patrick.oconnor@ampf.com ameripriseadvisors.com/ patrick.oconnor
What a Ride it Has Been
It started with a sign. In January 2023, feeling the fatigue of a 30-year corporate career, and considering my next chapter, my wife and I went on a long-overdue vacation. At a resort dinner, we became acquainted with a couple across the table; the husband happened to recruit publishers for local magazines. That chance encounter completely transformed my life.
By the end of February I committed to becoming a local franchise owner for Crystal Lake City Lifestyle. In the months that followed, I met Patti Noble, and was drawn to her passion and dedication to the community. Together, we agreed to move forward and grant each other the opportunity to learn as we went.
I began building partnerships with local business owners and managers who gave me the confidence to move forward. I hold deep gratitude for those first advertising partners who trusted me.
In October 2023, Crystal Lake City Lifestyle launched. From the start, our community has embraced us. We have grown our talented team to include writers Katie Bobrow and Klaudia Burian, and photographers David Bradburn and Sharmila Taylor.
This magazine became a passport to a vibrant civic life. It's been an honor to serve on both the Crystal Lake and Huntley Chamber boards and committees, graduate from Leadership Greater McHenry County, judge marketing challenges, and serve as a Marshall for the Crystal Lake 4th of July parade. To be named the Huntley Chamber’s Rookie of the Year and receive the Pride of Crystal Lake award are honors I will always cherish. Most of all, I am grateful for the inspiring business owners and leaders I’ve had the privilege to meet.
While I am excited to continue this adventure, it is time to pass the baton and allow someone else to experience this incredible journey. I am thrilled to introduce Tracey Joyce as your new publisher. A long-time McHenry County resident with deep local roots, Tracey is perfectly suited to steer the ship. The transition will be seamless: Patti, Katie, Klaudia, David, Sharmila, and I will all remain on board to support the magazine’s mission.
I am immensely proud of what our team has built. Thank you to our partners for your trust, to our readers for your enthusiasm, and to our team for your unmatched passion. The road isn’t ending for me; it is simply evolving.
Cheers to McHenry County—an extraordinary place to live, work, and raise a family!
July 2026
PUBLISHER
Steve Rogers | steve.rogers@citylifestyle.com
CO-PUBLISHER
Tracey Joyce | tracey.joyce@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Patti Noble | patti.noble@citylifestyle.com
STAFF WRITER
Katie Bobrow | katie.bobrow@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Katie Bobrow, Klaudia Burian
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Sharmila Taylor, David Bradburn
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Kolich
LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell
Learn
STEVE ROGERS, PUBLISHER @CRYSTALLAKECITYLIFESTYLE
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: The community showed up to welcome Kelleher + Holland to downtown Crystal Lake. 2—3: Independence Health & Therapy hosted a multi-chamber mixer to introduce their new Daybreak Lounge where caregivers can bring their family members for respite time. 4: Celebrating the beautiful, new public gathering space and art installation at Water’s Edge 5: Publisher Steve Rogers and advertising partner Ted Orzehoskie celebrate with Chamber staff at their annual golf outing. 6: Jack Bice, 18, celebrates his hole-in-one on the BMW-sponsored challenge hole with his parents. 7: It was a beautiful day for biking at Family Health Partnership Clinic’s 6th annual Pedalpalooza
Want to be seen in the magazine?
KATIE SINDE
Real Estate Report
Recently Sold Properties in the Crystal Lake Area
5/20/2026
5/7/2026 4/30/2026
3/2/2026
3/6/2026
3/31/2026
3/4/2026
4/27/2026
business monthly
Top Notch Automotive Repair opens new location in Woodstock
As a locally owned and operated shop, Top Notch Automotive is proud to provide drivers throughout McHenry County dependable auto repair and customer service. Recently, doors have opened on its second location at 1216 Davis Road in Woodstock. Along with the original Crystal Lake location, Top Notch Automotive Woodstock is committed to providing honest service and quality workmanship for each and every customer.
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Culinary team member earns award at Huntley Springs Retirement Resort
Huntley Springs Retirement Resort proudly announces Nadia Helland as this year’s recipient of the Ron Herron Service From the Heart Award. As a valued member of the culinary team, she goes above and beyond to make residents feel cared for, seen, and appreciated––greeting each resident by name, listening with compassion, and offering simple acts of kindness. Her servant heart and dedication beautifully reflect the legacy of Ron Herron and the spirit of this meaningful honor.
