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Welcome to my Top Picks for the weekend of May 23 through 25, 2014 (with a Monday BONUS!). What’s on my bucket list for this weekend? Plant flowers–barbeque–movie night–pick up Grandma from airport–buy summer essentials–enjoy the retail sales–church–clean and organize–theme park fun and–bargain hunt at neighborhood garage sales. How about you? Whatever is on your list, make sure to spend a few moments this Memorial Day weekend remembering those who have served our country at a great cost to their lives…and then enjoy the holiday’s unofficial summertime kickoff!
In my Top Picks this weekend, see Alpacas from the Muirhead family farm (Elgin); plus, experience South Elgin’s Fox River Trolley Museum’s Trolley Rides, Barrington’s Fine Arts Festival and much more! Best of all, they are all FREE or CHEAP! And if they ask who sent you…tell them The Mommy did!
DISCLAIMER: Although we are careful to report accurate dates and times as they are provided, we realize that sometimes we receive inaccurate information or events may be cancelled. We strongly encourage you to confirm the information before heading out and/or to click the link that is provided for each activity to check the details.
Find out what's happening in St. Charlesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
FRIDAY
Friday, May 23, 2014
Event: Toons Series: “Busytown Mysteries” (Rated G, 68 mins.) (*event repeats Sat., Sun. & Mon.)
Town: Wheaton, IL
Where: Studio Movie Grill, 301 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton
Age: All ages, though geared for the younger set
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Description: Enjoy a family-friendly movie in comfortable seats with the option to buy food
Cost: $2 per person
Information: Web site or 630-480-9557
Friday, May 23, 2014
Event: Mom & Tot Bowling
Town: South Barrington, IL
Where: Pinstripes, 100 W. Higgins Rd., South Barrington
Age: Kids age 6 and under with adult
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon
Description: Kids get to bowl. Easy ball ramp is available to roll the bowling ball down!
Cost: $5 per child. Adult is FREE. Limit of 4 kids per adult.
Information: Web site or 847-844-9300
Friday, May 23, 2014
Event: Tot Time Open Swim
Town: Elgin, IL
Where: The Centre, (Adventure Island Pool) 100 Symphony Way, Elgin
Age: Kids age 6 mos. through five years with adult
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Description: Enjoy an open swim time with your little ones
Cost: $3 (R) or $4 (NR); adult is FREE
Information: Web site or 847-531-7030
SATURDAY
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Event: Meet the Alpacas at the Summer Reading Kickoff
Town: Elgin, IL
Where: Rakow Branch, 2751 W. Bowes Rd., Elgin
Age: All ages
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Meet real alpacas! Hear a local alpaca farmer talk about the care of these animals.
Cost: FREE
Information: Web Site or 847-531-7271
Find out what's happening in St. Charlesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Event: Barrington Art Festival (*event repeats on Sunday)
Town: Barrington, IL
Where: Downtown Barrington at the corner of Cook & Station Streets
Age: All ages
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Description: Enjoy artist booths, youth activities including a spin art machine and graffiti wall, music and food.
Cost: FREE
Information: Web Site or 847-926-4300
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Event: Prairie Arts Festival (*event repeats on Sunday)
Town: Schaumburg, IL
Where: Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, 101 Schaumburg Ct., Schaumburg
Age: All ages
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Description: Artist booths, children’s art activities, entertainment on three stages, food
Cost: FREE
Information: Web Site or 847-895-3600
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Event: Pioneer Farm Baby Animals Event (*repeats Sunday)
Town: Hampshire, IL
Where: Pioneer Farm, 17N400 Big Timber Rd., Hampshire
Age: All ages
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Hold baby lambs, goats, piglet, chicks and calf. Watch sheep being sheared!
Cost: $5 per person; $12 per family of 4; $20 per family of 5
Information: Web Site or 847-683-2863
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Event: Michaels Kids Club Craft Fun
Town: Multiple store locations including: Algonquin, Bloomingdale, Geneva, Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg, IL
Where: Area Michaels Stores
Age: Kids ages 3+
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (30 mins. in length starting every 1/2 hour)
Description: Create a craft!
Cost: $2 per person
Information: Web site
Special Note: It appears that you must now pre-register. Put in your zip code and select a store.
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Event: Hay rides (*repeats Sunday)
Town: Wheaton, IL
Where: Danada Equestrian Center, 3S507 Naperville Rd., Wheaton
Age: All ages
Time: Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Enjoy a horse-drawn hay ride around the property
Cost: $5 per person ages 13 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Cash and checks only.
Information: Web site or (630) 668-6012
Special Note: In the event of severe weather, rides will be canceled.
