Thomas Ford Memorial Library

Summer gardens and local Farmer's Markets are bountiful with fresh vegetables and fruits just waiting to be explored. Chef Maddox will demonstrate nourishing and enticing dishes to enjoy over these warm summer months with family and friends. Samples will be available for attendees.

Local Event: Garden to Plate Cooking

Cook County

Western Springs

Illinois

Garden to Plate Cooking

Summer gardens and local Farmer's Markets are bountiful with fresh vegetables and fruits just waiting to be explored. Chef...

1st-4th grade: One of the most recognized icons worldwide, the American flag, has been an incredible inspiration for generations of artists. Join us to review a variety of works before making your own. We’ll use a mix of materials, including paint, markers and collage materials to create your own variation of “Old Glory.”&nbsp;This program&nbsp;is made possible by our Summer Reading signature sponsor, the Thomas Ford Library Foundation.

Local Event: Stars + Stripes Forever: Process Art Workshop

Stars + Stripes Forever: Process Art Workshop

1st-4th grade: One of the most recognized icons worldwide, the American flag, has been an incredible inspiration for...

Tower Green

Children, Families: Join the Library for storytime on the Tower Lawn. In the event of rain or inclement weather, storytime will be cancelled.

Local Event: French Market Storytimes (off-site, drop-in)

French Market Storytimes (off-site, drop-in)

Children, Families: Join the Library for storytime on the Tower Lawn. In the event of rain or inclement weather, storytime will...

Join food preservation expert and cookbook author Emily Paster to learn how to transform vegetables into pickles and preserve them using both fermentation and water-bath canning. Samples will be available for attendees.
Emily will demonstrate three ways to make pickled vegetables: quick or refrigerator pickles, shelf-stable pickling in a vinegar brine using the water-bath canning method, and fermenting vegetables using the alchemy of salt and time to create healthy and delicious foods. Homemade pickles make wonderful gifts, help prevent food waste and enable us to eat more locally and seasonally all year long. This class is perfect for gardeners, as well as farmers’ market and CSA shoppers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Local Event: Pickling Three Ways

Pickling Three Ways

Join food preservation expert and cookbook author Emily Paster to learn how to transform vegetables into pickles and preserve...

2nd-4th graders:&nbsp;Get ready for the 4th of July! Join us as we read the Caldecott Medal winning book Fireworks by Matthew Burgess and do a fireworks craft to take home.

Local Event: CRAFTernoon: Fireworks!

CRAFTernoon: Fireworks!

2nd-4th graders: Get ready for the 4th of July! Join us as we read the Caldecott Medal winning book Fireworks by Matthew...

Teens and Tweens: Join us for bookish talk and dessert! The theme of this month’s book celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States. Copies of the book are available one month before the discussion at the&nbsp;Circulation Desk.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Book: Rebellion 1776&nbsp;&nbsp;by Laurie Halse Anderson

Local Event: Tween Book Club

Tween Book Club

Teens and Tweens: Join us for bookish talk and dessert! The theme of this month’s book celebrates the 250th anniversary of the...

Walker Recreation Center

Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States with a festive evening featuring a Family Fun Area and various food vendors. The event is free to attend, though paid parking passes are required and go on sale starting June 1 through the Pleasantdale Park District.&nbsp;

Local Event: 3rd of July Fireworks

DuPage County

Burr Ridge

3rd of July Fireworks

Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States with a festive evening featuring a Family Fun Area and various food...

Downtown Hinsdale

Join the community for a festive day of patriotism and family fun featuring an annual parade and celebration. Experience an afternoon filled with an arts and craft fair, delicious food vendors, and kids activities at Burlington Park.

Local Event: Hinsdale's 4th of July Parade and “4th for All” Celebration

Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills

Hinsdale's 4th of July Parade and “4th for All”...

Join the community for a festive day of patriotism and family fun featuring an annual parade and celebration. Experience an...

Hinsdale's 4th of July Parade and “4th for All” Celebration

Children: Come to the Youth Services Department to pick up a bag with a craft inside! Crafts are left over from previous programs and are available while supplies last. Which craft will you take home?

Local Event: Mystery Craft Kits

Mystery Craft Kits

Children: Come to the Youth Services Department to pick up a bag with a craft inside! Crafts are left over from previous...

