Antique fire engine.
By Brian R. Brown
Bundle up the little ones and head for your closest parade route to welcome in the Christmas season! Here's our guide to the local Christmas parades happening around McHenry County.
Crystal Lake Christmas tree.
By Brian R. Brown
Looking for Christmas Tree Lighting near you? Craving a holiday light display or show? We've got you covered...at least if you're in McHenry County. Check out our guide to the Christmas tree lighting events & holiday light displays around McHenry County.
Santa taking a selfie
By Brian R. Brown
He knows whether you've been naughty or nice, but here's a last chance to put in a good word! Grab the kids and check our guide for snapping some pictures with Santa.
Kids and parents riding in the pumpkin barrels.
By Brian R. Brown
Perfect weather marked the 30th annual Johnny Appleseed Festival, and what may have been the one of the biggest ones yet.
2022 Cary Summer Celebration fireworks.
By Brian R. Brown
Get all your McHenry County July 4th fireworks show information in our newest guide. We've also added parade and festival information. We have details on dates, times, locations, maps, and more. Plan your Independence Day festivities now!
Spotted by a death eater.
By Brian R. Brown
Explore the magic as Witches & Wizards of Woodstock returns once again to serve up magic, fantasy, and fun for all.
Stilts juggler posing for photos.
By Brian R. Brown
Johnny Appleseed made his appearance again in downtown Crystal Lake for the Johnny Appleseed Festival, and brought some amazing weather with him. Until next year, here are some photos to tide you over!
Art on the Fox booths and shoppers.
By Brian R. Brown
Art on the Fox brought in artists and artisans from within McHenry County and beyond the state line. If you didn't make it, take a look at what you missed and you might even want to trakc down a few artists or artisans who catch your eye!
Cliff Hanger ride raised up in the air.
By Brian R. Brown
Closing out summer with a trip to the Lake in the Hills annual Summer Sunset Festival. We checked out the carnival on Sunday and fun times were had! If you didn't make it, check out our photos to see what you missed.
By Brian R. Brown
Grab your green and get your Irish on to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! And what better way to do it than by heading to the McHenry ShamRocks the Fox. If you didn't brave the cold, here are some photos of the parade and the river to tide you over till
Santa talking with young parade-goer.
By Brian R. Brown
It was wet, but it was merry and very worth standing out in the cold. If you weren't able to make it out for the Merry Cary Holiday Parade & Festival, click along to see what you missed.
One and only Steve McPhail, portraying Johnny Appleseed.
By Brian R. Brown
Downtown Crystal Lake always knows how to signal the return of fall with the annual Johnny Appleseed Festival; this year celebrating 28 years! If you missed it, we've got a taste for you here!
Gavers Community Cancer Foundation grant check to Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund at Rush University Medical Center.
By Brian R. Brown
Steve Gavers is a cancer warrior. What follows is not only his Spotlight Story, but the story of his survivorship which lead to the Gavers Barndance and the Gavers Community Cancer Foundation...which has profoundly impacted the community.
Harms Farms pumpkin train at Johnny Appleseed Festival in Crystal Lake, IL
By Jill Kocher Brown
The Johnny Appleseed Festival celebrates the legacy of Johnny Appleseed, a famously kind and generous pioneer nurseryman who traveled the eastern Midwest in the early 1800s spreading apple trees and his religion along the way. We had our own visit from Johnny, a jolly man who talked to all the