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CertaPro Painters returns to Crystal Lake
CertaPro Painters of McHenry is excited to be back in Crystal Lake with a new office off Erick Street. With over 25 years experience in the Northwest Suburbs, their team helps homeowners and businesses transform and protect their properties with expert interior and exterior painting services. From the initial consultation to the final walkthrough, they pride themselves in their commitment to professionalism, clear communication, and outstanding results.
SKILLS THAT STRENGTHEN YOUR BUSINESS
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Additional certificates and degrees are available. For more information, contact:
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Business Management and Marketing Faculty and Chair sridge@mchenry.edu | (815) 479-7682
Rooted in Relationships
The family values behind one local company’s lasting success
ARTICLE BY PATTI NOBLE | PHOTOGRAPHY
BY SHARMILA TAYLOR
A Family Business. We all know one.
Maybe it’s the ice cream shop where kids scoop and swirl cones all summer. The neighborhood diner where generations work side by side. The business where customers become regulars, and regulars eventually become friends.
Family businesses carry their own kind of personality. They are often built on trust, loyalty and long hours shared together. Sometimes they come with stereotypes, too — about mixing business with personal life or never quite separating work from home.
But for the Francos, family isn't simply part of the business. In many ways, family is the business.
Within the first few minutes spent with the family behind WeatherWise Heating & Cooling, that becomes abundantly clear. There is an ease about the father and son when they communicate— genuinely laughing together and finishing one another’s sentences. Their closeness isn’t something reserved for holidays or just for show, but instead woven into the fabric of this family with Sicilian roots. Brandon Franco describes his younger sister Cassidy as his best friend. She stood beside him as his "Best Wo-man" on his wedding day, while he served as her "Man of Honor" on hers. Their spouses have become close friends. Their daughters were born just months apart and are already growing up together.
Parents, Frank and Dawn, were (and continue to be) their role models, teaching their children that helping others wasn't simply something you did occasionally—it was a way of life. "We treat every person like family," Brandon said. "I think that stems from the values my folks instilled in us as children."
Brandon recalls watching his parents willingly give to others, even when it required sacrifice of their own. "When that's the standard that's set, you try to emulate that and pass that way of thinking down from generation to generation," he said.
Those same values have shaped both the family and the company for decades.
In an industry where homeowners often call when something has already gone wrong, trust becomes one of the most valuable services a company can provide. “Whether a family is facing a furnace failure during a January cold snap or trying to decide whether to repair or replace an aging air conditioning system, those decisions can feel stressful and overwhelming,” Frank shared.
WeatherWise has built its reputation by helping customers navigate those moments with honesty and transparency. The company's goal isn't simply to fix equipment; it's to help people make informed decisions about the comfort and safety of their homes.
Long before WeatherWise Heating & Cooling opened its doors in 2010, the Francos were deeply rooted in the community, building relationships. Frank and Dawn raised the children here. Brandon and Cassidy attended local schools, participated in youth sports, and formed friendships that have lasted into adulthood.
Today, many of those same connections remain part of the company's story. Customers are often neighbors, former classmates, fellow parents, and longtime community members. That familiarity creates a level of trust that can't be manufactured through advertising or marketing campaigns.
That local connection has become one of WeatherWise's greatest strengths. The company serves many of the same families who attended school events, sat in the same bleachers, and supported the same community organizations as the Francos. In an industry where trust matters, those longstanding relationships have helped them build a loyal customer base throughout the area.
When Dawn was diagnosed with cancer in 2008, the Franco couple made a decision that reinforced the family's priorities. At the time, they were the owners of a highly successful HVAC company. They sold that ownership stake and stepped away from the business to focus on what mattered most: Family. Fortunately, Dawn's story became one of survival and recovery, and today she continues to thrive.
Two years later, Frank launched WeatherWise Heating & Cooling, and what began as a new chapter eventually became a family endeavor, although not exactly as planned.
After earning both his undergraduate degree and MBA, Brandon pursued a corporate career and had no plans to join the family business. When he first began helping at WeatherWise in 2018, it was simply that—helping. He modernized marketing efforts, introduced digital tools and lent a hand wherever needed. What started as a temporary role gradually became something more. A shared passion.
