👋 Summer Festival List, Rising Costs & 4th of July Reminders

Ever Wonder Where Our Road Names Came From?

A few of the roads we drive every week have deeper local roots than most of us realize.

Rand Road follows the path of an old Native American trail and was tied to Socrates Rand, an early settler who built a tavern near the Des Plaines River. Golf Road gets its name from the tiny Village of Golf, Illinois, while Dundee Road traces back to the Dundee area, which itself carries a name with Scottish roots.

So the next time you’re stuck in traffic on Rand, Golf or Dundee, at least you’ll have a little local history to think about. (Link)

Festival season is officially in full swing, and WTTW has a helpful guide to summer and fall events happening across Chicago and the suburbs.

From neighborhood street fests and outdoor concerts to art shows, cultural celebrations and family-friendly events, it’s a good one to bookmark when you’re looking for something fun to do over the next few months. (Link)

With severe storms becoming more frequent across Illinois, homeowners are also seeing insurance costs climb.

According to CBS Chicago, Illinois homeowners now pay an average of $2,731 per year for home insurance, about 14% above the national average. Rates have also risen 68% since 2020, one of the largest increases in the country.

For us local homeowners, it’s a good reminder to review your policy, understand your coverage and think about storm-related protection before the next round of severe weather hits. (Link)

A stretch of intense heat and humidity is expected across the Chicago area, with “feels like” temperatures possibly reaching 100 to 110 degrees on some days.

For our neighbors, this is a good reminder to take it seriously: stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during peak afternoon heat, check on older relatives and neighbors, keep pets indoors when possible and make sure kids are not left in parked cars, even for a few minutes.

If you have outdoor plans this week, try to shift them to the morning or evening and take plenty of breaks in the shade or air conditioning. (Link)

• Schaumburg: The village is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a special exhibit opening July 6 at the Schaumburg Township District Library. The evening will also include a free Town Square concert featuring Mellencougar at 6:45 PM, with the exhibit highlighting Schaumburg’s history through photos, film, time capsule items and local memories. (Link)

• Niles: The village is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with a summer lineup of community events, including the Fourth of July Parade, a Military Vehicle Tribute Night on July 27, Niles Founders Day on August 29 and the Leaning Tower lit in red, white and blue throughout July. (Link)

• Palatine: The village is reminding residents about its e-bike and e-scooter rules. To ride on Palatine streets, users must have completed a driver’s education course, have a valid driver’s license or be over age 18. (Link)

• Palatine: Palatine Township has been awarded $500,000 in Community Project Funding for its Haven Project. The funding will support Township Center facility improvements, including upgrades to the food pantry, and help expand access to essential services for residents. (Link)

• Prospect Heights: The city will host its annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony to honor the lives lost, first responders and all those impacted by September 11. Residents are invited to attend and take part in a quiet moment of reflection and remembrance. (Link)

• Wheeling: The village is conducting a Special Census in 2026 to get a more accurate population count. An updated count can help Wheeling qualify for additional state and federal funding tied to population, supporting local services, infrastructure and community programs. (Link)

• Arlington Heights: The village recently installed 861 solar panels on the roof of its Public Works facility, a project expected to generate cleaner energy, reduce utility costs and save nearly $1.5 million over the first 20 years. (Link)

A Thousand Tales - 522 W. Golf Road, Schaumburg - Turkish bakery and café serving pastries, breads, coffee, desserts and light bites.

Hugh’s Chophouse - 9 N. Vail Avenue, Arlington Heights - New steakhouse and American bistro expected to open this summer with steaks, chops, seafood, a bar and lounge/event space.

Shepherd’s Kitchen - Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Lake Barrington - New teaching kitchen offering cooking classes, nutrition education, culinary medicine programs and farm-to-table experiences.

Sims-Lohman - 20771 N. Rand Road, Kildeer - Home design and remodeling showroom offering cabinets, countertops and renovation resources.

Farmer’s Best Market - 413 N Milwaukee Ave, Vernon Hills - New 100,000-square-foot international grocery store featuring fresh produce, a large meat department, European bakery, sushi station and more.

Eden Vista Senior Living - 510 W Northwest Hwy, Barrington - Updated boutique-style assisted living and memory care community celebrating its grand reopening with personalized care in a cozy neighborhood setting.

Local Favorite: Dengeos

This week’s Northwest Eats spotlight goes to Dengeos, a longtime suburban favorite with locations in Buffalo Grove and Skokie.

Known for generous portions, affordable prices and a menu packed with Greek favorites, gyros, burgers, salads, chicken, ribs and more, Dengeos is one of those easy local spots that works for a quick lunch, family dinner or casual carryout night.

(My go to order is usually a Double Cheeseburger and a Polish Dog. Don’t judge me.)

Good food, fair prices and plenty of options, always a winning combo. (Link)

87th Annual Mount Prospect Lions Club Festival (Mount Prospect) | July 1st-5th | Fireworks 9–9:15 PM Approx (July 1st&4th) | Melas Park (Link)

50th Annual Frontier Days (Arlington Heights) | July 1st-5th | Drone Show: 9:35 PM 10–12 min (July 2nd) | Recreation Park (Link)

Northwest Fourth-Fest (Hoffman Estates) | July 1st-5th | Drone Show: 9:30 PM (July 4th) | Village Green (Link)

Elgin Fourth of July Parade + Pet parade & Celebration (Elgin) | July 4th | Parades: 9 AM | Fireworks: 9:20 PM | Parade starts at Douglas Ave & Slade Ave; Celebration at Festival Park (Link)

Barrington 4th of July Brat Tent Festival (Barrington) | July 1st-4th | Free | Wool Street Parking Lot (Link)

Bartlett 4th of July Festival (Bartlett) | July 2nd-5th | Free | Apple Orchard Park (Link)

Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest (Palatine) | July 2nd-5th | Community Park (Link)

Lincolnshire Red, White & Boom Festival (Lincolnshire) | July 3rd-4th | Free | North Park & Spring Lake Park (Link)

See All 4th of July Events

Turbo Turtle Race (Bartlett) | July 1st | Free to watch / $10 to adopt | 7 PM | Barracuda Bay Water Park (Link)

Ben Tatar and the Tatar Tots Kids Concert (Wheeling) | July 1st | Free | 5:30–7 PM | Performance Pavilion at Heritage Park (Link)

Art @ the Park (Elk Grove Village) | July 1st | age 4 – 10yrs. | Free | 3-5 PM | Jaycee Park (Link)

Live at the Lake: Des Plaines Community Concert Band (Des Plaines) | July 2nd | Free | 6-9 PM (Music at 7 PM) | Lake Park Bandshell (Link)

Summer Concert Series: Members Only (Buffalo Grove) | July 2nd | Free | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | Adriane Johnson Amphitheater at Mike Rylko Community Park (Link)

Thursday Nights Live: Electric Brew (Wheeling) | July 2nd | Free | 6:30 PM | The Wheeling Town Center (Link)

"The Music of Stephen Foster" Exhibition (Barrington) | July 3rd | Free | 2-3 PM | Barrington History Museum (Link)

Town Square Concert: Mellencougar (Schaumburg) | July 6th | Free | 6:45 PM - 8:15 PM | Town Square (Link)

View All Events

“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other."
— Walter Elliot