Wednesday Weekend Windup {Labor Day Weekend Family Fun}

How is it possible that Labor Day is here already? At least we can soften the blow with some fun family events! Here are my pick for this weekend:

Ongoing:

• April 8-September 25 Ribbit! The Exhibit, Morton Arboretum, Lisle, 23 larger-than-life copper frog sculptures of frogs performing different activities throughout the arboretum, free with admission, $14 Adults ages 18–64, $12 Seniors ages 65+ , $9 Youth ages 2–17 (discounted admission on Wednesdays)
• May 28-Sept 5 Butterflies and Blooms opens at Chicago Botanic Garden, 10AM-5PM, enjoy immersing yourself in the live butterfly exhibit, adults $6, seniors $5, kids $4 (3-12), 2 and under free, discount for members, packs available, $25 parking per car on weekdays, $30 weekends if not members
• July 9-Labor Day Bristol Renaissance Faire, Bristol, WI, Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day, see website for schedule and tickets

Thurday, September 1:

• September 1-5 Buffalo Grove Days, Buffalo Grove, entertainment, carnival, craft fair and more, see schedule

Friday, September 2:

• September 2-5 Last Fling, Naperville, live music, family fun land, carnival, parade, check website for more details and ticket prices, entertainment stage is free
• September 2-4 Harvard Hot Air Balloon Fest, balloon flights Fri, Sat and Sun evenings and Sat & Sun mornings, glows each evening, $5 per car, $10 for oversized vehicles, weather permitting, see website for more details, times, etc., bring your lawn chair and blanket
• Also, Buffalo Grove Days.

Saturday, September 3:

• September 3 Bird Walk, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest, 10AM, all levels of birding experience welcome, a few binoculars are available to borrow, free
• September 3-4 Country Fair, Kline Creek Farm, West Chicago, 10AM-4PM, enjoy an old fashioned country fair, free admission
• September 3-5 Irish Days, Long Grove, Irish Dancing, Music, Gaelic Heritage tent, food, Irish Days Dog Competition, find a leprechaun and more, see schedule
• September 3-4 Civil War Encampment, Graue Mill, Oak Brook, 11AM-4PM, 10th Illinois Regiment and their families depict what life was like in a Union military camp, firing demos, drills, cooking and more, free admission
• Also, Buffalo Grove Days, Last Fling and Harvard Hot Air Balloon Fest.

Sunday, September 4:

• September 4-5 Fox Valley Folk Festival, Island Park, Geneva, storytelling, yodeling, concerts, instrument demos, ghost stories, craft demos and more, free admission
• September 4 Stroll Through a September Prairie, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington, 1PM, join us for a 2 mile walk along Phantom Prairie to view goldenrods, sunflowers and more, free
• Also, Buffalo Grove Days, Last Fling, Civil War Encampment, Country Fair, Irish Days and Harvard Hot Air Balloon Fest.

Monday, September 5:

• September 5 Old Fashioned Picnic in the Park, Woodland Trails, Mount Prospect, 10AM-3PM, inflatables, petting zoo, mini golf tourney, kids' craft area, Kids' Coins Splash and more, free admission
• September 5 Creature Feature, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook, 1:30PM, get up close and personal with one of the animals at River Trail, free
• Also, Buffalo Grove Days, Last Fling, Fox Valley Folk Festival and Irish Days.