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Western Suburbs July-September
Activities
9/4-9/5,
48th Invitational Fine Art Exhibition
Oakbrook
Center
100 Oakbrook Center (Rt. 83 &
22nd St./Cermak Rd.), Oak Brook
(630) 573-0700
www.oakbrookcenter.com
Through 1/2010, Steelroots: Tobin at the
Morton Arboretum
4100
Illinois Rt. 53, Lisle
(630) 968-0074
www.mortonarb.org
Steve Tobin, who created the Trinity Root 9/11 memorial near Ground Zero in
NYC, is the mastermind behind this sculpture series, designed to transform the
way we look at nature. Don’t miss the Midwestern debut of a comprehensive
exhibition of his Steelroots works, which includes 14 transcendent, monumental
pieces nestled within the arboretum’s tree-filled outdoor galleries.
Wednesdays
through 9/1, Cool Cars Under the Stars
Elmhurst
City Centre
York Rd. & First St.
(630) 993-1600
Cruise into the heart of downtown Elmhurst for a weekly car show perfect
for families and anyone interested in evening auto adventures. A different
theme is featured every time; this
year’s newest is Motorcycle Night.
7/21-7/25,
Du Page County Fair
DuPage
County Fairgrounds
2015 W. Manchester Rd., Wheaton
(630) 668-6636
www.dupagecountyfair.org
Experience grandstand entertainment, local talent, carnival rides, animals,
kids’ game shows, chainsaw art, racing animals, magic shows, a demolition
derby, 4-H exhibits, talent contests and more. This year’s musical headliners
include a Michael Jackson laser spectacular, B.o.B. and Lonnie Brooks &
Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater.
Places
Brookfield Zoo
3300 S. Golf Rd., Brookfield
(708) 688-8000
www.brookfieldzoo.org
Brookfield Zoo is a 125-acre environment complete with wetlands and world-class
animal exhibits, open year round. Visit one of the zoo’s newest additions, a
baby orangutan, born in October. Enjoy a Dolphin Presentation, ride the Motor
Safari or learn about animals with daily zoo chats. Take your kids to the
Hamill Family Play Zoo, a unique building where even the youngest kids can
pretend and pretend, or the Children’s Zoo so they can interact with farm animals.
There’s always something happening at family-friendly Brookfield Zoo! Don’t
miss Stingray Bay and Butterflies! this summer, and check out the zoo’s latest
exhibit, Great Bear Wilderness. The dolphin show has also returned to a
renovated Seven Seas exhibit. On 7/18, Spanish pop star Belinda appears at Zoo
Tunes. On 7/27 and 8/12, White Sox players make appearances. Come 8/29 for a
Country Concert at Zoo Tunes.
Cantigny Park
1 S. 151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton
(630) 668-5161
www.cantigny.org
Cantigny Park includes the First Division Museum, the Robert R. McCormick
Museum and many acres of gardens, picnic grounds and nature trails. The
Cantigny Golf Courses include a public 18-hole, 9-hole and youth-only 9-hole
course in a beautiful setting. Also watch for outdoor displays of vintage tanks
and other military vehicles. This summer take advantage of Cantigny Sprouts
programs for the kids, stroller and bicycle tours, tons of concerts,
Shakespeare in the Park and fitness activities such as yoga. Events include a
patriotic Independence Day celebration on 7/4, Dog Days at Cantigny on 8/7,
Revolutionary War Re-enactment on 9/11-9/12, a Constitution Day celebration on
9/17, stargazing on 9/18, the Cantigny Car show on 9/19 and the Green Fair on
9/25. Check the Web site for the full slate of events, which happen daily
during this time of year.
The Morton Arboretum
4100 Illinois Rt. 53, Lisle
(630) 968-0074
www.mortonarb.org
The arboretum dedicates itself to the collection and study of trees, shrubs,
and other plants from around the world.
