Wednesday Weekend Windup {Arts Festivals, Bike Scavenger Hunt, World's Largest BBQ, Pride Parade and More}

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