Aurora
• Through October 20
Broadway Series: “Newsies”
Straight from the headlines of turn of the century New York comes the true story that had Broadway roaring before it even opened. Joseph Pulitzer is plotting a way to increase the revenue of his declining newspaper; while down in the streets, newsboys hawk papers on corners barely making enough to survive. When Pulitzer raises the price of the paper, delivery boy Jack Kelly organizes a strike to show Pulitzer and his gang of cronies they’re not going to be pushed into the gutter. Paramount Theatre, 23 E Galena Boulevard.
For tickets and more information call 630.896.6666 or visit paramountaurora.com.
• September 21 – October 27
Pumpkin Daze at Abbey Farms
Pumpkin Daze at Abbey Farms will have ol’ fashioned family fun. Packed with activities, the 40-acre pumpkin farm will have all the tools needed. There will be delicious cider donuts, a craft beer tent with Chicago sports on television, fire pits, a movie under the stars Saturday nights, and the Nagle Emporium farmstead store! Abbey Farms is home to one of Chicagoland’s largest corn mazes plus plenty of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. Abbey Farms, 850 Butterfield Road.
For more information call 630.966.7775 or visit abbeyfarms.org/pumpkin-season.
• September 24 – December 13
THREADS: A Line From There To Here
One hundred and fifty historic and contemporary Native American clothing items, shoes, jewelry, bags and hats. The public is invited. Admission and parking are free. The exhibit will open with a reception from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24. The Schingoethe Center of Aurora University, 1315 Prairie Street.
For more information call 630.844.7844, send to mbero@aurora.edu or visit aurora.edu.
• Friday, Sept. 27 • 11 a.m.
PreGreenfest
Fox Metro Water Reclamation District will present the Greenfest Last Stop! There will be a brief presentation on the latest improvements followed by a tour of its new South Plant wastewater treatment facility. Fox Metro WRD’s wastewater plant serves approximately 300,000 residents of Aurora, Oswego, Montgomery, North Aurora, Sugar Grove, and portions of Batavia and Yorkville.
For more information and to RSVP send to info@foxmetro.org.
• Saturday, Sept. 28 • 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Aurora GreenFest
Everyone can celebrate the 10th birthday of the Aurora GreenFest at noon Saturday, Sept. 28 with a green cake! The 10th annual GreenFest will be at Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois, Aurora, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. The GreenFest is free and accessible to all. There will be a Green Car Show, kids’ activities, nature exhibits, live music, and food trucks.
For more information visit auroragreenfest.com.
• Saturday, Sept. 28 • 8 a.m. – noon
Second annual Holiday Decor Sale
Sunnymere will hold its second annual Holiday Decor Sale. Individuals can shop for new and gently-used decorations for the holidays. Those who have decorations they no longer want or use are welcome to bring them to Sunnymere, 925 Sixth Avenue. Proceeds from the sale will go to support activities for the residents. Sunnymere is a non-profit senior living community serving older adults.
For more information call 630-898-7844.
• Saturday, Sept. 28 • 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Eat Spaghetti fundraiser
Girls Scout Troop 4785 will hold a spaghetti dinner fundraiser at Wesley United Methodist Church, 14 N. May Street. The public is invited. Parking is free. A bake sale and raffle are included. The menu includes all-you-can-eat spaghetti, choice of meat, alfredo or marinara sauce, salad, bread and lemonade or water. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for children and $25 for a family. Money raised will help send the Scouts to Walt Disney World. For more information call 630.896.1033.
• Saturday, Sept. 28 • 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Oktoberfest at Marmion Academy
Oktoberfest at Marmion Academy, 1000 Butterfield Road, can be celebrated in a fun-filled evening with a delicious German dinner, all drinks (Oktoberfest style beers, wine, spiked seltzer, soda) and live music featuring the dueling pianos from Howl at the Moon. The festivities will take place outside on Marmion’s beautiful campus. The all-inclusive admission is $60/person (21 and older).
For more information and to purchase tickets visit marmion.org/fest.
• Sunday, Sept. 29 • noon – 3 p.m.
Harvest of the Acorn Moon Festival
The Kane County Forest Preserve District will celebrate the harvest season at Oakhurst Forest Preserve, 1680 Fifth Avenue. At the family-friendly festival, there will be pumpkin-painting, nature crafts, outdoor games, folk music, and harvest-theme refreshments. All ages are welcome. This event has free admission.