Its goal is to learn how to grow them in ways that enhance our
environment and to encourage the planting and conservation of trees and other
plants. Through next year, see 14 dramatic Steve Tobin sculptures in the
outdoor galleries in the “Steelroots: Tobin at the Morton Arboretum”
exhibition. Enjoy Theatre-Hikes on weekends—“Robin Hood” is performed
throughout July, “Peter Pan” shows in August, and “Our Town” is scheduled for
September. The In Tune with Trees Concerts feature Huey Lewis & The News on
7/23, Indigo Girls on 7/24, New Millennium Orchestra of Chicago family concert
on 7/25, New Millennium Orchestra with Matthew Santos on 7/25, Lyle Lovett on 8/6,
Ralph’s World on 8/7, Lee Ann Womack with Mark Chesnutt on 8/7 and Marc Cohn
with Bettye LaVette on 8/8. Sunset Soirees among the Steelroots include “East
Meets West: The Miyumi Project Jazz Ensemble,” 7/17; “The Puppets of Craig
Figtree,” 8/21; and “The Seldoms Dance at the Steelroots,” weekends 9/12-9/25.
Check the schedule for daily family programs, bike rides and more.
Billy Graham Center
500 E. College Ave., Wheaton
(630) 752-5909
With visually commanding displays employing thousands of artifacts, photos and
video clips, Wheaton’s Billy Graham Center Museum takes you through history to
the heart of evangelism in American today, and into the private and public life
of its best-known spokesman, Billy Graham. Through 9/8, catch the
calligraphy/illustration exhibit “Bound for Glory: New Work by Timothy R.
Botts.”
Cantigny Park
1 S. 151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton
(630) 668-5161
www.cantigny.org
Cantigny Park includes the First Division Museum, the Robert. R. McCormick Museum,
the Cantigny Golf Courses, and 15 acres of gardens, picnic grounds and nature
trails.
Center for History
312 W. Front St., Wheaton
(630) 871-6601
Explore history through hands-on activities, role-playing and other interactive
ways. The Center hosts lectures and other events monthly on Thursday nights.
This month, “Tales of the Courthouse” returns on 3/12 and “Battered, Abused
& Diseased” explores the effects of the environment on museum artifacts on
3/26.
Cernan Earth and Space Center
Triton College
2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove
(708) 583-3100
Explore the wonders of the universe and the latest discoveries in astronomy,
space exploration, and earth science at the Cernan Earth and Space Center, a
unique space-age facility that combines education and entertainment for people
of all ages. Call for a schedule of earth and sky shows, laser shows and
children’s shows.
DuPage Children’s Museum
301 N. Washington St., Naperville
(630) 637-8000
www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org
Children’s familiar experiences expand through self-directed, interactive
exhibits and programs focusing on the integration of the arts and sciences.
Here’s a safe and inviting environment where both children and adults learn and
play together. The Museum hosts fun kids’ crafts and other drop-in activities
throughout the month.
Elmhurst Art Museum
150 Cottage Hill Avenue, Elmhurst
(630) 834-0202
www.elmhurstartmuseum.org
A significant piece of the museum’s collection is the McCormick House, one of
only three homes in the United States designed and built by Ludwig Mies van der
Rohe, considered the father of modern architecture. Specializing in late 20th-century
American art, the museum presents a balance of regional artists and important
national shows. Closed Monday, Tuesdays free. “The Search for Form: Eleanor
Himmelfarb and Holly Renald Cohn” is on display through 9/12 and “Mary Bourke:
Living Matters” is on display until 9/21.
Elmhurst Historical Museum
120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst
(630) 833-1457
www.elmhursthistory.org
Ongoing exhibits tell the history of the city of Elmhurst as well as the Glos
Mansion. This summer, visit the family-friendly “The Magical History Tour” and
in the fall, return for “Metroworks.”
Ernest Hemingway Museum
200 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park
(708) 848-2222
The first twenty years of Ernest Hemingway's life are the subject of the
Museum's exhibitions and videos. Permanent exhibitions highlight four main
themes: Hemingway's family life, the important role the outdoors played in his
development, his education in the Oak Park public schools, and his pivotal
experiences in World War I.