As Brandon spent time with customers, technicians, and the day-to-day operations of the business, he found himself drawn not only to the HVAC industry but to the impact the company could have on people's lives. From restoring heat during a frigid Illinois winter to helping families improve comfort, efficiency, and indoor air quality, the work carried a deeper purpose than he expected.
Today, Brandon plays a key leadership role within the company and is helping shape its future. But more importantly, he is helping preserve the culture his parents created––extending well beyond the Franco family. He hopes WeatherWise can help elevate perceptions of the skilled trades and create opportunities for people to build meaningful, rewarding careers.
Brandon's vision is to make WeatherWise one of the best places to build a career in the skilled trades. He wants employees to feel valued, supported and appreciated—not simply as workers, but as people. “We want our team to feel like family,” he said.
Having witnessed firsthand how the trades provided stability and opportunity for his own family, he wants WeatherWise to become a place where employees can build successful futures for their own families as well.
That philosophy shows up in ways both large and small. Each month, the company recognizes an "Employee of the Moment"—not necessarily the highest producer or most skilled technician, but the team member who best exemplifies what they call "The WeatherWise Way." The recognition celebrates professionalism, dependability and a willingness to go the extra mile for coworkers and customers alike. The honoree is recognized during the company's monthly Town Hall meeting and rewarded with the opportunity to spin the company's popular "Wheel of WonderWise," filled with prizes from local businesses.
It's a simple concept, but one that reflects the company's larger philosophy: when people feel valued, everyone benefits. While relationships may be the company's foundation, WeatherWise has never relied solely on goodwill to earn its reputation.
The team continues to invest heavily in technology and training, utilizing advanced tools for diagnostics, estimating, communication and system analysis. These innovations allow technicians to identify problems more efficiently, provide accurate recommendations and create a smoother experience for homeowners. The result is
a company that feels personal and approachable while operating with the capabilities of a much larger organization.
It's a balance that reflects the company's overall philosophy: combining old-fashioned customer care with modern expertise. Behind the family atmosphere is a team committed to staying at the forefront of its industry.
Perhaps that's what makes this business so unique, resonates so deeply with customers, and explains why WeatherWise Heating & Cooling has become such a trusted name in the community. Customers know they will receive the latest expertise and technology, but they also know they'll be treated like people, not account numbers.
In a world where many service experiences feel increasingly impersonal, that distinction matters. The company combines something increasingly rare—a deeply personal approach to business—with the expertise and innovation customers expect from a modern HVAC provider.
For the Francos, success isn’t measured solely by the number of systems installed or service calls completed. It's measured in relationships—employees who build careers, customers who become lifelong advocates and a community that has supported the family for decades.
At WeatherWise Heating & Cooling, technical expertise and personal connection go hand in hand. The same values that shape the Franco family—trust, integrity and genuine care for others— also shape the customer experience. In the end, that's what has built not just a successful company, but a lasting reputation.
NOW OFFERING PSYCHIATRY & MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
We are excited to announce the addition of psychiatric & medication management services to our practice. This expansion allows us to provide a more integrated, collaborative approach of personalized and professional care for children, adolescents, and adults. Whether you are navigating anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, life transitions, or health-related stress, our team offers personalized, evidenced-based treatment in a warm and welcoming private practice setting.
EXPANDED CLINICAL SERVICES WILL INCLUDE:
• Diagnostic Evaluation
Medication Management
Coordination With Existing Therapists & Providers
• Evidence-Based Treatment
MORE THAN A FEST
When a small ice cream social becomes so much more
ARTICLE BY KATIE BOBROW
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
Most people in Crystal Lake know the Dole Mansion. Some know it as the home of Lakeside Fest. Others visit for the Farmers Market+, art events, classes, or community gatherings. Many have admired the stately mansion from across the lawn, framed by towering oak trees and overlooking the lake that gave Crystal Lake its name.
“For nearly five decades, Lakeside Fest has been a summertime tradition in Crystal Lake, but its roots are surprisingly modest.”
What many may not realize is just how many lives the property has lived. Or how closely its future has become tied to one beloved summer tradition.
Built in 1865 by grain baron and ice harvester Charles Sydney Dole, the mansion began as an elegant summer estate on the shores of Crystal Lake. At a time when harvesting lake ice was a thriving industry, the Dole family helped shape the early identity of the growing community.