For more information visit kaneforest.com or call 630-444-3190.
• Sunday, Sept. 29 • 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
SciTech Birthday Bash
The SciTech Hands On Museum will have a birthday party and everyone is invited! Cold Blooded Creatures, Jim Nesci, will visit. Free sponsored activities include: Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois climbing tower; CASA, slime bar; Aurora Police Department, evidence RV; Endiro, science of coffee; SPARK, family activity; and Phillips Park, animal meet and greet. $5 raffle tickets for incredible prizes. SciTech Hands-On Museum, 18 W. Benton Street.
For more information call 630.859.3434.
Batavia
• Sunday, Sept. 22 • Starts at 11:45 a.m.
Ethical gardening
Trish, Beckjord, a registered landscape architect, and program manager for The Conservation Foundation’s Fox River Education and Outreach Initiative, will give a presentation open to the public at Unity of Fox Valley, 220 Webster. Her topic will be ethical gardening. The public should enter from the parking lot behind the building. Refreshments will be available prior to the presentation.
• Thursday, Sept. 26 • 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Cocktails with Clemens & Mark Twain
The Batavia Historical Society and Batavia Library Foundation invite the community to be part of the 150th anniversary of Mark Twain’s visit to Batavia. This historical reenactment will feature Chicago’s internationally acclaimed Richard Henzel as Samuel L. Clemens, is an educational and entertaining event which celebrates our past. Before the show cocktails with Clemens, will be from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Batavia Depot Museum, 155 Houston Street., for $20. Show will begin at 7 p.m. at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1399 W Wilson Street, for $30.
For more information or tickets visit bataviafineartscentre.org or call 630-937-8930.
• September 27-29
Batavia Oktoberfest
Downtown Batavia will present a traditional Oktoberfest event with authentic German food, music, live entertainment, and of course, beer. Official Sam Adams stein-hoisting contests will be Friday night and Saturday night. Sunday will be a full of family fun, games and family entertainment. Location is North River Street between Wilson and Spring Streets.
For more information visit downtown batavia.com/oktoberfest.
Elgin
• Saturday, Sept. 21 • Starts at 7 p.m.
11th Annual Elgin Short Film Festival
The 11th Annual Elgin Short Film Festival promises to be an entertaining evening of some of the very best in short films by some of the very best up-and-coming filmmakers. The films, no more than 20 minutes in length, are rated PG. Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way.
• Monday, Sept. 23 • 7:30 p.m.
Beatles vs. Rolling Stones
The debate between the Beatles and the Rolling Stones has been going on ever since they first crossed paths on the charts 54 years ago. These two legendary bands will engage in an on-stage musical showdown by bands Abbey Road and Satisfaction Monday, Sept. 23 at the Hemmens Cultural Center,45 Symphony Way. Tickets are $35 to $75 and may be purchased by phone at 847.931.5900, at the Theatre Box Office or online at www.hemmens.org. The show is appropriate for all ages.
Geneva
• Saturday, Sept. 21 • 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Autumn Fair
The Geneva Park District at Peck Farm Park will celebrate Autumn with pony rides, a petting zoo, hayrides, crafts, games, and a birds of prey presentation. Attendees can climb to the top of the silo and enjoy the view across the prairie, play at Hawks Hollow Nature Playground, visit the Butterfly House, and possibly win a variety of prizes in the basket raffle. Basket raffle proceeds will help as a benefit to the special projects of the Geneva Park District Foundation. Admission to Autumn Fair is free, however some activities require a small fee. Peck Farm Park, 4038 Kaneville Road.
For more information visit genevaparks.org.
Montgomery
• Saturday, Sept. 21 • 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Spirits on the Farm
Attendees can taste spirits from Illinois distilleries, enjoy food trucks, artisan wares and live music. Spirits on the Farm tickets are available at the door $25, which includes souvenir glass and five tasting tickets. Extra tasting tickets and cocktail tickets are available for purchase. Designated driver tent will be available. Dickson-Murst Farm, 2550 Dickson Road.
For more information call 630.428.4500.
• Saturday, Sept. 21 • 9 a.m.
Village Tree Planting Ceremony
The Village of Montgomery will have a tree-planting ceremony at Montgomery Police Station, 10 Civic Center Drive. The community is invited to celebrate the planting of a new tree, a bald cypress tree. The tree-planting ceremony will be conducted by the Village’s Beautification Committee.
