Basically for kids - not adults. Not much food either. Just want what I was expecting at all. Was…read moredying for a corn on the cob - had none.

We have been going to the scarecrow festival on and off for at least 20 years. This years was not…read moreat all like previous years. There are not as many scarecrows as in past years, and they are no longer displayed in the park. They are scattered around town in front of stores and restaurants. The craft fair was half the size it was in the past. In the past the vendors would be from all over the state, many were selling bought items. St. Charles has lots to offer, but this fest could not compare to previous ones.

This is a real hidden gem in the Western Suburbs…read more If you pre register , Wednesdays are free parking ! Easy to walk on paved trails,the Fall Displays are beautiful especially in mid October. Plenty of parking is available.

Cantigny Park is basically therapy with better landscaping…read more One of my favorite things about this place is that it somehow manages to be both incredibly family friendly and peaceful at the same time. There's tons of space for kids to run around, explore, and burn off energy without feeling crowded or chaotic. And if you need a little reset yourself, there's always a quiet corner waiting for you. Whether it's a walking path, a bench, or just a peaceful stretch of the gardens, it's one of those rare places where you can step away, clear your head, and just breathe for a while. Beautiful grounds, relaxing atmosphere, and something for everyone. I came for a walk and left feeling lighter. Cantigny really is a little escape hiding in plain sight.

This was a fantastic art fair! Apparently St. Charles has hosted this event for almost three…read moredecades, but I don't think I've ever heard of it before--even when I lived here for a brief period, just a few blocks away. But luckily I learned about it now; it takes place every year on Memorial Day weekend. It's going on my calendar to visit annually. This festival is a juried show, so all the artists are of really high caliber. You'll find just about every genre represented here. I didn't actually come intending to spend any money, but the joke was on me and I happily parted with some cash. I bought a few pieces of garden art from two different booths. One artist named Debbie Radke makes outdoor art pieces made primarily of copper, sometimes with glass balls or beads or other ornamentation included, and I found of hers I like; the next door booth also had pieces for outdoors, and I got a few pieces of blown glass art that along with the copper piece will look lovely in my yard. A jeweler who was exhibiting had some really unique pieces that were double sided. Not all of them, but a good number. You know how when you wear a necklace it often gets flipped around? Well, Eye Candy by Amy (@eyecandybyamy--check her out) makes some pieces that can be worn either way. Really so cool, something I've never seen before. I bought a different piece from her but will be keeping an eye on her insta for what other creations she comes up with. If only I had an unlimited bank account I could have continued buying. There was an artist whose medium is watercolor felting; another who does something called pulp painting; painting on birch bark; a chair maker; an artist who makes hinged rings that will fit over arthritic knuckles. And of course those are just the more unusual of the art. There was no entrance fee to the show, which was nice. They had an activity area where kids could create, and there was also a demo going on nearby--when we were here, there was a woman on a loom, and I don't think I've ever actually seen anyone use a loom before. They also have a car that people can paint, and there was a little boy who was having a blast doing just that. They had some partnership with the Arcada Theatre called "Artcada", where if you spent $350 or more you could visit the Information booth and claim a voucher for tickets to a show at the Arcada. And something I thought was especially cool was that they had free reusable bottles of water (they are in aluminum bottles, so reusable) that has as the label a painting by a local student. Really cool and clever idea (and they had a water refill station, and even a water bowl set out for the pups wandering round). Parking is okay; though we had to go around a couple times we found a spot in the city parking complex about a block away and it was free. There's also street parking around.

It's a wonderful way to spend time outdoors and enjoy different types of art. Wide price range…read morewhich works out great! We come every year!

This is my favorite festival every year, and I'm always so excited to go again! It's held in Good…read moreTemplar Park, which is not typically open to the public, and people open up their cottages, many built in the 1930s, as little "shops", so you can both see the cottages and do some shopping. Since Geneva was founded by Swedes and many people who historically had/have cottages (stugas in Swedish) here are of Scandinavian descent, you will see many Dala horses, vikings, gnomes, as well as yarn craft, jewelry, woodworking, candles, vintage books, ornaments, and more. One cottage today had demonstrations by rosemaling painters, the traditional Norwegian painting style often seen on wooden plates, trunks, furniture and other items. I was fortunate to speak with Lynn, who told me about her process (her motto was "Exhale and feel your passion for painting"; she also said not to hold the brush like a pen, in that there is no pressure on it, just guide it. She triple loaded paint colors onto a small flat paint brush and said she makes designs shaped like Ss and Cc, and that there are "no mistakes," if a kid bumps the table or something it can always be fixed or changed.) Another artist whose art you will encounter everywhere at this event is Kathy McPartland; her whimsical gnomes, Dala horses and flowers are on the fliers and signage for the festival, and you can buy her cards, books and prints at this fair. Tina Druce-Hoffman was another artist present who makes beautiful intaglio prints, including a limited edition one for the event. They have added extra vendors in tents around the park, which was something new this year. Overall, I will always come back to this charming event.

