8 not-to-miss September festivals
September is a weird time of year, when summer is kind of over, but not quite, and fall is kind of here, but not really.
Usually, though, it's a time when the weather is near-perfect, with a warm sun and cool breezes.
It's also an ideal time for festivals that get you outside before things really start to change.
Here's a quick look at eight celebrations you'll want to put on your calendar ...
• OK, we admit it, we're cheating just a little here because the Naperville Jaycees' Last Fling actually opens on Aug. 31 in the city's downtown. One of the suburbs' biggest bashes of the year, it features music (Cheap Trick and Lucky Boys Confusion on Sept. 2), a carnival, mile and 5K runs and even a Labor Day parade. It runs from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, along Jefferson Avenue, west of Washington Street. Free admission. www.lastfling.org.
• Talk about big parties, Schaumburg's Septemberfest usually draws about 250,000 people over four days. This year's fest, the 48th annual, runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2; and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, at the Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center grounds, 101 Schaumburg Court. There's music on three stages (7th heaven, Maddie & Tae), fireworks, a Taste of Schaumburg and carnival rides. Free admission. www.septemberfest.org.
• You don't have to wait for St. Patrick's Day to celebrate Irish culture, especially in Long Grove, where Irish Days takes center stage from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, throughout the historic downtown at 308 Old McHenry Road. There's music, food, beer and a bunch of people wearing green. Free admission. longgrove.org/festivals/irish-days/.
• If you had a hammer you'd probably hammer in the morning and then head over to the Fox Valley Folk Festival in Geneva. The 42nd annual party features concerts, storytelling, instrument and vocal lessons, workshops, craft demonstrations, a barn dance, a "Ghost Stories" program and more. It runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Sept. 2 and 3, at Island Park, 2 E. State St. It's free with donations to Fox Valley Folk Society; otherwise it's $20 for general admission, $15 for teens and seniors, and free for kids 12 and younger. www.foxvalleyfolk.com.
• Four days of dance, comedy, drama and music will be presented in cafes, theaters, storefronts and more during the Elgin Fringe Festival on Sept. 7 and 8 and 12 and 13 at spots throughout downtown Festival buttons for entrance to most shows will be available for purchase at www.elginfringefestival.com.
• Winfield's Good Old Days celebration runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6; 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, at the southeast corner of Beecher Avenue and Church Road, Winfield. The fest features a bags tournament, games, kids' activities, a beer tent and a parade on Sunday. Admission is free. www.westerndupagechamber.com.
• You can check out restaurants, enjoy wine tastings, listen to music and visit an arts and crafts show during the Festival of the Vine from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 7 and 8, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, around Fourth and State streets in downtown Geneva. Admission is free, but there are charges for wine and food tastings. www.genevachamber.com.
• Roughly 45 artists who work in a variety of media will be displaying their works during the Mundelein Arts Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 8 and 9, at Kracklauer Park, 100 N. Seymour Ave. The festival also highlights artwork by students from Carmel Catholic and Mundelein High School. Free admission.