Join Lindsey Daehnke, Founder and Lead Instructor at Strictly Self Defense, as she teaches simple self-defense techniques and personal safety strategies for seniors. Lindsey will discuss effective strikes and escapes, how to create a personal safety plan, and common safety myths. Attendees must sign an electronic waiver to participate.
NOTE: You must register with a valid email address in order to receive the electronic waiver. If you do not receive your registration email, please check your SPAM folder or reach out to the library at <a href="mailto:info@fordlibrary.org">info@fordlibrary.org</a> to have the link resent.
Lindsey Daehnke is the Founder of Strictly Self Defense and offers Trauma Informed Self Defense Workshops throughout Chicagoland. &nbsp;She has been training in the martial arts for more than 26 years. She is a Third Degree Blackbelt in Tang Soo Do and a First Degree Blackbelt in Hapkido. Additionally, Lindsey is trained as a Medical Advocate for Survivors of Sexual Assault. To learn more about Strictly Self Defense, please visit <a href="https://linktr.ee/strictlyselfdefense" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://linktr.ee/strictlyselfdefense</a>.&nbsp;

Local Event: Self Defense for Seniors

Self Defense for Seniors

Join Lindsey Daehnke, Founder and Lead Instructor at Strictly Self Defense, as she teaches simple self-defense techniques and...

Join Lindsey Daehnke, Founder and Lead Instructor at Strictly Self Defense, as she teaches simple self-defense techniques and personal safety strategies for seniors. Lindsey will discuss effective strikes and escapes, how to create a personal safety plan, and common safety myths. Attendees must sign an electronic waiver to participate.
NOTE: You must register with a valid email address in order to receive the electronic waiver. If you do not receive your registration email, please check your SPAM folder or reach out to the library at <a href="mailto:info@fordlibrary.org">info@fordlibrary.org</a> to have the link resent.
Lindsey Daehnke is the Founder of Strictly Self Defense and offers Trauma Informed Self Defense Workshops throughout Chicagoland. &nbsp;She has been training in the martial arts for more than 26 years. She is a Third Degree Blackbelt in Tang Soo Do and a First Degree Blackbelt in Hapkido. Additionally, Lindsey is trained as a Medical Advocate for Survivors of Sexual Assault.
To learn more about Strictly Self Defense, please visit <a href="https://linktr.ee/strictlyselfdefense" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://linktr.ee/strictlyselfdefense</a>.&nbsp;

Unearth your love for science in this fun and interactive S.T.E.M. show for the whole family. With help from audience volunteers, we’ll conduct exciting experiments about the changing states of matter, pressure, and more–while raising a shovel to scientists who work with dirt! If you didn’t already love science, you’ll really “dig it” after seeing Science Heroes in action! This program&nbsp;is made possible by our Summer Reading signature sponsor, the Thomas Ford Library Foundation.

Local Event: Science Heroes: Digging It

Science Heroes: Digging It

Unearth your love for science in this fun and interactive S.T.E.M. show for the whole family. With help from audience...

Virtual Program via Thomas Ford Memorial Library

This is a virtual class led by Kristyn Slick. A recording will be emailed to all registrants after the program. Even if you are unable to attend the live event, please register if you would like to receive the recording.&nbsp;
Celebrate summer with a laid-back, flavor-packed shrimp boil featuring bold spices, tender shrimp, and classic accompaniments. We’ll also talk about variations, make-ahead tips, and how to turn this meal into an easy tradition.

Local Event: Classroom Kitchen: Southern Shrimp Boil

Classroom Kitchen: Southern Shrimp Boil

This is a virtual class led by Kristyn Slick. A recording will be emailed to all registrants after the program. Even if you are...

No charge, no registration: all knitters and crafters are welcome for conversation and inspiration.&nbsp;

Local Event: Knitting Circle

Knitting Circle

No charge, no registration: all knitters and crafters are welcome for conversation and inspiration. 

Vahid, a former political prisoner, encounters a man he suspects to be Eghbal, a notoriously brutal guard who tortured him. Vahid wants to take justice into his own hands—but does he have the right man?

Local Event: Film Discussion: It Was Just an Accident (2025)

Film Discussion: It Was Just an Accident (2025)

Vahid, a former political prisoner, encounters a man he suspects to be Eghbal, a notoriously brutal guard who tortured him....

