Recreation opportunities abound in our region! Here are a few of the best our area has to offer.
May
48th Annual Fair Diddley Craft Show
May 15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Featuring more than 300 artists and crafters, sponsored by the Mental Health Resource League McHenry County. All proceeds benefit county agencies concerned with mental health services. Historic Woodstock Square, Woodstock, (815) 385-5745, mhrl.org.
Spring Bird Walk: Ryerson Woods
May 15, 18 & 22, 7-9 a.m. May is the month for songbirds, so join skilled birders on these guided walks. Binoculars encouraged. Ryerson Woods Conservation Area, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods, (847) 968-3321, lcfpd.org.
Prairie Path Prowl
May 19, 6-8:30 p.m. Meet volunteer birding expert Dave Miller for an early evening walk along the Prairie Trail. Search for birds that are native to this area and enjoy a scenic stroll covering 1-2 miles. Glacial Park Conservation Area, 6316 Harts Road, Ringwood, (815) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.
Civil War Days
May 21-22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Battle re-enactments 2:30 p.m. each day. More than 300 re-enactors camp on site; demos of 19th century medical techniques; food; shopping. Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville, (630) 420-6010, napersettlement.org.
Long Grove Chocolate Festival
May 20-22, 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Chocolate in all its many forms; live entertainment throughout the village; shopping; food; specialty vendors. Historic Long Grove Village, (847) 634-0888, visitlonggrove.com.
Swing Into Summer Barn Dance
May 21, 6-10 p.m. Experience a traditional 1930s barn dance, complete with swing music and dance lessons. Primrose Farm, St. Charles Park District, 5N726 Crane Road, St. Charles, (630) 513-4370, stcparks.org.
Dash for the Dogs
May 22, 7 a.m. check-in; 9 a.m. start. Run/walk a 5K or 1-mile course alongside leashed buddies to help raise funds for the Animal House Shelter in the 6th annual event. Citizens Park, 511 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington. Info: (847) 961-5541, animalhouseshelter.com
Rare Breeds Show
May 22, 11 a.m. Breeders from around the Midwest display livestock. Individual breeders may offer livestock, poultry and byproducts for sale. Garfield Farm Museum, 3N016 Garfield Road, LaFox, (630) 584-8485, garfieldfarm.org.
39th Annual Elgin Valley Fox Trot
May 28, 7:30 a.m.-noon. 6:30 a.m. registration. 10-mile/5k run/2-mile fun walk, cash prizes, CARA-endorsed. Proceeds benefit 25 local nonprofits. Race start: Intersection of Kimball & Douglas, Elgin. Info: (847) 531-7005, cityofelgin.org/foxtrot.
June
Craft Brew Crawl
June 1, 7-9 p.m. Join a hike through Glacial Park and make several stops to taste micro-brews from local breweries. Start at Lost Valley Lobby, Lost Valley Visitor Center, Ill. Rt. 31 & Harts Road, Ringwood, (815) 678-4532, mccdistrict.org.
Kane County Flea Market
June 4-5, July 2-3, Aug. 6-7, Sat. noon-5 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Up to 1,000 dealers display and sell antiques and collectibles. A country breakfast is served on Sundays. Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles, (847) 358-1185, kanecountyfair.com.
Harvard Milk Days
June 2-5, events daily. This tribute to farming heritage includes a 10k run, antique tractor show, carnival, milk-drinking contest, cow chip lotto, Milky Way parade, more. Downtown Harvard, (815) 943-4614, milkdays.com.
Festival of the Fox
June 9-12, events daily. Annual event featuring the ancient sport of dragon boat racing, a 40-ton Fantasy Sand Sculpture, water ski shows, carnival, petting zoo, and an assortment of events and entertainment for all ages. Pottawatomie Park, 8 N. Ave., St. Charles, (630) 444-7460, festivalofthefox.com.
Bubbling Bobolinks
June 16, 6-8:30 p.m. Join resident bird expert Dave Miller for an evening walk in search of grassland birds at Glacial Park. Listen for the bubbling calls of the bobolink along the way. Start at Kettle Parking Lot, Glacial Park Conservation Area, Ringwood, (815) 479-5779, mccdistrict.org.
Weekend of Restoration
June 17-19. Join a team and plant emergent vegetation along the shorelines of the creek; learn about the natural history of the restoration project and streams. Camping at Glacial Park is free with this event. Lost Valley Overlook & Savanna Conference Room, Lost Valley Visitor Center, Ringwood, (815) 678-4532, mccdistrict.org.
Family Canoe Trip
June 19 & 25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Spend a day paddling 7 miles of Nippersink Creek within the undeveloped areas of Glacial Park. Keystone Landing, Nippersink Canoe Trail, Spring Grove, (815) 678-4532, mccdistrict.org.
Barrington Country Garden & Antique Faire
June 17-18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit the grounds and gardens of three Barrington-area estates for inspiration, shopping and leisure. Gifts, garden accessories, designer vignettes, food, free shuttle service. Benefits Barrington-based charity Hands of Hope. Info: (847) 381-7367, handsofhopeonline.org.
Swedish Days
June 21-26, events daily. Annual heritage celebration, with live entertainment, carnival, children’s activities, parade, Sweden Väst, food, shopping, more. Downtown Geneva. Info: Geneva Chamber of Commerce, (630) 232-6060, genevachamber.com.
Craft Beer Festival
June 25, 1-5 p.m. Sip on local favorites and explore new beers from more than 40 breweries while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of The Morton Arboretum. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Ill. Rt. 53, Lisle, (630) 968-0074, mortonarb.org.
Long Grove Summer Festival
June 24-26. Enjoy three days of live entertainment, activities, children’s rides, vendors, food, more. Historic Long Grove Village, (847) 634-0888, visitlonggrove.com.
32nd Annual America’s Cardboard Cup Regatta
June 27, 9 a.m. Build A Boat on Site and other categories; trophies; fun for the entire family. Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake. Info: (815) 459-0680, cardboardcup.com.