter winding down, help the Primrose farmers ready the farm for warmer weather; shell corn, make butter, prepare the garden for planting and assist with household chores. Primrose Farm, 5N726 Crane Road, St. Charles, (630) 513-4374, stcparks.org.

Doggie Egg Hunt
April 4, 2 p.m. Age 3 and up. Grab a leash and let your pup hunt for eggs filled with treats and prizes. Photos with Easter Bunny following hunt. Bring basket; current vaccinations and tags required. River Bend Community Park, Courier and Geneva Avenues, St. Charles, (630) 513-4330, stcparks.org.

Easter Egg Hunt Open House
April 4-5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Bring your own basket or decorate your own Easter bag; visit with Mr. and Mrs. Bunny for a photo. Rain or shine. Usborne children’s book fair in the Visitors Center. Cantigny Park, Wheaton, (630) 668-5161, cantigny.org.

Doggy Egg Hunt
April 5, 1 p.m. Bring your furry friend to sniff out treat-filled eggs; then visit with the Easter bunny, make your own dog toy, play games and participate in a costume contest whose winner takes home a basket filled with dog goodies. Reg. online. Rain or shine. Lippold Park Hound Town, 851 Ill. Rt. 176, Crystal Lake, Crystal Lake Park District, (815) 459-0680, crystallakeparks.org.

Backpacking Basics
April 7, 7-8:30 p.m. This indoor presentation includes planning a backpacking trip and helping you decide what gear you will need and how to pack it. Ages 10 and up. Reg. online. Lost Valley Visitor Center, Ringwood, (815) 678-4532, mcdistrict.org.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
April 8, 9-10 a.m. Children ages 1-6 decorate their own bunny-face pancake, have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny and finish with the bunny hop. Reg. online. Pottawatomie Community Center, St. Charles, (630) 513-4326, stcparks.org.

Kite Day
April 9, 1-3 p.m. Enjoy a beautiful spring day along the Fox River with your family. Bring a picnic lunch and your favorite kite. Mt. St. Mary Park, Prairie St., east of Ill. Rt. 31, St. Charles, stcparks.org.

French Market
April 14-Nov. 10, Sun. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Fresh food and drinks, flowers, clothing, books, arts and crafts, and jewelry sold by local vendors in the open air. Location: Metra parking lot on the corner of South and 4th Streets, Geneva. Info: genevachamber.com.

Woodland Wandering
April 16, 6-8 p.m. On this 2-mile hike through the woods, catch a glimpse of the birds that are passing through on their migration, and search for those that stay as summer or year-round residents. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them. Glacial Park Conservation Area, 6316 Harts Road, Ringwood, (815) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.

Family Fun Night
April 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Let’s go fly a kite! Bring your own or purchase one on-site for $3. Weather permitting. Chicago Kite performs kite demos; snacks at food trucks. Parade Field, Cantigny Park, Wheaton, (630) 668-5161, cantigny.org.

Turtle Racing & Brew Tasting
April 17, 8-10 p.m. Cheer on your favorite Hickory Knolls turtle as they compete in racing heats and win prizes. Ticket includes races, beer tasting, appetizers and desserts. Reg. online. Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, 3795 Campton Hills Road, St. Charles, (630) 513-4399, stcnature.org.

Craft Like a Pioneer
April 18, 10 a.m.-noon. Here’s your chance to see how the pioneers lived, as you learn how they handcrafted gifts and provisions such as dipped candles. Colonel Palmer House, Crystal Lake, (815) 477-5873, crystallakeparks.org.

Civil War Sons
April 19, noon-4 p.m. Visit the Greek Revival 1854 restored house and learn more about the resident families who called this area home. April’s open house centers around the Powers family and their two sons who served in the Union army. Glacial Park Conservation Area, Ringwood, (815) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.

Farm Fitness Relay Day
April 18, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Test your farm strength and get your heart rate rising across a one-mile relay course with farmyard obstacles. Enjoy healthy snacks and hydrate with family and friends after the course. Primrose Farm, St. Charles, (630) 513-6200, stcparks.org.

The Amazing Race: St. Charles
April 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Teams of 2-4 participants (one of whom must be 16 or older) use clues to race around St. Charles performing mental and physical challenges that require brainstorming, communication, strategy and teamwork. Age 10 & up. Reg. req. Starts at Baker Community Center, 101 S. 2nd St., St. Charles, (630) 513-4329, stcparks.org.

Magic Class
April 20, 6:45-7:40 p.m. Budding magicians ages 5-12 learn a collection of tricks involving cards, ropes, coins, mind-reading and more. Materials provided as well as a magic kit to take home. Reg. online. Rotary Building at Veteran Acres, Crystal Lake, (815) 477-5873, crystallakeparks.org.

Spring Wildflower Walk
April 22, 3-4:30 p.m. Take in the beauty of the woodlands as colorful wildflowers herald spring on a 1.5-mile hike; enjoy stories and folklore about our native flowers. Coral Woods, Marengo, (815) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.

County Line Dance
April 24, 2-4 p.m. Dancers 55 years and up enjoy an afternoon learning the moves for line dancing to favorite country songs from every generation. Refreshments included. Reg. online. Crystal Lake Park District, Grand Oaks, Crystal Lake, (815) 459-0680, crystallakeparks.org.