Right in Our Region.......................................Cover

Right in Our Region

An Itinerary to Play All Day in St. Charles

By Katie Gray

With the price of gas at more than five bucks per gallon and flight cancellations rising, many families will opt to stay closer to home this summer. While expensive trips to far-off places can be exciting, the great news is there are plenty of local, family-friendly places to have fun, cool off, explore nature and make memories this summer.

One of those places is Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles. The 47-acre park has a range of amenities, guaranteeing your kids have no reason to whine that they’re bored. Families can spend the whole day – or even a weekend – exploring the park and never run out of things to do. If you’re looking for ideas to plan your trip, here’s a sample itinerary. 9 a.m. – Start with a relaxing walk through the native plant and sensory gardens along the Fox River. Young kids love the log steppers and vine tunnel, and everyone can stop to play a quick baggo game.

“The garden is right behind the Pottawatomie Community Center,” says Katie Miller, assistant superintendent of recreation at Pottawatomie Community Center. “It’s a neat little walkthrough made up of all native plantings, so you’ll find lots of butterflies and bugs crawling around. Everything is marked so you can identify what’s there.”

An all-inclusive playground was installed in 2021 and is designed so that children of all abilities can enjoy its features. It includes a wheelchair swing donated by the St. Charles Kiwanis Club. 11 a.m. – Next, head to the 18-hole River View Miniature Golf Course. “This is a great amenity that reaches all ages,” Miller says. Try Stanley’s Spin-N-Play wheel if you’re up for some extra amusement. You might look silly when you putt standing on one foot or with just one hand, but it sure will entertain the kids. Don’t expect the course to be easy; with names like “I Dare You” and “Leap of Faith,” it’s a fun challenge even for a seasoned golfer. 12:30 p.m. – Next, grab lunch from the refreshment stand. Whether you’re craving something savory or sweet, you’ll find it here. “We serve all of the concession favorites, and they’re pretty

Paddleboats on the Fox River

affordable,” Miller says. You can order everything from hot dogs and brats to candy, soft pretzels, ice cream and soda. There’s plenty of seating nearby, so you can leave the picnic blanket at home. 1:45 p.m. – Now that your belly is full, take to the water on the Paddlewheel Riverboat for sightseeing on the Fox River. Kids and parents alike can partake in the ISPY activities onboard while searching for critters and birds during the cruise.

“Those cruises are fun, and they run about 45 minutes, so it’s a good length of time for a little one’s attention span,” Miller says. The boat departs at 12:30, 1:45, and 3 p.m. on weekends or at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Alternatively, you can rent a swanthemed pedal boat and do the paddling yourself. These boats seat four at a time, so the whole family might be able to sit together. 3:30 p.m. – Get back on dry land with a walk around the paved trails or challenge the kids to a friendly competition with a game of tennis or sand volleyball. There’s also a steep incline by the amphitheater that makes for a great uphill running contest. 5:30 p.m. – Is there anything more refreshing after a long walk than a dip in the pool? “We have Swanson Pool right in Pottawatomie Park,” Miller says. “It’s a great spot to go, and it’s perfect for families. We’ve got plenty of lap lanes, which is a nice feature for adults.”

Twilight Swim starts at 5:30 p.m. and continues every evening through Aug. 14. “It’s just $5 per person,” Miller says. “You can end your day with an evening swim to cool off.”

River View Miniature Golf

Affordable Summer Fun

This action-packed day would only cost around $30 per person, including lunch, making Pottawatomie Park an affordable choice for families looking for fun that’s close to home.

Miller also says some new and special events are happening this summer inside the park.

“We have movies in the park, which we’re collaborating with the St. Charles Public Library on,” she says. “There’s a movie playing on Friday, Aug. 19, ‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’. It starts at 7:50 p.m., and it’s free for all ages.” ❚

Pottawatomie Park is located at 8 N. Ave., in St. Charles. Check stcparks.org for up-to-date hours and pricing.

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60 Miles South of Madison 75 Miles West of Milwaukee 90 Miles West of Chicago

Fun for All at McHenry County Fair

By Brian Hughes

This summer’s McHenry County Fair is an event not to miss. Serving the Chicago area for more than 70 years, the McHenry County tradition continues this year with a six-day event that kicks off Tuesday, Aug. 2, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 7, at the McHenry County Fairgrounds in Woodstock.

From the official opening at noon on Tuesday through the final closing gate at 8 p.m. Sunday, there’s fun for the whole family all week long. Favorites include the traditional 4-H displays, Open and Junior Open livestock and non-livestock shows, a carnival, Miss McHenry County Pageant, monster truck races, tractor pulls, a demolition derby, bull riding and more. Gates are generally open to the public daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

In addition to all the of the daytime attractions at the fair, there’s plenty of fun once the sun goes down. Grandstand entertainment happens every night and includes a draft horse pull and a professional championship bullriding competition. On Saturday night, country stars Big & Rich bring their distinct sound to the stage. They’re joined by guest Sara Evans, a country singer/songwriter. Tickets can be purchased online at mchenrycountyfair.com.

Purchase general admission tickets at the gate or online, for either a singleday entry at $10 or a six-day admission at $30. Tuesday is Family Fun Day, and tickets are only $5.

Seniors, veterans and children age 6 to 12 get in for $5 daily. Other special offers can be viewed online.

The McHenry County Fair is where families come to create summertime memories that last a lifetime. Mark your calendars, because this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever. ❚

The McHenry County Fair happens Aug. 2-7 at the McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Road, in Woodstock, (815) 338-5315.

Only in Geneva

SHOP • EAT • DRINK • PLAY • FEST

Festival of the Vine Sept. 9-11, 2022 CHEERS TO FUN!

Geneva’s Festival of the Vine is a fabulous time for friends and families, now at our new location at S. Fourth & James streets. Enjoy beer and wines from around the world. Feast on mouth-watering specialties from Geneva’s acclaimed eateries at our Flavor Fare. Find unique gifts at our Art and Crafts show. For events schedule and details, go to genevachamber.com.