What’s going on
Out&about
Through Aug. 2
Exhibit: Revolution
Paintings by John DeLong at The Crystal Cork Wine Shoppe, 219 W. First St., Dixon. For more information, visit www.distinctivegardensinc.com/ccaq.html or call 815-285-3496.
Through Sept. 13
Crime Lab Detective
Discovery Center Museum’s new traveling exhibit takes visitors into the popular world of crime labs and detective work. Be the real Sherlock Holmes as you examine clues. It’s up to you to solve the crime. Visit www.discoverycentermuseum.org or call 815-963-6769. Located at 711 N. Main St., Rockford.
July 10-11
Illinois state BBQ championships
BBQ dinner 5-8 p.m. Friday and 11a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in Shannon. Sixty teams from 18 states compete for honors. Fully sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society. Local dessert contest open to the public. For more information, visit www.ilstatebbqchampionship.com or call 815-864-2679.
July 10
Microscope mini-world
Midwest Museum of Natural History, 425 W. State St., Sycamore. Investigate the world unseen by the naked eye and learn the proper use of various types of microscopes. Examine your own hair, pond water, and prepared slides. For more information, visit www.mmnh.org or call 815-895-9777.
July 11
YWCA Race Against Racism
8 a.m. at Westwood Trails in Sterling. Free Unity Run to children ages 10 and younger. Join the YWCA of the Sauk Valley in racing against racism at the annual 5K run/walk. Open to women and men ages 11 and older.
July 11
Tour de Health
8 a.m. CGH Health Foundation bike ride starting at Rock Falls Middle School.
July 11
Fossil dig
Meet at Vulcan Materials quarry, 15622 Barber Greene Road, Sycamore. Includes brief geologic history of the area. Tools provided. Bring a small bucket or bag to take home your treasures. Wear heavy shoes and long pants. Adult helmets will be provided. Kids should bring bike or ski helmet if they have one. Gloves, safety glasses, a hat, sunscreen, water and camera suggested. Registration required. For more information, contact the Midwest Museum of Natural History at 815-895-9777 or visit www.mmnh.org online.
July 11-12
Summerfield farm and zoo event
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 3088 Flora Road, Belvidere. See all the exotic animals including kinkajous, llamas, parrots, wallabies, reindeer, ring-tailed lemurs, cougar, camel, hedgehogs, servals, bobcats, tortoises and other animals from around the world. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on select days only. Visit www.summerfieldfarminc.com or call 815-547-4852 to learn more.
July 12
Lion’s Club car show
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oregon Park East. Oldies music by 3-D Sound. No pets or alcohol allowed.
July 14
Wine and Beer Tasting
6-8:30 p.m. at Deer Valley Country Club. $20 a person, or two for $35. Enjoy tastings (five free with ticket/additional $1 each), hors d’oeuvres, wine pull and raffle. All proceeds benefit the American Red Cross Lincoln Land Chapter. Call 815-625-0382 for more information.
Festivals
July 10-25
Fiesta Days
Petersen Park, on McCullum Lake Road west of state Route 31, McHenry. Music, food, entertainers, games, parade, wooden boat show, fun runs, car show, sports tournaments, motorcycle show, sculpture contest, drum corp show. For more information, call 815-385-4300.
July 13-19
Stephenson County Fair
At the Stephenson County Fairgrounds, 2250 S. Walnut Road, Freeport. Livestock shows, carnival, truck and tractor pulls, commercial exhibits, country music and more. For more information, visit www.stephensoncofair.com or call 815-235-2918.
Stage events
July 10
Musical Fridays concert
Noon in downtown Dixon at the Town Square Center. Free. Bring a lunch and listen.
July 11
Rock River Jazz Band Concert
7:30 p.m. at the Grandon Civic Center in Sterling. For more information, visit www.sterlingmunicipalband.com or call Jon or Cathy at 815-622-1681.
July 11
Glory Bound String band
7 p.m. at the Campground Amphitheater in the Thomson Causeway, on the west side of Thomson, on Lewis Avenue off Main Street. Free program. For more information, call a ranger at at 815-259-3628.
July 11
Merlin
7-9 p.m. at Books on First, 202 W. First St., Dixon. For more information, visit www.booksonfirst.com/ on the Web.
July 15
Sterling Municipal Symphony Band Concert Series
7:30 p.m. at the Grandon Civic Center, Sterling. For more information, call Jon or Cathy at 815-622-1681 or visit www.sterlingmunicipalband.com on the Web.
July 15
Evita
Rock Valley College Starlight Theatre, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford. East versus West makes for a dramatic, uplifting tale of enormous fascination. Phone 815-921-2160 or visit www.rvcstarlight.com on the Web.
July 17
Musical Fridays concert
Noon in downtown Dixon at the Town Square Center. Free. Bring a lunch and listen.
July 17
James Gang Karaoke
7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at Starlight’s Theatre & Lounge, 314 First Ave., Sterling. No cover charge. For more information, call 847-254-2878; e-mail starlightstheatre@live.com or visit www.starlightstheatre.com on the Web.
July 9-12
Byronfest
Downtown Byron. July 9: GospelFest at Neighbors Rehab and Healthcare Center. July 10-12: Events at venues throughout the city, including athletic events at the Byron Park District and Jarrett Prairie Center, a classic car show at the United Church of Byron and quilt show at the Byron Museum of History. For the full schedule, visit www.byronfest.org on the Web.
