Cheap stuff: Dog Days of Dundee, Kite Fest, pioneer day

Free Dog Days of DundeeDogs and their human companions can enjoy some quality time together at the Dog Days of Dundee event in West Dundee. Activities include contests, demonstrations, music, kids' activities, rescue groups and specialty vendors. Donations of canned or boxed food, blankets and money will be accepted to help animals in need at local shelters and rescue groups. All pets must be on a leash, under control of the owner and be current on all vaccinations including rabies.Info: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at Randall Oaks Park, 17N350 Randall Road, West Dundee. Free admission. (847) 428-7131 or dtpd.org.Let's go fly a kite!Watch stunt kites and dancing kites at the annual Kite Fest 2010. Guests can see kites in all shapes and sizes; even a five-story barrel kite is featured. Watch the show, bring your own kite, make a kite or buy a kite at the fest. Bring a chair for seating. Other highlights include raffles and food.Info: Runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, at Northern Illinois University, at Lucinda Avenue and Kishwaukee Drive, DeKalb. Free admission. There is a charge for raffles and food. (815) 756-1336 or dekalbareacvb.com.Small stadiumsBaseball enthusiast, vintage ballplayer and historian Bill Rose will display more than 50 miniature baseball stadiums from his collection. The miniatures range from America's oldest stadiums to modern ball parks. Rose is a member of the Somonauk Blue Stocking vintage baseball team, and has collected miniature stadiums since the early 1990s. The event is part of Geneva's annual Festival of the Vine.Info: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, at the Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St., Geneva. Free admission. (630) 232-4951.Family Fun DayStep back in time at the Pioneer Sholes School's Family Fun Day. Activities for the entire family include docent-led tours of the restored one-room schoolhouse and performances by professional storyteller Camille Born. Visitors can take part in old-fashioned spelling bees, make crafts and play games including marbles and drop-the-clothespin-in-the-bottle. Refreshments will be available.Info: Runs 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, at the Pioneer Sholes School, in the LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, off Dean Street, north of 64, west of Randall Road, St. Charles. Free admission. (630) 762-9746.$10 and under 'Handicap This!'Mike Berkson of Glenview, a 21-year-old performer living with cerebral palsy, and his personal aide, Tim Wambach, bring their true-life adventures to the stage in "Handicap This!" The program looks at breaking down barriers, living with disabilities and friendship. Info: 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, and Saturday, Sept. 11; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, at the Footlik Theater at Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. General admission is $10; $8 for students; $6 for groups of 12 or more. (847) 635-1900 or handicapthis.com.Quilts and more quiltsThe Bloomingdale Park District Museum hosts its Annual Quilt Exhibit. The Midwest Meditations Quilt Group and the Studio Art Quilt Associates will display more than 65 quilts in two galleries.Info: Runs Saturday, Sept. 11, through Sunday, Oct. 24, at the Bloomingdale Park District Museum, 108 S. Bloomingdale Road, Bloomingdale. A complimentary reception runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19. Most of the artists will be present at the reception to discuss their work. Admission to the exhibit is $1-$5.50. Exhibit hours are 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. (630) 539-3096 or bloomingdaleparks.org.Scandinavian Day FestTraditional Scandinavian food, music, cultural displays, children's games and crafts are all part of South Elgin's annual Scandinavian Day Fest.Info: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, at Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin. $10 adults; free for kids 12 and younger. Free parking. (847) 695-6720 or vasaparkil.com.Fairs and festivalsSeventh Annual Family Freedom Festival, Barrington Metra Train Station, 201 S. Spring Street, corner of Main and Spring streets, Barrington: Runs noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11. Features the 9.11 Mile Freedom Run, musical entertainment and a food and beer garden. Admission is free. For details, call or go to we-do-care.org. (847) 381-7797.15th Fox Valley Irish Festival, St. Catherine of Siena, 845 W. Main St., West Dundee: Irish music and dancing, food, best of Irish culture. 