McHenry County festivals bring barbecue, music and more in July and August – Shaw Local

There is no shortage of festivals in McHenry County this summer. From art and music celebrations to food and family fun, there is something for everyone.

Here’s a quick overview of some of the festivals happening in McHenry County in July and August.

Festival at the lake

Fourteen bands will perform at The Dole and Lakeside Arts Park for this annual event, taking place July 4-7 at 401 Country Club Road in Crystal Lake. Headliners include Eric Clapton tribute group Journeyman, Hi Infidelity, Blooze Brothers, Modern Day Romeos and Semple.

Enjoy a variety of food vendors, beer and wine, carnival rides and children’s activities including face painting, superheroes, team mascots, ice cream eating contest and a decorated bicycle parade.

Tickets cost $10 for those ages 13 to 64, $5 for those 65 and older and are free for children under 12 and active military members. This year’s event is cashless, with only credit card, debit and mobile payment options. More info: thedole.org/the-fest.

More in the hills Rockin’ Ribfest

Enjoy barbecue ribs from suppliers in Georgia, Ohio, Texas and Kentucky. Or, if you prefer, you can enjoy samples from the many additional food vendors such as Baroness, Happy Dawg, Happy’s Badass Bavarian, Smash’d Burgers and more. Musical entertainment includes performances from Jefferson Starship, Radio Gaga, Anthem, the Disco Circus and more.

The festival takes place July 11-14 at Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, and is a fundraiser for the Lake in the Hills Rotary Club. The carnival takes place Thursday and Friday from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Saturday from 1:00 PM to 10:30 PM and Sunday from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

The cost is $5 for adults, and free for military personnel with military ID verifying active status, as well as for children 12 and under accompanied by an adult. More info: rockinrotaryribfest.com.

McHenry Fiesta Days

This popular 11-day summer event, running from July 11 to 21, kicks off with Cask & Barrel Night, featuring whiskey and craft beer tastings.

Bands performing during the Music Fest Weekend from July 12 to 14 include Beyond the Blonde, Hairball, Boy Band Review and Hello Weekend. The Art and Street Fair takes place on July 20 and includes Art and Crafts in the Park, craft stations and more. Other festival events include a variety of food vendors, car shows, beach parties, fireworks, carnivals and other activities. The festival ends with the parade on July 21. Festival events take place at Petersen Park and Veterans Memorial Park in McHenry. More info: mchenryfiestadays.com.

Marengo’s day in the park

Enjoy an afternoon and evening at Indian Oaks Park with a car show, beer tent, petting zoo, craft fair and more from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM on July 13. Musical artists Jack Belz, Travis County Band, Creepy Uncle Jack and Lucas Matthew Band will perform throughout the day. Other activities include a dunk tank, a bucking bull, trackless train rides, fireworks and more. Participating food trucks include Stix and Noodles, Rolling Smoke BBQ, Your Sister’s Tomato, Sandie Dogs and more.

Indian Oaks Park is located at 825 Indian Oaks Trail in Marengo. More info: themarengoparkdistrict.com.

Algonquin Founders’ Days Festival

This year’s theme is Founders’ Days Goes to the Movies, with people encouraged to come dressed as their favorite movie character for a chance to win a prize. New this year is a Founders’ Brewfest, taking place on Thursday, July 25 at Main Street and Riverfront Park in downtown Algonquin. Some of the participating breweries include Half Day Brewing Company, Scorched Earth Brewing Company, Sew Hop’d Brewery and more.

Additional festival activities July 26-28, including live music, cardboard boat regatta, car show, bazaar and food stalls, will take place at Spella Park, 2610 Harnish Drive. Bands include 7th Heaven, Rok Brigade, Arra, Hairbanger’s Ball, Pino Farina Band and Jimmy Nick and Don’t Tell Mama. More info: algonquinfoundersdays.com.

McHenry County Fair

Classic rock band .38 Special will headline the Aug. 3 musical entertainment at the McHenry County Fair, July 30 through August. 4 at the McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock.

Returning favorites include the Miss McHenry County pageant on July 30, monster truck rally on August 1, bull riding on August 2 and demolition derby on August 4. Other activities include carnival rides, draft horse competitions, animal exhibits, crafts, food stalls and more. More info: mchenrycountyfair.com.

McHenry Area Rotary Bands, Brews and BBQ Festival

It’s three days of live music, delicious BBQ, and cold brews along the scenic shoreline of Lake McCullom! The McHenry Area Rotary’s Bands, Brews and BBQ Festival takes place August 16-18 at Petersen Park, 4300 Peterson Park Road, McHenry.

Food vendors include Austin’s Texas Lightning BBQ, Big E BBQ, Little Rock Stock Cafe, Riverside Chocolate Factory, Dr. Veggie, Suzie’s Fun Foods, Perk N’ Pickle and Genoa Italian Concessions. Wash it all down with a wide variety of brews from Crystal Lake Brewing, Sew Hop’d, Revolution and many others. Artists include Jimmy Nick, Recaptured: A Tribute to Journey, 8 Miles South, Tennessee Whiskey, Wild Country and more. More info: mrbbb.com.

Lake in the Hills Summer Sunset Fest

End the summer with one last party over Labor Day weekend, August 30 through September. 1 with the Lake in the Hills Summer Sunset Fest in Sunset Park.

The children will be entertained all day during the carnival, while adults can have fun in the beer tent or wine tasting with Village Vintner and Whiskey and Wine on Saturday and Sunday. A $15 ticket includes seven premium wine tastings and a souvenir glass. Food vendors include Da Pizza Company, Sweets in Heaven, Genoa Italian Concessions and others.

Additional festival activities include a classic and custom car show, a pickleball tournament, Sunset Market, a parade and more. New this year is a community picnic on August 31 from 11:30am to 3pm for family games and entertainment.

Sunset Park is located at 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills. More info: summersunsetfest.com.