So unique! Tiny little cottages in a wooded area along a…read morecreek. Some are private residences but about 20 of them are opened for sale of arts and crafts. $8 to enter in 2018. We had no ideas what Templar's were. Good lessons from the past.

Located across the street from the Kane County Courthouse is the Geneva History Museum. This museum…read moredoes a wonderful job of telling the history of Geneva. One exhibit is dedicated to the exploring history of Geneva from its founding to the present. I loved seeing all of the artifacts and displays in there. Even though I am not a resident of Geneva there were items in the gallery that I recognized. There is are two other rotating exhibits with one being dedicated to educating children. There is an admission fee to enter and a gift shop as well. I wish I had time to see more. This is diffidently a museum that I would like to come back to and see more. I highly recommend the Geneva History Museum!

Sandi and I went down to see what was happening in Geneva for Swedish Days. I hoped that they would…read morehave a special exhibit for the Swedish Days Festival. The museum did not change its course by adding a special exhibit. I enjoyed learning more about Geneva and Hat has been important over the years. The receptionist greeted us warmly. The main historical room gave an overview of the history of the city. The interactive children's with train was enjoyable. The art gallery filled with paintings by local artists was enjoyable. You can even purchase the portraits. On the lower level you can find a genealogy room. If you are new to Geneva and want to learn more about this city check it out.

We've been to Swedish Days in the past and found it to be your above average town festival. Plenty…read moreof vendors, food, drinks, rides and carnival games, etc. Today however, we went to the Swedish Day parade..our first time seeing this part of the festival. The route runs through three different roads and lasted a good 2 hrs. They featured a good number of high school bands and other lively entertainment, including a ton of Shriners. Our favorite was a South Side performance group and the Jesse White Tumblers. Neither disappoint. We went with a large group of of friends who corded off and staked a tent for our groups use. If you're going with a large group you'll want to arrive early and do the same, as the parade route gets pretty packed. Cheers.

I gotta say, Swedish Days was A LOT more fun than I anticipated!…read more Geneva to me is sorta a new discovery. I have only been frequenting downtown Geneva for the past 3 years or so, clearly because I live under a rock. My Fiance and I love to walk up and down 3rd St., visit the shops, stop for some good food and eat some delicious sweets. And Swedish Days takes every aspect of this quaint downtown, puts a carnival in it, some good music and a touch of small town to bring Swedish Days together. After this year I can easily say I would not frequenting Swedish Days just like the MANY people I met there from the area and even from out of state!

The Midsummer Festival is one of two events during the year when the public can visit Good Templar…read morePark (the other is Cottages in the Woods in October). This event is bigger, both space-wise and number of people. There were events such as a lutefisk toss(!), the Maypole dance, exhibits of Viking warriors, an Icelandic horse with unusual ice blue eyes, some vendors of Scandinavian crafts, food (unlike in the fall when it's pretty much just baked goods, they had Swedish meatballs and yes, lutefisk as well as lingonberry lemonade; the baked goods sold out fast!) You can also take tours of some of the cottages; I've been to the fall event three times but never knew that there were more across the creek! This is also when the Viking ship is open to the public without making a private tour reservation. We bypassed the lecture, since it involved sitting in full sun at the heat of the day, and just latched onto the end of the last group, reading the signs to learn about its history. Since things are rather spread out, this did involve a good bit of walking, but I applaud them for their considerations of people with disabilities. There were golf carts running people to and from the main area to the Viking ship, which is up by the road, and when we took the cottage walk, in the group was me with a cane and another lady with a rollater, and the tour leader considered which paths would be best for us. It's outdoors so you will obviously encounter some roots, bumps, and such in the natural terrain. Overall, this was a fun summery event in Geneva!

There are/have been several mini Renaissance and fantasy festivals at Vasa Park over the recent…read moreyears, and Faeries of the Forest strikes a nice balance of "enough but not too much". It's not too expensive to get in; there are a variety of vendors selling everything from art to jewelry to tea to tarot readings; there was an array of musicians including the Harp Twins and the Secrets of the Beehive. It was also fun that lots of people were dressed in costumes/garb! Overall, a lot of whimsical fun; would return!