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Event: Toons Series: “Busytown Mysteries” (Rated G, 68 mins.) (*repeats Sun. & Mon.)
Town: Wheaton, IL
Where: Studio Movie Grill, 301 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton
Age: All ages, though geared for the younger set
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Description: Enjoy a family-friendly movie in luxurious seats with the option to buy food
Cost: $2 per seat
Information: Web site or 630-480-9557
SUNDAY
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Event: Model Railroad Club Train Display
Town: Huntley, IL
Where: Sun City Del Webb, 12880 Del Webb Blvd., Huntley
Age: All ages
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Description: View the Kishwaukee Valley & Eakin Creek Model Railroad Club’s elaborate, fully operating train display
Cost: FREE
Information: Web Site or 847-669-2392
Special Note: Outdoor train display is contingent on weather. Information has been confirmed via phone, since details on Sun City’s web site is minimal (scroll all the way to the bottom). On campus, follow the signs to the trains.
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Event: Barrington Art Festival
Town: Barrington, IL
Where: Downtown Barrington at the corner of Cook & Station Streets
Age: All ages
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Description: Enjoy artist booths, youth activities including a spin art machine and graffiti wall, music and food.
Cost: FREE
Information: Web Site or 847-926-4300
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Event: Prairie Arts Festival
Town: Schaumburg, IL
Where: Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, 101 Schaumburg Ct., Schaumburg
Age: All ages
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Description: Artist booths, children’s art activities, entertainment on three stages, food
Cost: FREE
Information: Web Site or 847-895-3600
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Event: Fox River Trolley Museum (*repeats on Mon.)
Town: South Elgin, IL
Where: Fox River Trolley Museum, 361 S. LaFox St. (Route 31), South Elgin
Age: All ages
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Description: Enjoy a nostalgic trip on an “old-time” trolley. The round-trip takes 30 mins. between Castlemuir (South Elgin) and Blackhawk Station in the Jon Duerr Forest Preserve. The trolley trains operate half hourly between these stations
Cost: $4 adults; $3 seniors (age 65+); $2 kids (age 3 to 11). Kids under age 3 ride FREE.
Information: Web site or (847) 697-4676
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Event: Pioneer Farm Baby Animals Event
Town: Hampshire, IL
Where: Pioneer Farm, 17N400 Big Timber Rd., Hampshire
Age: All ages
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Hold baby lambs, goats, piglet, chicks and calf. Watch sheep being sheared!
Cost: $5 per person; $12 per family of 4; $20 per family of 5
Information: Web Site or 847-683-2863
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Event: Awesome Art Afternoons
Town: St. Charles, IL
Where: Water Street Studios, 117 W. Main St., St. Charles
Age: 3+ with adult; teens welcome
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Art activities including drawing, coloring, pasting or painting
Cost: FREE
Information: Web Site or 630-761-9977
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Event: Hay rides
Town: Wheaton, IL
Where: Danada Equestrian Center, 3S507 Naperville Rd., Wheaton
Age: All ages
Time: Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Description: Enjoy a horse-drawn hay ride around the property
Cost: $5 per person ages 13 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Cash and checks only.
Information: Web site or (630) 668-6012
Special Note: In the event of severe weather, rides will be canceled.
Sunday, May 25, 2014 (*event repeats Mon.)
Event: Toons Series: “Busytown Mysteries” (Rated G, 68 mins.)
Town: Wheaton, IL
Where: Studio Movie Grill, 301 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton
Age: All ages, though geared for the younger set
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Description: Enjoy a family-friendly movie in luxurious seats with the option to buy food
Cost: $2 per person
Information: Web site or 630-480-9557
MONDAY
Monday, May 26, 2014
Event: Toons Series: “Busytown Mysteries” (Rated G, 68 mins.)
Town: Wheaton, IL
Where: Studio Movie Grill, 301 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton
Age: All ages, though geared for the younger set
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Description: Enjoy a family-friendly movie in luxurious seats with the option to buy food
Cost: $2 per person
Information: Web site or 630-480-9557
Monday, May 26, 2014
Event: Fox Valley Trolley Museum
Town: South Elgin, IL
Where: Fox River Trolley Museum, 361 S. LaFox St. (Route 31), South Elgin, IL 60177
Age: All ages
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Description: Enjoy a nostalgic trip on an “old-time” trolley. The round-trip takes 30 mins. between Castlemuir (South Elgin) and Blackhawk Station in the Jon Duerr Forest Preserve. The trolley trains operate half hourly between these stations
Cost: $4 adults; $3 seniors (age 65+); $2 kids (age 3 to 11). Kids under age 3 ride FREE.
Information: Web site or (847) 697-4676