As industries changed and the Dole family moved on, the property entered a new chapter. In 1922, Eliza “Lou” Ringling, widow of circus magnate Al Ringling, purchased the mansion and surrounding acreage. A visionary businesswoman, Lou transformed the estate into the Crystal Lake Country Club, adding guest rooms, a ballroom, golf courses, riding stables, and other amenities that made the property a destination for recreation and social life.
Over the decades, the property changed hands several times. It served as a school, a seminary, and eventually became home to First Congregational Church. By the late 1970s, the church was operating Friendship House, a nonprofit childcare center serving local families, from the property and working to maintain the aging estate.
It was during that period that a simple idea took root.
For nearly five decades, Lakeside Fest has been a summertime tradition in Crystal Lake, but its roots are surprisingly modest. What began in 1979 as a small ice cream social hosted by First Congregational Church on the grounds of the Dole Mansion was simply a way to bring people together and support the upkeep of the historic property.
There were no carnival rides. No concert stages. No beer tents.
“It was an ice cream social. Very small. Hundreds of people, not thousands. No bands or alcohol, and no food other than ice cream,” recalled longtime organizers, and current Dole Board Members, Ron Russell and Chip Whitman.
The gathering reflected the church’s mission at the time. Families connected through Friendship House, church members, and neighbors came together on the lawn overlooking Crystal Lake.
“FCC owned the property at the time and operated Friendship House,” they said. “There were many families that sent their kids, and it was a nice gathering of parents and churchgoers.”
Nobody involved was trying to build a major festival.
“They really were not thinking about a large festival initially,” Ron and Chip said.
The event was simple. Volunteers set up folding tables. Families spread out blankets beneath the trees. Children played on the lawn while neighbors caught up with one another. It felt less like a festival and more like a community picnic.
Yet year after year, people kept coming.
The ice cream social gradually grew. More activities were added. Attendance increased. What started as a church fundraiser slowly evolved into something larger, though it never lost its community-centered roots.
As the festival grew, so did the challenges facing the Dole Mansion.
Maintaining a historic property is expensive, and the future of the estate was not always certain. The turning point came in the early 2000s when the property faced possible redevelopment. Community members rallied to save the mansion, forming what would become the Lakeside Legacy Foundation.
Suddenly, Lakeside Fest represented something more than a summer tradition. It had become part of the effort to preserve one of Crystal Lake’s most important historic landmarks. Today, the connection between the festival and the Dole is stronger than ever.
The Dole now operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and has evolved into a recognized cultural arts hub and community center serving Crystal Lake and the surrounding region. Revenue generated through Lakeside Fest helps support preservation efforts, programming, and ongoing improvements throughout the property.
What was once a struggling historic estate has become a vibrant community destination.
Recent restoration projects have brought the mansion’s second floor back to life, preserving important pieces of the building’s history while making them accessible for future generations. Another notable addition is Lou’s Lounge, a stylish gathering space named in honor of Eliza “Lou” Ringling. Located within a portion of the former country club addition, the space pays tribute to the property’s colorful past while creating a new place for people to gather and connect. A full bar, small bites, and live music offer a swanky nod to the glittery past.
For Dole Board President Jay LeCoque, that balance between preservation and community use is essential.
“Preservation and relevance are not competing goals, they strengthen each other. We have a responsibility to protect the Dole Mansion and its history, but we also have a responsibility to ensure the property remains active, accessible, and meaningful to today’s community,” he said.
Today, the Dole is home to artist studios, galleries, classes, community events, nonprofit partnerships, and cultural programming that serves thousands of people throughout the year. Yet the mission remains remarkably similar to the one that inspired the first ice cream social decades ago: bringing people together.
Lakeside Fest continues to be the organization’s largest annual fundraiser and its most visible expression of that mission.
This year, thousands of visitors will once again gather on the same lawn where church families once shared ice cream beneath the trees. There will be live music, carnival rides, food vendors, family activities, and plenty of opportunities to reconnect with friends and neighbors.
Most attendees will come for a good time.
What they may not realize is that every ticket purchased, every wristband sold, and every visit to the festival helps support something much bigger.
It helps preserve a 160-year-old landmark. It helps fund arts and cultural programming. It helps maintain a community gathering place that has served Crystal Lake in one form or another for generations.
And it ensures that the story of the Dole Mansion continues.
