A Little Time and a Keyboard: Wednesday Weekend Windup {Arts Festivals, Bike Scavenger Hunt, World's Largest BBQ, Pride Parade and More}

Art Festivals and More Weekend Fun in the Chicago Suburbs

Arts Festivals, Bike Scavenger Hunt, World's Largest BBQ, Pride Parade and More

This weekend is pretty packed with family fun! There are quite a few arts events including an opportunities in Evanston and St. Charles to see studios. There will also be a bike scavenger hunt and the World's Largest BBQ! Buffalo Grove will host its first ever Pride Parade. Here are my picks for this weekend -- please also pay attention to weather because it is changeable this time of year:

Ongoing:

March 23 - June 2 Simply Spring: The Butterfly Exhibit at Nicholas Conservatory, Rockford, go early as space is limited, adults $6 (Resident), $8 (Non-Resident), senior $4 (Resident), $6 (Non-Resident), Veterans $4 (Resident), $6 (Non-Resident), ages 5-17 $4 (Resident), $6 (Non-Resident). ages 3-4 $2 (Resident), $3 (Non-Resident), ages 2 and under free ($4 admission on Tropical Tuesdays), enjoy butterflies flying around in a tropical setting without leaving the Midwest!
May 18-September 21 Butterfly House, Peck Farm, Geneva, Mon-Sat 9AM-5PM, Sun 12PM-5PM, closed Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day, $2 pp donation, $5 per family
May 25-September 2 Butterflies and Blooms, Chicago Botanic Garden, 10AM-5PM daily, see website for fees, weather dependent
May 24-September 15 Nature Connects Lego Sculptures by Sean Kenney at The Morton Arboretum, comes with regular admission, see previous post for more details

Thursday, May 30:

May 30 - June 2 Taste of Wheaton, local food, beer garden, art and craft vendors, Art in the Park, live music, a 5K and more, see website for more info and schedule

Friday, May 31:

May 31 End of School Campfire, Vera Meineke Nature Center, Schaumburg, 7:30PM-9PM, bring a blanket or lawn chairs, take a wagon ride through the prairie, roast marshmallows, s'mores kits are available for $1, event is $2 pp

Saturday, June 1:

June 1 Well Batavia, 8AM-1PM, free fitness classes (check online for times and to register), vendors, farmers market
June 1 Bike Scavenger Hunt, Palatine Public Library, 9AM-11:30AM, $10 pp, ride your bike and use clues to discover your town
June 1 Canyon Tour, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, 10AM, must register
June 1-2 Dairy Month, Klein Creek Farm, West Chicago, 10AM-4PM, learn why shorthorn cows were bred, how to milk a cow, why windmills were vital and more, cooking demos on weekend, free,check facebook for up-to-date activity info
June 1 Fine Line Arts Festival, Fine Line Creative Arts Center, St. Charles, 10AM-3PM, live music, demos, local art for sale, create your own art, tours
June 1 Free Trail Walk, Fuller Air Station Prairie, Glenview, 11AM
June 1 Evanston Made, Studio Art Tour, 12PM-5PM, pick up map at Evanston Art Center or see online, rare opportunity to visit area art studios, 4PM-8PM there is a free trolley to take you to art events
June 1 Buffalo Grove Fire Fighters Fire Up Food Truck Festival, Woodland Park, 12PM-4PM

Sunday, June 2:

June 2 Great Midwest Train Show, DuPage County Fair Grounds, Wheaton, 9AM-3PM, $7 per adults, kids ages 12 and under free
June 2 Get Out and Go Treasure Hunt, treasure hunt at Gallery Park and Fuller Air Station Prairie in Glenview, 10AM-3PM, pick up hunt at Park Center 10AM-2PM, free
June 2 Malott Japanese Garden Family Sundays, Chicago Botanic Garden, 10AM-4PM, make Japanese kites, free, parking is $30 per car for Chicago Botanic Garden (free for members), there also will be family drop-in activities at the Regenstein Family Campus
June 2 Buffalo Grove Pride Parade, 10AM-12PM, over 80 organizations with floats, trolleys, walkers and more
June 2 Uniquely Us, Rylko Park, Buffalo Grove, 12PM-4PM, immediately after the Buffalo Grove Pride Parade, live music, vendors, business expo, food for purchase
June 2 Explore the Forest, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington, 12PM-4PM, climb a tree, pitch a tent, try archery and more, free. bring your bike for a check over by LL Bean
June 2 Art in the Park,Village Green, 12PM-5PM, artists, live music, food trucks, wine tasting, demos
June 2 World's Largest Backyard BBQ, Arlington Heights History Museum, 1PM-4PM, food, fun, history, games and music, tour buildings, $5 pp, please register, children under 3 are free
June 2 Garfield Farm Museum Open Day, St. Charles, 1PM-4PM, tour farm, 1846 brick tavern and more, suggested donation $4 per adult, $2 per kid
June 2 Kite Fly Festival, Naperville, Frontier Sportsplex, 10AM-4PM, kite demos and stunts, kids activities and more