Summer Festivals in Illinois

Art, fantasy, and popular culture collide in Illinois during the summer festival season. If you are looking for beautiful gardens, some happy carbohydrates, or fun with dolls, Illinois is the place to be.

The Chicago Suburb of Vernon Hills is home to the Cuneo Museum & Gardens. May 19 - 20, the Cuneo Museum & Gardens offers the Cuneo Gardens Art Festival, an early summer festival of arts and crafts, as well as performances by several local-favorite bands. The beautiful gardens are a draw by themselves.

Those same two days, May 19 - 20, the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe also holds a garden festival. The Japanese Garden Children's Festival is an educational event, where kids can learn about the art, the culture, and the history of Japan. Japanese culture is brought to life with storytelling, live music, hands-on activities, and even a tea ceremony. If you miss the one in May, you get a second chance August 18 - 19, 2007. Get all of the information at http://www.chicagobotanic.org/familyprograms/children_fest.php

The Carol Stream Summer in the Center, one of the most popular fests in the Chicago area, takes place at the Ross Ferraro Town Center June 7^th through 10^th. This family event offers attractions and activities for the kids, such as a carnival and pony rides, but will thrill adults alike. Carol Stream Summer is most widely-recognized with the tribute acts who grace their stage each year, playing music by the likes of the Beatles and U2. Find out more at http://onestientertainment.com/pages/carol_stream/carol_stream_home.htm

If you love American pop culture, or maybe just dolls, you will probably enjoy the Original Raggedy Ann & Andy Festival that takes place on Main Street in Arcola, IL each year. This year's festival is June 9^th and 10^th. Raggedy Ann & Andy's creator, Johnny Gruelle, was born in this Illinois town. While you are there, you can check out the Raggedy Ann & Andy Museum. Check it out at http://www.arcolachamber.com/

How much do you love bagels? Enough to meet up with other bagel lovers at Peterson Park in Mattoon, IL July 19 - 22 for the Bagelfest? The people of Mattoon, where Lender's Bagels are made, offer up the carb-filled treat in any flavor you'd like, with the cream cheeses, jellies, and butter to go with them. The Bagelfest made its mark with the World's Biggest Bagel in 1997, and at The World's Largest Bagel Breakfast, they hand out more than fifty-thousand of the holey bread-product. There are also concerts, contests, carnival rides and games, and additional food options, but, in Mattoon in July, it's mostly about the bagel.

Longing for a little fantasy in your life? If a few faeries would crave your hankering, you can find them in South Elgin, August 4^th and 5^th at The World of Faeries Festival. With faerie and fantasy themed crafts and activities, as well as food and music, this event will make event the most skeptical realist believe in a little magic. Find out more at http://www.theworldoffaeries.com/