If the walls of the Dole could talk, they would tell stories of grand summer parties, country club dances, church gatherings, community meetings, artists at work, and families making memories on the lawn.
For nearly fifty years, Lakeside Fest has become part of that story.
What began with a few hundred people sharing ice cream on a summer afternoon has grown into one of McHenry County’s signature events. More importantly, it has helped ensure that one of Crystal Lake’s most treasured places remains alive, active, and welcoming for generations to come.
Photo by: Mike Brunetti
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
The 10% Target Mindset
Jen Cohen ON THE PRACTICE OF ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT
Winnipeg in the winter, and a 17-year-old waits 45 minutes in the cold for Keanu Reeves. Her fingers are numb. She is not there for an autograph. She is there to ask him to appear in her audition tape for MuchMusic, Canada’s MTV. When he finally agrees, she writes her number on a gum wrapper with a borrowed lip liner.
He calls days later.
That 17-year-old was Jen Cohen — fitness expert, host of the Habits & Hustle podcast, and best-selling author. She has built a career on the premise her frostbitten afternoon proved. She calls the practice the 10% Target: 10 attempts at whatever you want most in life.
The premise is simple. Most people never make one attempt. Almost nobody makes two. The math works in favor of the person who keeps going.
The top-rated Habits & Hustle podcast has logged hundreds of conversations with high performers and the people who study what the body does to the mind. Her TEDx talk, The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life, has traveled widely inside Fortune 500 sales-training rooms. On the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Cohen sits down to share the working rules that are the foundation of her latest book, Bigger, Better, Bolder.
“You have to be the CEO of your own life.”
FEATURING JEN COHEN
Discover the full 10% Target Mindset framework.
1 2
MAKE TEN ATTEMPTS
The door opens, or another door does. The unmade attempt and the refused one leave you in the same place — except one of them teaches you something.
STACK THE DECK
Cohen frames her habits as a wager: How do I stack the deck so I win more than I lose? The workout happens first, and the food decisions follow. The email follow-up gets sent, and the answer arrives. The choices compound in a single direction.
3
DISCIPLINE IS A PRACTICED SKILL, NOT AN INHERITANCE
No one is born with it. The people who look disciplined are running a routine they have rehearsed long enough that it no longer feels like effort. The reps are the skill. Miss them, and the skill fades, the same as any other.
4
SELF-TALK ONLY WORKS WHEN THE BODY BACKS IT UP
Confidence does not arrive by repeating the word. It arrives after the body has done the thing — the workout finished, the cold walk endured, the email sent. The mind takes its cues from what the body proves it can do. Talk follows action, not the other way around.
5
NEVER MISS A MONDAY
The first decision sets the slope of the rest. Skip the Monday workout, and the rest of the week tends to follow. Hold the line on Monday, and the slope tilts the other way.
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CAREGIVER STRES S IS REAL
Up to 70% of caregivers experience burnout - you ’ re not alone
Caring for a loved one is an act of love, but it can also be overwhelming.
If you’re feeling exhausted, stressed, or burned out, you’re not alone.
When you prioritize your well-being, you can show up strong er for the ones you love.
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
Take a break. Know your limits. Ask for support.
You deserve care too.
THE ADVENTURE YOUR Hungry Heart IS SEEKING
Off the beaten path, Antigua, Guatemala can imprint a feeling unlike any place on earth
ARTICLE BY KLAUDIA BURIAN
Antigua, Guatemala is a bustling destination for culture, hiking, culinary artists, and vibrant markets. It’s known as the land of perpetual spring and is a renowned UNESCO World Heritage site with exceptionally preserved Spanish colonial architecture and 17th century historic church ruins, all flanked by three volcanoes (Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango).
It's what a dreamer would imagine as a true melting pot—lovers, artists, expats—all vibing with reverence for spirit, land, and history.
Along the cobblestone streets, it's common to spot a local family effortlessly passing by, with a baby nestled peacefully against her mother's chest, sleeping soundly as the world moves around her. Further along, a lone abuela (grandmother figure) wrapped in a hand woven dress, sits carved into a corner praying or selling trinkets. The Acatenango volcano watches over all of it, her presence ominous and sacred. Mysterious, captivating, and impossible to forget. A reminder that some places still feel wonderfully untamed and unlike anywhere else.