For more information visit ci.montgomery.il.us.
Morris
• Saturday, Sept. 21 • 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
22nd annual Prairie Day
This will be a celebration the prairie environment normally held in conjunction with National Prairie Week at the Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area. Presentations on the environment and nature play a very important part of the day’s activities as well as playing on the special features of the park itself. Various presentations, educational talks, and projects for the children are the special offerings of the day. All aspects of the park are open. Come rain or come shine. Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area , 5010 N. Jugtown Road off Pine Bluff Road.
For more information visit gooselakeprairie.org/prairieday.htm
Naperville
• Saturday, Sept. 21 • 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Indian Cultural Festival-Tastes and Cultures of India
Simply Vedic’s annual Fall festival for Indian culture will have dances, a fashion show, arts and crafts, a rangoli competition, and vegetarian food. Central Park, 104 E. Benton Drive.
For more information visit indianculturalfestival.org.
• September 21-22 • 10 a.m. – 5 p.m..
2019 Riverwalk Fine Art Fair
The Naperville Art League will present the 34th Annual Riverwalk Fine Art Fair at Naperville Riverwalk, Main and Jackson and along the Riverwalk. On display will be some of the finest in visual arts.
Oswego
• Saturday, Sept. 21 • 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Brew at the Bridge – Oswego’s Craft Beer Festival
Oswego’s annual craft beer festival invites everyone 21 and over to downtown Oswego to taste samples of beer. There will be live music, delicious food. Prairie Point Community Park, 4120 Plainfield Road.
For more information call 630.554.1010.
Plano
• Saturday, Sept. 28 • 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Farnsworth for the Birds: Fall Migration
Experienced Fox Valley birder and wildlife artist, Christopher Cudworth, will lead the event to help guests identify birds. Please bring binoculars. Waterproof footwear is recommended. Farnsworth House, 14520 River Road.
For more information call 630.552.0052.
Warrenville
• Tuesday, Sept. 25 • 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
(Rescheduled) Al Capone and the Days of Prohibition
This year is the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 18th Amendment which prohibited alcohol throughout the United States. Warrenville Historical Society will have a lecture on the days of prohibition and mobsters who were famous for their evil acts during that time, including Al Capone, who had connections in Warrenville. 28W751 Stafford Place.
For more information call 630.393.1171, or visit warrenville.com.
Wheaton
• Friday, Sept. 20 • 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day
At 11 a.m., Cantigny Post 556 of the American Legion will conduct a brief remembrance ceremony at the First Division Museum, and a missing-man table will be displayed in the museum lobby throughout the day. The table and items on it symbolize the sacrifices made by prisoners of war and those still missing in action. Free with $5 parking. Cantigny First Division Museum, 1S151 Winfield Road.
For more information visit cantignypark.org.
• Friday, Sept. 20 • 5 p.m.
Battle of the Bands
At the first-time event, in partnership with Rock Academy music school in Downers Grove, 10 plus bands comprised of young musicians take turns on stage for about 15 minutes each. Free with $5 parking. Cantigny Bandshell, 1S151 Winfield Road.
For more information visit cantignypark.org.
Yorkville
• Thursday, Sept. 26 • 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Boy Scout Troop at Yorkville Homecoming Parade
Boy Scout Troop 40 will serve cider and doughnuts along with walking tacos during the Yorkville Homecoming Parade at the Chapel on the Green, 107 West Center Street. This event will take place inside in the Foxes Lair, formerly the Yorkville High School Teen Club.
For more information contact Bev Popp 630-882-9977.
• Tuesday, Sept. 24 • 7 p.m.
Joyce Maldonado, Cigar Box Ukuleles
The Kendall Arts Guild will welcome guest speaker Joyce Maldonado to its next meeting. Joyce will display and discuss her one-of-a-kind cigar box ukuleles after a brief KAG business update. KAG meetings are held in the lower level community room of the office building at 215 Hillcrest Avenue at the corner of Rt. 34 and Center Parkway. Elevator access to the lower level is available. Guests are always welcome.
For more information contact Joan at 630.567.6407.
Would you like your upcoming activity considered for inclusion? Send the event details, name, date, time, and a paragraph description plus the event contact number and/or Web site address to me at neighborhoodactivities@comcast.net. Please send minimum two weeks prior to the event date.