Cheap fun: Greek fest, racing Dachshunds, Frontier Days

$10 and under Greek FestSt. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church in Palatine hosts its Greek Fest 2010. Celebrate Greek heritage with homemade Greek foods, music and dancing. Other highlights include children's activities, vendors and a raffle.4 p.m. to midnight Friday, June 25; 3 p.m. to midnight Saturday, June 26; 3 to 11 p.m. Sunday, June 27, at St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church, 133 S. Roselle Road, Palatine. Admission is $2. Kids under 12 are free. (847) 358-5170 or stnectariosgoc.org.'Camp Glee: Songs of Summer'The Children's Theatre of Elgin and Fox Valley Theatre Company present their annual musical revue, "Camp Glee: Songs of Summer." 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 25, and Saturday, June 26 and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 27, at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $10. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu or elgin.edu/arts.Dachshund DerbyDachshunds, basset hounds and corgis are invited to participate in the fundraising Dachshund Derby race on Sunday, June 27, at Petland in Round Lake Beach. Proceeds will go to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Along with the derby, dogs of all breeds are invited to put on their finest for the Doggie Dress-up Contest, running in conjunction with the derby. Prizes will be awarded to dogs in multiple categories.Registration for both events begin at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 27, at Petland, 815 E. Rollins Road, Round Lake Beach. Events begin at 11 a.m. $5 to enter a dog in the derby. A minimum $1 donation is requested to participate in the costume contest. (847) 223-7900.Free Jimmy jamsFolk and blues performer Jimmy Liggett presents a concert at the Beans Leaves Coffee Tea Cafe in Long Grove. 3 p.m. Friday, June 25, at Beans Leaves Coffee Tea Cafe, 320 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Free. (847) 821-0011.Allstar Weekend at the TasteRadio Disney presents the pop/rock group Allstar Weekend and singer Emily Osment (of television's "Hannah Montana") in a free concert at Chicago's annual Taste of Chicago. Allstar Weekend will perform some of its hits, along with the group's newest single release, "Dance Forever," 3 p.m. Sunday, June 27, at the Taste of Chicago, Grant Park, Michigan Avenue and Congress Drive, Chicago. Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, June 25, to Friday, July 2; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 3; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 4. Free general admission. There is a charge for food tickets. Visit tasteofchicago.us. (312) 744-3315.'The Heretic's Daughter' discussionThe public is invited to a free discussion of the book "The Heretic's Daughter" by Kathleen Kent. The book tells the story of Martha Carrier, one of the first women to be accused, tried and hanged as a witch in 1692 Salem, Mass. The story is told from the perspective of Carrier's daughter, Sarah.7 p.m. Monday, June 28, in the Stokes Room of the Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church, 1025 N, Smith Road, Palatine. Free. Participants are asked to use the church's north entrance. (847) 359-8440.Heading to the 'Frontier'The annual Arlington Heights Frontier Days features the Taste of Arlington, carnival rides, live entertainment on three stages, Battle of the Bands, a crafts fair and parade.Runs 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday, July 1; 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 2; noon to Midnight Saturday, July 3, and Sunday, July 4; and noon to 10 p.m. Monday, July 5, at Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights. Parade at 10 a.m. Monday, July 5. Free admission. Go to frontierdays.org for full schedule.Fairs and festivals61st Midsommar Festival, Swedish Days, Routes 38 and 3rd Street, Geneva: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, to Saturday, June 26; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 27. Music, food, crafts, Kids' Day, green expo, parades and entertainment. Free. (866) 443-6382 or genevachamber.com.Alpine Amusements Carnival, Ross Ferraro Town Center, Gary Avenue and Lies Road, Carol Stream: 6 to 10 p.m. June 24; 6 to 11 p.m. June 25; 1 to 11 p.m. June 26, and noon to 10 p.m. June 27. Free rides for people with mental and physical disabilities from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Free admission; tickets for rides. (630) 665-7050 or carolstream.org.Arlington Heights Frontier Days, Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights: Thursday through Monday, July 1-5. 5 to 11 p.m. July 1, 5 p.m. to midnight July 2, noon to midnight July 3 and 4 and noon to 10 p.m. July 5. Taste of Arlington, carnival, games, live entertainment on three stages, Battle of the Bands and more. Shuttle service from downtown Arlington Heights. Crafts fair 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 3 and 4. Parade 10 a.m. July 5. Free admission. Go to frontierdays.org.Arlington Heights Promenade of Art, Downtown Arlington Heights, Campbell Street and Vail Avenue, Arlington Heights: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 26 and 27. Free. amdurproductions.com.Barrington Fourth of July Festival, Barrington Train Station, 201 S. Spring Street, Barrington: Runs Wednesday, June 30, through Saturday, July 3, in the north commuter lot. 5 to 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 30; 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. July 1 and 2; 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. July 3. Live entertainment, games, food vendors. Admission is free until 6 p.m. Admission after 6 is $5 for adults; $1 for ages 14 to 17, and free for children under 13. (847) 304-3400 or barrington4thofjuly.com. Barrington Cruise Night, Barrington Harris Bank Parking Lot, 201 S Grove Ave., Barrington: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 1. Classic cars, music, local food, ice cream, giveaways. Free admission. (847) 304-3479.Bartlett Fourth of July Festival, at Stearns and South Bartlett roads, Bartlett: 5 to 11 p.m., Thursday, July 1; noon to 11 p.m., Friday, July 2; 1 to 11 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, July 3 and 4. Free admission. Visit bartlettlions.org and bartlett4thofjuly.com.Bartlett Summer Festival For the Arts, near Main and Railroad avenues, Bartlett: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, June 26-27. Juried fine arts and crafts in a variety of media. Free admission. (630) 372-4152.Church of the Holy Spirit's 33rd Annual Family Fest, Church of the Holy Spirit, 1451 W. Bode Road, Schaumburg: Carnival rides, international food booths, games, cash bingo, live entertainment. 