It smells like cocoa, flowers, and freshly fried chicharrons. Acoustic music fills the air and changes to fit the vibe of each hidden treasure behind magical doors. There's a rhythm, a pulse that makes it feel alive, and you feel it in your belly.
Among the many highlights is a peaceful, lazy morning spent strolling along stone pathways shaded by towering, dinosaur-sized ferns. Few experiences are as memorable as an afternoon at an open-air spa housed within a beautifully preserved 17th-century monastery, complete with a sugar-sweet cacao massage and a soak in mineral-rich ancient pools shaded by towering trees and alive with the songs of native birds.
The culinary scene in Antigua is as colorful and diverse as the gardens and people. With a landscape in bloom year-round, fresh fruit weighs down the branches and finds its way to most menus. Rich in Mayan heritage, the cobblestone roads are lined with vendors selling cups of juicy mango and papaya, Chuchitos (think, tamale), Pepian (savory stew), sweet candy, and endless preparations of the sweetest corn you’ll ever taste. One dish on every menu is the ‘Guatemalan’. This is a breakfast that tickles every taste bud, featuring whatever fruit is in season, creamy refried beans, “huevos con chirmol" (scrambled eggs with a tomatillo salsa), queso Panela (a silky white cheese made in a basket), and Platanos frotios (fried plantains), all topped with crema, cilantro, lime, salt, a smile, and love. This is what I crave when I return, and make at home on a sunny summer day to feel that reverence for history, community, and love in my belly.
The Guatemalan
INGREDIENTS:
• Corn tortillas
• 6 eggs
• 1 plantain (yellow is ripe)
• 1 small papaya (yellow skin is ripe)
• 1 mango
• Pineapple
• Tomatillo salsa
• 1 lime
• 1 avocado
• Fresh cilantro and 1 scallion
• 1 container Crema
• 1 wheel Cotija cheese
• 1 wheel Panela cheese
• 2 cans refried black beans
• Chili flavored Chicharrones
• Agave syrup
• 6 Tbs avocado oil
• Flake salt
DIRECTIONS:
1. Play your favorite music as you gather ingredients. Choose a platter and a side plate for the tortillas and Chicharrones.
*The one shown here was hand made in Guatemala by women artisans. Ingredients will be arranged lovingly together for everyone to share, family style.
2. In a medium sized skillet, warm 2T of oil. Add the beans and gently mash them into the oil, cooking over low, gentle heat for about 10 minutes until warmed through.
3. Peel, deseed, and slice the papaya, mango and pineapple. Chop a small handful of cilantro leaves and scallion, peel and slice the avocado, crumble Cotija cheese, and slice Panela cheese. Slice the lime in half, trim away the middle.
4. Peel and slice the plantain on a diagonal. In a second skillet, heat 4T oil. Once hot (not smoking) carefully arrange plantains and cook 6 minutes per side until golden. Remove and place on a paper towel lined plate. Keeping the pan on medium high heat, cook 8 corn tortillas on both sides until slightly golden.
5. Scramble eggs in a bowl and cook in the same pan you used for the tortillas.
6. Arrange tortillas and Chicharrones on a plate with a dollop of crema in the center, topped with salsa, cotija, and cilantro/scallion. On the platter, arrange the rest of the ingredients. Top eggs and beans with salsa, cotija and cilantro. Dollop crema near the fruit and on top of the plantains. Drizzle with agave. Squeeze lime and sprinkle with salt and remaining cilantro/scallion over the entire platter. Sit, relax, enjoy.
Local Fourth of July Fun
July in McHenry County can feel a little overwhelming in the best possible way. Between parades, festivals, lakefront concerts, and fireworks shows, there is no shortage of ways to celebrate summer and the Fourth of July. The challenge isn’t finding something to do, the challenge is deciding which tradition, town, or event to take in on any given night. From long-running community festivals that stretch over multiple days to simple, family-friendly fireworks at the park or beach, each town offers its own take on summer celebration. This guide highlights six family-fun events to help narrow the choices and make planning a little easier.