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10; 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, and 11:30 a.m. for Mass, 1 to 7 p.m. for Fest Sunday, Sept. 12. "Irish Idol" from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12. $8; two-day pass $13; three-day pass $20. Children under 12 free with a paid adult; senior citizens $6. Admission free on Sunday with canned good donation for FISH Pantry for those who attend 11:30 a.m. Mass. Visit foxvalleyirishfest.com.Antioch Arts and Craft Faire, on Toft Street and in the adjoining parking lot, Antioch: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12. At least 150 booths, with crafters from around the country. Visit antiochchamber.org.An Art Affair Around the Square, Towne Square, Palatine Road and Smith Street, Palatine: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, and Sunday, Sept. 12. Sponsored by the Palatine/Inverness Arts Council. Arts and crafts on display. Free. Visit palatineinvernessarts.org. British Car Festival, Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12. Sponsored by the British Car Union, a not-for-profit organization of a dozen Chicago area British car clubs. Cars range in age from 1928 to present. $20 early registration; $25 on day of event. Visit britishcarunion.com.Bureau County Homestead Festival, downtown Princeton, Princeton: 39th Festival and Pork Days celebration Friday, Sept. 10, to Sunday, Sept. 12. Features a pulled pork BBQ dinner and ice cream social, trolley ride, children's fun fair, car show, craft show, talent show, entertainment and more. Parade steps off down Main Street at 1:30 Saturday, Sept. 12. Helicopter rides from noon to sunset Saturday; $30 per person. Visit homesteadfestival.com.Celtic Celebration at Arlington Park, Arlington Park, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12. Gates open at 11:15 a.m. Celtic-themed celebration featuring Irish dancers, cultural music, activities and food and an unofficial "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day." $6 online; $8 at the gate. (847) 385-7500 arlingtonpark.com.Duck Pluck 2010, Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave., Elgin: 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11. Fundraiser benefits Boys and Girls Club of Elgin. 10,000 rubber ducks will be placed in the fountain at Festival Park. Twenty little "duck pluckers" will run into the fountain to select the winning duck. Free. Duck adoptions are $10 each. elginducks.com.Fall Harvest, Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora: Discover how the pioneers of yesteryear lived. Live music by singer/songwriter Chris Vallillo from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12. $3.75-$7. (630) 892-1550 or foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.Family Fall Fest, Lions Park, 1200 Silver Lake Road, Cary: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11. Hayrides, pony rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, crafts and more. $8 per child, age 3 and older; $4 per child, age 1 to 2. Free for adults. Visit carypark.com.Family Fun Day, Pioneer Sholes School, in the LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, off Dean Street, north of 64, west of Randall Road, St. Charles: Activities for the entire family include professional storyteller Camille Born. Docents will be on hand to give tours of the restored one-room schoolhouse. Take part in old-fashioned spelling bees, make crafts and participate in outdoor games. Refreshments served. Runs 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12. (630) 762-9746.Festival of the Vine, downtown Geneva, around Third and State streets, Geneva: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, and Saturday, Sept. 11; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12. Sample international flavors by Geneva restaurateurs, enjoy wine tastings, arts and crafts show, grape stomping, games, live music. Free admission. Charge for wine and food tastings. Visit genevachamber.com.Fox River Grove Lions Fest, Lions Park, 100 Beachway Drive, Fox River Grove: Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11. Community picnic featuring food, games, concerts and more. Free. Visit frglionsclub.org.German American Fest, Lincoln Plaza, Lincoln, Leland and Western Avenue, Chicago: Runs 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept, 11; noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12. Features German music, food and parade. The 45th Von Steuben Parade runs at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11. (630) 653-3018 or germanday.com.Harvest Fest, Yesterday's Farm Museum, 850 N. Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 12. Craft fair, music, pony rides, petting zoo, historical re-enactors, corn roast and more. Free; donations accepted. (630) 595-8777.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, Sept. 11. Themed classic car night in downtown Mount Prospect. Visit downtownmountprospect.com. Picnic, Plein Air and Pastimes, Arlington Heights Historical Museum and Heritage Gallery, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12. Features old-fashioned games and entertainment. Free. Visit ahpd.org or ahmuseum.org.Scandinavian Day Festival, Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12. Traditional food, cultural displays, children's games, crafts, Scandinavian music and more. $10 adults; free for kids 12 and younger. Free parking. (847) 695-6720 or vasaparkil.com.Ukrainian Village Fest, Ukrainian Village, 750 N. Oakley Blvd., Chicago: Features beer garden, ethnic food, games, dance ensembles, music, children's activities and outdoor dancing under a tent. 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday Sept. 11; 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12. Admission is $5. (312) 829-5209.False13332000Watch stunt kites soar or make your own at the annual Kite Fest at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. False