Beautiful bouquet of alstroemeria in a vase with water, white cup of tea, greeting card with the inscription happy mother's day.
By Brian R. Brown
Looking for Mother's Day brunches and other ideas for Mother's Day? Be sure to check out our special McHenry County Mother's Day Guide for ways to celebrate that special someone called mom.
Man fishing along the bank.
By Brian R. Brown
If your favorite question is "how are they biting today," then we think you'll enjoy our new McHenry County Fishing Guide. Whether you prefer to keep your feet on solid ground or sitting in a boat, our guide has a fishing spot for you to try.
Spectators taking in the cars at the car show.
By Brian R. Brown
Get your engine running with our guide to car shows & cruise nights all around McHenry County! From one-off events to recurring shows, we've pulled together a collection car events that will satisfy your inner car enthusiast.
Border collie running with frisbee.
By Brian R. Brown
Looking for a place for Fido or Fifi to play? Our McHenry County Dog Parks Guide has the scoop on the local dog parks, including addresses, maps, contact details, and links to more details on the host websites.
Person holding pickleball paddle and ball.
By Brian R. Brown
Ready to get pickled?! Calling all picklers and pickleball curious. Looking for a pickleball court near you? We've got you covered in our newest guide.
Plastic Easter eggs on lawn.
By Brian R. Brown
Grab your Easter baskets and get ready to hunt Easter eggs, snap a photo with the Easter Bunny, or even have breakfast with the Bunny! And we're here to help you find those eggs with our Easter Egg Hunt Guide for McHenry County!
Hiking teens.
By Brian R. Brown
Turn off the TV and game system, put away the phone! Summer is for fun and adventure, and our Summer Camps Guide for McHenry County is your map for summer memories.
Man on a snowmobile.
By Brian R. Brown
Grab your sled and get ready to hit the trails! No, not that sled...the big one! If you are itching to hit those white trails, be sure to check our guide for snowmobiling trails in McHenry County.
Group of people ice skating.
By Brian R. Brown
If you've been itching to lace up those skates and get out on the ice, then you're in luck. Before you head out, be sure to check our guide for local McHenry County ice skating rinks.
Woman handling packaged food in a cardboard box.
By Brian R. Brown
We've compiled a guide for McHenry County food pantries, broken out by city. No one in our community should have to battle hunger. We hope this guide will prove helpful if you yourself or someone you know needs to utilize these services, or if you would like to help out
Girl sitting in back of car with netted tree for Christmas.
By Brian R. Brown
Whether you've ever had a real Christmas tree or not, our guide is here to help you navigate the challenges of having real trees. Be sure to check out our list of local Christmas tree farms.
Crowd thinning after the tree lighting ceremony.
By Brian R. Brown
Come along as we journey to the McHenry Christmas Tree Lighting in Veteran's Memorial Park. It was a great afternoon and evening with pretty perfect weather!
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.
Bundles of carrots.
By Brian R. Brown
Know what's always in season in McHenry County? Farmers' markets! Check out our complete 2023 McHenry County Farmers Market Guide for information on local farmer markets. We provide dates, times, locations, as well as additional information and links for the individual farmer markets.
Trunk or treat event with people in costumes.
By Brian R. Brown
Looking for Trunk-or-Treat fun in McHenry County? Look no further as our guide details trunk or treat, as well as other treating fun events all across the county.
Tiny tomatoes.
By Brian R. Brown
Celebrate this year's National Farmers Market Week by visiting the amazing local farmers markets that we have here in McHenry County.
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!
Audience sitting on park lawn.
By Brian R. Brown
Concerts in the Park season is upon us. From summer to fall, McHenry County is full of outdoor live music options. And if you're looking for your next concert, our Concerts in the Park guide is ready.
The basement room in the library is more about fun, games, and hanging out.
By Brian R. Brown
River East Public Library may be the smallest library in the county, but they also have a few things that no other library in the area has to offer.
Rows of chairs line the magazine and periodicals area.
By Brian R. Brown
Journey up, or down, Route 31 to the McHenry Public Library for a tour of the resources they have to offer as well as some unique programs.
Library Lovers Expedition 2023 banner.
By Brian R. Brown
Join the Library Lovers Expedition by taking a tour of 13 local libraries and get enter into a drawing for one of several amazing gift baskets.
Ford pickup.
By Brian R. Brown
What do you get when you combine vintage classic cars with trick-or-treaters? Perhaps the wildest car show or most unique trunk or treat you've ever seen.
McHenry Metra station.
By Brian R. Brown
If you like tacos and trains, have we got a train station for you! The McHenry Metra station can claim to have both, although, probably more tacos than trains.
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
Lighted and decorated gazebo.
By Brian R. Brown
Like a step back in time, enjoy the simple and classic holiday lighting of Veteran's Memorial Park. Just add snow!
House with Christmas lights and outdoor decorations.
By Brian R. Brown
Are you looking for holiday and Christmas light displays? We've pulled together a list spanning McHenry County to help you get started on your journey! And we welcome any that you think should be on our list too!
By Brian R. Brown
Announcing the winners of our Great McHenry Life Directory Drive Giveaway! Check out the four amazing McHenry County businesses that won our $1,000 giveaway!
Foxy's storefront and logo.
By Brian R. Brown
Because everyone deserves a little pampering! Join me as I sit down with the mother and daughter team behind Foxy's, who are bringing clean and organic bath and beauty products, along with some vintage furniture and decor, to McHenry.
Wings, Chicken Philly Cheesesteak, and Vegetarian Lentil Tortilla soup from Just Crock It.
By Brian R. Brown
Grab a cup or glass of your favorite beverage, cozy up in your favorite spot, and get ready for a fascinating Spotlight Story. Our very first Spotlight Story has me sitting down in McHenry with Maggie, the stay home mom of two, turned startup founder of Just Crock It. Hear
Fishing at the McHenry Dam
By Jill Kocher Brown
McHenry Dam, nestled in the southwest corner of Moraine Hills State Park, is a large and peaceful destination in itself. With the quiet roar of the dam in the background and stand of large, dense trees, the dam offers a lovely place to relax for fishermen and picnickers alike. Moraine
Tomatoes at Crystal Lake Farmer's Market
By Jill Kocher Brown
Thanks to local farmers markets, a trip to the farm for fresh produce, meets, cheeses, and other goodies is often just a short drive away.