6 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, June 25; 4 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, June 26; noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, June 27. Free admission. There is a charge for carnival rides and some other activities. (847) 882-7580 or churchoftheholyspirit.org.Greek Fest 2010, St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church, 133 S. Roselle Road, Palatine: Homemade Greek foods, Greek music and dancing, children's activities, vendors and a raffle. 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, June 25; 3 p.m. to midnight Saturday, June 26; 3 to 11 p.m. Sunday, June 27. Admission is $2. Kids under 12 are free. Visit stnectariosgoc.org. (847) 358-5170 or stnectariosgoc.org.Hoffman Estates Fourth of July Festival, Hoffman Estates Village Hall, 1900 Hassell Road, Hoffman Estates: Thursday, July 1, through Monday, July 5, on Village Hall grounds. Free admission. Entertainment, carnival, parade, fireworks, food. Free parking at ADP building and Muir School. (847) 252-5446.Hoffman Estates Arts Crafts Fair, Hoffman Estates Police Department, 1200 Gannon Drive, Hoffman Estates: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 26; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 27, on police department grounds. Free parking on site and at Hoffman Estates High School. Free admission. Japan Festival, Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 26; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 27. Traditional Japanese cultural activities including music, dance, martial arts and food. Free admission. Visit japanfest-chicago.org. (847) 508-9001.Lakeside Festival, Lakeside Legacy Arts Park, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake: 4 to 11 p.m. Thursday, July 1, and Friday, July 2; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 3, and Sunday, July 4; and noon to 10 p.m. Monday, July 5. Carnival, food vendors, music, beer and wine garden. Parade at 1 p.m. and fireworks at dusk Monday, July 5. $2-$4. Free for children ages 12 and younger and military personnel with ID. (815) 455-8000 or lakesidelegacy.org.Lisle's Eyes to the Skies, Lisle's Eyes to the Skies Festival, Community Park, 1825 Short St., Lisle: 5 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, and Thursday, July 1 (carnival only); 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 2-4. Hot air balloon rides, crafts, food, carnival, entertainment. Parade at 3:30 p.m. July 4 along Short Street. Fireworks at 9:45 p.m. July 2-4. Daily admission is $5. Free for children under 5. eyestotheskies.org.Long Grove Strawberry Fest, at the crossroads of Old McHenry and Robert Parker Coffin roads, Long Grove: Annual festival features strawberry treats including strawberries dipped in chocolate, smoothies, doughnuts and more. Other highlights include music and kids' rides. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, June 25, through Sunday, June 27. Free admission. (847) 634-0888 or longgroveonline.com.Midsommar Swedish Days Festival, downtown Geneva, around Third and State streets, Geneva: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Sunday, June 27. Features live musical entertainment, food, carnival rides, arts and crafts, a "green" expo and other family activities. Free general admission. Some fees do apply for food, rides and other activities. (630) 232-6060 or genevachamber.com. Mount Prospect Bluesmobile Cruise Night, Mount Prospect Metra station, southwest corner of Northwest Highway and Route 83, Mount Prospect: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 26. Themed classic car nights. downtownmountprospect.com. Mount Prospect Lions' Village Fair, Melas Park, Busse and Central roads, Mount Prospect: Wednesday, June 30, to Sunday, July 4. Carnival, live entertainment, games and Taste of Mount Prospect featuring the area's restaurants. experiencemountprospect.org. Naperville Exchange Club Ribfest, Knoch Park, West Street and Martin Avenue, Naperville: Bands, carnival rides and ribs. Noon to 10 p.m. July 1-4. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. July 4. $9 in advance and $12 at the gate; free for children ages 11 and younger. Visit ribfest.net.Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest, Community Park, Palatine Road near Hicks Road, Palatine: Thursday, July 1, through Monday, July 5. 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 1; noon to midnight July 2-4; noon to 5 p.m. July 5. Arts and crafts fair, food vendors, carnival, live entertainment, corn hole tournament. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, July 4. Go to palatinejaycees.org. Prospect Heights Summerfest Block Party, Lions Park, 110 W. Camp McDonald Road, Prospect Heights: 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, June 26. Live entertainment, food vendors, beer garden, silent auction, carnival games, inflatables and free evening swim in Lions Pool. Admission free. (847) 398-6070 or prospect-heights.il.us.Taste of Chicago, Grant Park, Michigan Avenue and Congress Drive, Chicago: Food and musical entertainment. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, June 25, to Friday, July 2; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 3; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 4. Free admission. There is a charge for food tickets. Visit tasteofchicago.us. (312) 744-3315.Taste of Lombard, Madison Meadow Park, Madison Street and Edgewood Avenue, Lombard: 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 1; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 2; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 3, and Sunday, July 4. Carnival, food, entertainment, fireworks and more. $2 for ages 13 and older. (630) 375-7474 or tasteoflombard.com or lombardparks.com.Waukegan's American Independence Festivities, Bowen Park, 39 Jack Benny Drive, Waukegan: 2:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 27. Includes music, skate park expo, food vendors, arts and crafts, children's games, petting zoo and more. Free. Go to waukeganparks.org.False12791754A Frisbee contest for dogs is part of the fun at Frontier Days in Arlington Heights.Daily Herald file photoFalse