Tweens-Adults: The Western Springs Writers' Society welcomes all writers from the community to discuss and hone their craft with other local writers. Whether this is your career or hobby, writers of all levels and genres are invited. Questions in advance? Please contact Jim Swinehart at jrswinehart10@gmail.com.

Local Event: Western Springs Writers' Society

Western Springs Writers' Society

Tweens-Adults: The Western Springs Writers' Society welcomes all writers from the community to discuss and hone their craft...

Children, Families: Starr Chief Eagle will provide an interactive and educational dive into Lakota Culture that will explore the language, art, and knowledge of Lakota people. During her presentation she will perform the rare tradition of Hoop Dancing in which she uses up to 22 hoops to create several designs, shapes, and creatures to tell a story. Starr Chief Eagle will call on volunteers from the audience to participate in the dancing. This program&nbsp;is made possible by our Summer Reading signature sponsor, the Thomas Ford Library Foundation

Local Event: Cultural Presentation with Hoop Dance Performance

Cultural Presentation with Hoop Dance Performance

Children, Families: Starr Chief Eagle will provide an interactive and educational dive into Lakota Culture that will explore...

St. Spyridon Greek Festival! OPA!!

St. Spyridon Greek Festival! OPA!
12307 S Ridgeland Ave, Palos Heights, IL, 60463Festival times
·&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; July 11,&nbsp; Saturday: 1pm-10pm
·&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; July 12,&nbsp; Sunday: 12pm-10pm
Authentic Greek Cuisine, and Homemade Greek Pastries!
Souvlaki, Greek Chicken, Gyros, Spanakopita, Tyropita, Greek Fries and more.
Pastries: Baklava, Diples, Kourambiedes, Melomakarona, Koulouria, Kataifi and much more.
Best of all "Loukoumades" is a dough fried in oil and dipped in a honey/sugar syrup sprinkled with cinnamon.
<a href="https://www.Saint-Spyridn.net" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>
Greek Music &amp; Dancing by DJ Nikita!
Greek Dance Troupe Performances each night at 7:30P.M.
Admission: Adults $2.00 Children under 12 Free·&nbsp;
Free Parking and Shuttle from;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Shuttle Sat/Sun 3PM-11PM.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Marist SportsPlex: 12221 S Ridgeland Ave, Palos Heights, IL 60463
·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; St Mary Orthodox church: 6330 W 127th St, Palos Heights, IL 60463
Description of items on our website: <a href="https://www.Saint-Spyridn.net" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Saint-Spyridn.net</a>

Local Event: 12307 S Ridgeland Ave, Palos Heights, IL, 60463

Beverly-MtGreenwood

12307 S Ridgeland Ave, Palos Heights, IL, 60463

St. Spyridon Greek Festival! OPA!
12307 S Ridgeland Ave, Palos Heights, IL, 60463Festival times
·        July 11,  Saturday:...

Come join our Mah Jongg group for a relaxed setting to play, knowledge of the game or prior experience required. Players will be sorted by self-ranked skill level and questions are welcome. Sets of tiles and cards will be provided, along with some assistance in game play.&nbsp;

Local Event: Mah Jongg Meet-Up Play

Mah Jongg Meet-Up Play

Come join our Mah Jongg group for a relaxed setting to play, knowledge of the game or prior experience required. Players will...

Local amateur investors meet to discuss trends in investing. For more information, contact George Rotter at <a href="mailto:gfrotter@yahoo.com">gfrotter@yahoo.com</a>.

Local Event: Investment Discussion Group

Investment Discussion Group

Local amateur investors meet to discuss trends in investing. For more information, contact George Rotter at gfrotter@yahoo.com.

Nearby Communities

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Events and Things to Do in Western Springs, IL

Friday, July 3

3rd of July Fireworks

JUL

3

5:30 PM

Walker Recreation Center, 7425 S Wolf Rd, Burr Ridge, IL

Saturday, July 4

Hinsdale's 4th of July Parade and “4th for All” Celebration

JUL

4

10:00 AM

Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills, IL

Also around town...

Please confirm event details with the organizers before attending

Monday, June 29

Tuesday, June 30

Wednesday, July 1

Thursday, July 2

Friday, July 3

Saturday, July 4

Monday, July 6

Tuesday, July 7

Wednesday, July 8

Thursday, July 9

Friday, July 10

Sunday, July 12

Monday, July 13

Tuesday, July 14

3rd of July Fireworks

Hinsdale's 4th of July Parade and “4th for All” Celebration