CRYSTAL LAKE
Lakeside Festival returns July 2–5 at the Dole grounds, combining carnival rides, live music, food vendors, and family activities with one of the county’s biggest fireworks displays. Fireworks are Sunday, July 5 over the lake at Main Beach. It’s a longtime community tradition with a true hometown festival atmosphere. thedole.org/the-fest
LAKE IN THE HILLS
Lake in the Hills hosts Rockin’ Rotary Ribfest July 9-12 at Sunset Park, combining award-winning BBQ, live music, and carnival rides. The festival draws big crowds from across the area and has a lively, family-friendly atmosphere. rockinrotaryribfest.com
WOODSTOCK
4th of July Fireworks in Woodstock will light up the skies over Emricson Park on July 4 beginning at dusk. Visitors can enjoy concessions, open green space, and a relaxed community atmosphere while watching the show. Woodstock’s historic square and nearby restaurants also make it easy to turn the evening into a full night out before fireworks begin. business.woodstockilchamber.com/events/details/4th-ofjuly-fireworks-in-woodstock-07-04-2026-14962
ALGONQUIN
Algonquin hosts its Founders’ Days festival July 24-27, featuring carnival rides, live entertainment, food vendors, and fireworks at Spella Park. While later in the month, it delivers one of the county’s biggest summer celebrations. The event also includes a parade and downtown activities, creating a full weekend festival experience anchored by its fireworks show. chicagoevents.com/event/algonquin-fest/
MCHENRY
McHenry celebrates with Fiesta Days July 9-19, a multi-day festival featuring concerts, parades, a carnival (July 10-12), food vendors, and fireworks over Petersen Park. The lakefront setting adds to the energy, especially during evening events. It’s one of the largest summer festivals in the county and blends small-town tradition with a high-energy celebration. mchenryfiestadays.com
ARTICLE BY KATIE BOBROW
JULY 2026
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
JULY 2ND - 5TH
Lakeside Festival
The Dole
Lakeside Festival is one of the largest and longest-running summer festivals in McHenry County. Held on the beautiful grounds of the historic Dole Mansion and Lakeside Arts Park over Independence Day weekend, the fest is the largest fundraiser for the Lakeside Legacy Foundation. Gather your friends and family and enjoy local eats, live music, carnival rides, and more! Details at: thedole.org/the-fest
JULY 11TH
Discovery DayUnplug Illinois
The Nature Center, 330 N. Main Street, Crystal Lake | 10:00 AM Unplug Illinois invites us all to slow down, explore nature, and experience meaningful, screen-free moments together during this free event from 10am-4pm. Enjoy guided hikes top of the hour:10 am-4 pm; Nature Center extended hours, 10 am-9 pm; illuminated hike and roasted marshmallows, 5-9 pm; and stargazing: 8-9 pm. Discover the benefits of unplugging.
JULY 16TH, 17TH, & 18TH
DOWNTOWN
CRYSTAL Lake Summer Sidewalk Sales
Downtown Crystal Lake | Times Vary
Get ready to stroll, support local, and soak up the sunshine! Stroll through downtown Crystal Lake, shop the boutiques, and enjoy a bite to eat and drinks at the local establishments. It’s a perfect time of year to support local! Visit downtowncl.org for more information.
Celebrate Your Independence
Your
GET INSPIRED EAT & DRINK SHOP LOCAL
CONTINUED
JULY 18TH
Crystal Lake Cardboard Cup Regatta
Crystal Lake Main Beach | 9:00 AM
Presented by the Crystal Lake Parks Initiative Foundation, this annual event is a crowd favorite! Test your building and boating skills at Crystal Lake Main Beach, where teams race vessels made entirely out of cardboard. Or just head out to main beach and cheer on the racers! For more details, boat building requirements or to register, visit cardboardregatta.org
JULY 25TH
Disability Pride Event
McHenry County College, Crystal Lake | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Celebrate the beauty, diversity, and lived experiences of the disability community at the annual Disability Pride Event! This year, this free event, open to everyone, is moving to a larger location. Enjoy Performances on the Luecht Auditorium Stage. Visit community resource representatives and small business owners/vendors in the commons and cafeteria. Learn more at the Meet MCC Facebook page.
JULY 26TH
Cops ‘N Bobbers Svejcar Fishing Derby
Shamrock Hills, 6204 Hillside Road, Crystal Lake | 9:00 AM
Bring a rod or borrow one at this family-friendly fishing derby for kids, ages 5-12! Hang out with our local law enforcement at this free event. Great prizes awarded! but pre-registration is required, For more information or to register, using registration code 342306-04, visit crystallakeparks.org.
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