Things To Do This Weekend July 30 - August 1, 2021
By: Kelli Smith 07/29/2021
Summer deserves a speeding ticket as we near the end of July and the first week of August. Luckily, Lake County is still full of fun special events this summer season.Chase the thrills of carnival rides, hit the road and explore the beauty of Lake County, savor the local libations and experience live entertainment all weekend long in the land of lakes.
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Visit Lake County is randomly selecting one individual to win two free tickets to Dr Pepper Zero Sugar Chicago Bears Training Camp for Saturday, August 7. The ticket giveaway runs through Wednesday August 4. Continue here to learn more.
Here is this weekend's edition of the top five things to do in Lake County.
1. 92nd Annual Lake County Fair in Grayslake
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For nearly a century, the Lake County Fair has provided great family experiences for the young and old, spanning generations. After a year hiatus due to COVID-19, the annual event is heading “Back to Our Roots” for its 92nd year. This year’s microfair will celebrate the core components of “Summer’s Best Fest” at the Grayslake facility. The fair is highlighted by live music from headliners Final Say, Chicago Latin Groove and Brecken Miles as well as other local bands. Win like never B-4 at the fair’s beer tent bingo all weekend long. Sip on local suds Friday and Saturday and pair the game with your favorite tomato-flavored libation on the fair’s last day with bloody Mary’s. Experience nonstop automobile-crushing action at the demolition derby on Saturday and Sunday as full-size and compact cars senselessly bully each other at the fairgrounds’ arena. Savor everyone’s summer-favorite fair bites including funnel cakes, fried oreos and corn dogs and quench your third with a refreshing fresh squeezed lemonade. Fair staples like bumper cars, coasters, the ferris wheel and all other classic rides and games will run like usual at the Midway. Tickets must be purchased online as no tickets will be sold at the gate. Visit LcFair.com for a full schedule of events. To learn more about the top 10 things you can’t miss at the 92nd Annual Lake County Fair, click here.
Friday-Sunday, July 30-August 1; Fri.-Sat.: noon - 11 p.m., Sun.: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tickets: $5-$10 per person. Children ages five and under receive free admission. Midway rides and games have separate admissions. Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center, 1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake.
2. Lake County Summer Road Trip
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New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Emma Chase agrees that “the greatest part of a road trip isn’t arriving at your destination, it’s all the wild stuff that happens along the way.” “Let the ride take you” to Lake County to discover the hidden gems, rich history, refreshing beaches, quaint local shops and outdoor beauty of the land of lakes. Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau encourages travelers to indulge on five unique road trip routes that includes a trip down Illinois Route 21 and U.S. Route 45. This itinerary is highlighted by libations at Half Day Brewing Co., mini golf at Par-King Skill Golf in Lincolnshire, dinner at Mundelein’s Mambo Italiano and big kid links at Lincolnshire Marriott Resort’s Crane’s Landing Golf Course. The unique Illinois Route 83 itinerary includes a stop at the Lake County Forest Preserve’s Dunn Museum in Libertyville and sweet treats at Tony Cannoli in Mundelein. U.S. Route 41 is all about fun with boating at the Waukegan Harbor and Marina, shows at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, entertainment at Ravinia Festival in Highland Park and so much more. Head North or South of Sheridan Road to experience the nature of Lake County at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion and Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve in Lake Forest. U.S. Route 12 featuresLake County’s auto capital, the Volo Museum, shopping at the Deer Park Town Center and supporting local restaurants including Miller’s Dog N Suds in Ingleside, Slyce Coal Fired Pizza in Wauconda and El Puerto Mexican Restaurant in Fox Lake. This summer, don’t take a road trip, let the ride take you to the beauty, history, nature and discovery of Lake County, Illinois. For more information on Lake County Road Trips, peruse through VisitLakeCounty.org/road-trips
Friday-Sunday, July 30-August 1; Hours vary. Various locations in Lake County.
3. Lake Zurich Pub & Grub Crawl
Feast on Lake County eats and savor local suds at Lake Zurich’s inaugural Pub & Grub Crawl. The crawl will take participants to Lake County Libation Trail partners Roaring Table Brewery, Copper Fiddle Distillery, restaurateur Zin GastroPub and will make additional stops at Lake Zurich Brewing and BBQ’d Productions. Land of lakes foodies will pre-select a food and beverage option at each location and are invited to stay the night at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites for a special room rate, which is also the location where the Pub & Grub Crawl begins. For the full agenda of the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce, visit LZACC.com
Friday, July 30; 4:15 - 10:30 p.m. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lake Zurich-Barrington, 197 S. Rand Rd., Lake Zurich
4. Independence Grove Forest Preserve Beer Garden in Libertyville
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Summer has a flavor like no other, and so do the local suds at the Beer Garden at Independence Grove Forest Preserve. Experience this Lake County Forest Preserve District’s beer flights for sippers ages 21 and older while viewing the area’s natural beauty. The beer garden’s Mile 15 Hazy & Lazy created by Waukegan Lake County Libation Trail partner ZümBier Brewery and the Lake County Forest Preserves is the featured adult beverage this summer in its inception year. The New England India Pale Ale dons its name from Independence Grove’s hiking and biking location along the Des Plaines River Trail. The Libertyville forest preserve encourages libationers to find marker 15 on the aforementioned Illinois-Wisconsin trail and snap a photo with the brew. Besides the Waukeganite “liquid courage,” the beer garden is also highlighted by Lake County Libation Trail partners Mickey Finn’s Brewery in Libertyville, Tighthead Brewery in Mundelein, Half Day Brewing in Lincolnshire, Buffalo Creek Brewing in Long Grove, Ravinia Brewing Co. in Highland Park, Light the Lamp Brewery in Grayslake, Black Lung Brewing Co. in Round Lake Beach and Roaring Table Brewing Co. in Lake Zurich. The Beer Garden also offers non-alcoholic beverages and snacks. The Independence Grove Forest Preserve entity is open on weekends and Tuesday nights for its summer series called Concerts in the Plaza.
Friday-Sunday, July 30-August 1; 1 - around 8 p.m. The bar closes a half before sunset. Beer Garden at Independence Grove, 16400 Buckley Rd., Libertyville.
5. Brian McKnight at Ravinia Festival in Highland Park
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R&B singer, songwriter, producer, artist and multi-instrumentalist Brian McKnight is bringing his strong voice and belting range to Highland Park’s Ravinia Festival. The “Back at One” vocalist has released 15 albums and has sold 25 million albums worldwide. “The Masked Singer” competitor has also received 16 Grammy Award nominations, various Soul Train Awards, American Music Awards, and was awarded Billboard Songwriter of the Year. His most recent album, “Exodus,” was released in 2020. American Idol winner Ruben Studdard will open with a tribute to the late singer, songwriter and record producer Luther Vandross. McKnight will be performing hits from his discography spanning his 30-year career. Tickets can be purchased at Ravinia.org.
Friday, July 30; Public Gates Open: 5 p.m., Concerts Starts: 7:30 p.m. Admission: $27-$90, Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park.
Cheer on the red, white and blue and our Prairie State olympians at one of our many restaurant and Lake County Libation Trail partners. Click here to find the best places to watch the summer games!