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park
(708) 848-1976
www.wrightplus.org
The home and studio of America's most renowned architect is open daily for
guided interior tours. As Wright's personal design laboratory for the first
twenty years of his career as well as the place where he raised his family,
this National Historic Landmark features some of the most spectacular spaces in
American architecture. You can also take tours of the surrounding Historic
District, which features Wright’s work and other architecturally significant
homes. REMOVE THE REST.
Graue Mill and
Museum
3800 York Rd., Oak Brook
(630) 655-2090
www.grauemill.org
Graue Mill is the only operating waterwheel gristmill in Illinois and one of
only three authenticated Underground Railroad sites in the state. Come for
milling, spinning, weaving and living history presentations, and view artifacts
that illustrate the way local residents lived between 1850-1890. Closed Mondays.
On 7/3-7/4, learn about a miller’s job during “From Grain to Grist,” and on
7/18, explore butterflies in “Monarch Magic.” Take part in the Scavenger Hunt
at the Mill on 8/8 and Children’s Chore Day on 8/22. Civil War Encampment: 10th
Illinois Regiment takes place 9/4-9/5 and Graue Mill’s 9th Annual
Cornfest takes place 9/12.
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art
220 Cottage Hill, Elmhurst
(630) 833-1616
www.lizzadromuseum.org
The Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art presents the beauty of stone in the form of
art objects, mineral specimens, gems and gem materials. People of all ages can
be inspired by this unique blending of art and science, the result of over
fifty years of collecting by the Joseph F.
Lizzadro, Sr. family. Through the Lizzadro family’s great generosity
and foresight, the Museum serves as a center for the appreciation of lapidary
art and the promotion of the study of earth science. Films and family events
take place throughout the year. Through 9/5, check out “The Rock Café” exhibit,
featuring meals made of stone.
Naper Settlement
523 S. Webster St., Naperville
(630) 420-6010
www.napersettlement.museum
This museum village of 19th-century homes, shops and public
buildings exhibits a collection of historical facts and furnishings. Costumed
villagers work, play and tell the story of daily life in Naperville from 1831
to 1900 as it changed from a frontier outpost to a bustling turn-of-the-century
community. The Settlement also houses a reference library and archival
collection. The Settlement celebrates National Ice Cream Month, National Hot
Dog Month and National Picnic Month in July. Also, Settlement Sundays in July
and August feature free sundaes from 2-3:30 p.m., along with activities and
games. The Naperville Woman’s Club Art Fair takes place 7/10-7/11, and National
Lollipop Day takes place 7/20. 7/23 is a Naperville Summer Nights Movie Night,
featuring a Battle of the Bands and then Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
at dusk. 7/24 features a concert by A Rocket to the Moon. 7/28 is Beatrix
Potter’s Birthday. In August, the Heritage Hall of Honor inducts its honorees
on 8/1; Discover the Dollar Day is 8/8; National S’Mores Day is 8/10. In
September, the Family Fun Land Last Fling takes place 9/4-9/5. National
Grandparents Day is 9/4-9/5, the Weed Ladies Fall Flora Sale happens 9/16-19
and the Naperville Wine Festival takes place 9/17-9/18. The Harvest Pow Wow is
on 9/25-9/26.
Oak Park Conservatory
615 Garfield Ave., Oak Park
(708) 386-4700
The Oak Park Conservatory displays greenery from around the world. In the Tropic House, tropical plants such as
papaya, coffee, cacao, and bananas abound. Visitors can also find begonias, orchids
and carnivorous plants in the Fern House and cacti, along with aloes and jade
plants in the arid climate of the Desert House. The Conservatory also offers a
prairie garden of native Illinois flowers and grasses, plus an herb garden.
SciTech
18 W. Benton, Aurora
(630) 859-3434
Aurora’s interactive science and technology center offers over 200 hands-on
exhibits demonstrating the principles of electricity, weather, astronomy, and
nuclear energy.
Walter Payton's Roundhouse Complex
205 N. Broadway, Aurora
(630) 264-BREW
www.walterpaytonsroundhouse.com
Created as a tribute to Walter Payton, the museum features a number of items
that the football hero donated for people to enjoy, which include his 1985
Super Bowl ring, hall of Fame bust, memorabilia, videos, scrapbooks, trophies,
and personal photographs.
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