Author: Fox Valley Magazine

Navy Pier is one of Chicago’s most prominent attractions, welcoming nearly 9 million visitors each year. The lakefront treasure offers year-round attractions including the skyline Centennial Wheel, architecture and lake tours, and unique shopping and culinary experiences that represent the very best of Chicago. From movies in the park, to outdoor fitness classes and live music, Navy Pier proudly presents free and diverse entertainment for all ages every day throughout the summer season. Offering exhilarating natural wonders, Illuminarium is Navy Pier’s newest attraction and delivers a sensory experience by fully immersing visitors in the world’s most extraordinary experiences. 360-degree video,…

Like it or not, fall approaches, and with it all kinds of magical fun outdoors. A mainstay of the Fox Valley, Windy Acres Farm is a popular destination as the leaves begin to turn, the harvest is brought in, and that nip in the air calls for some hot cider. (Photo credits Kevin Ketchum)

West Suburban Irish will be putting on their fourth annual Naperville Irish Fest this weekend. On Friday and Saturday, September 20-21, there will be live music, Irish cultural activities, Irish dancing, Hurling and Camogie demonstrations, children’s activities and more during the family-friendly festival at Naperville Central Park, 104 East Benton in Naperville. Hours are 3 to 10 p.m. Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday. “We are thrilled to bring the community together once again to celebrate Irish culture and Ireland,” said Chris O’Hara, Co-Chair of the 2024 Naperville Irish Fest. “Whether you’re Irish by heritage or just Irish at…

Dundee Heritage Fest will be held September 13, 14 & 15 in downtown East and West Dundee. A local favorite along the Fox River, Heritage Fest is free to attend and provides activities for all ages. The fun begins on Friday night with a fireworks show over the Fox River at 8 pm that is not to be missed, bookended by high-energy live entertainment from 6:00-8:00 and 9:00-11:00pm. Live music and entertainment continue throughout the weekend representing a wide variety of genres and decades. For a complete list of bands, please visit the Heritage Fest website at wdundeeheritagefest.org. Saturday and…

Alley Art Festival will fill downtown Aurora with artists for its 14th year from noon to 5pm on Saturday, August 31. The free festival will bring more than 90 local artists to the area. The popular, grassroots art festival will be staged on both pedestrian-friendly Water Street Mall and Downer Place between Stolp Avenue and Water Street. This year’s festival is sponsored by Superjumbo Records and Representative Barbara Hernandez. The festival will feature artists and artisans from noon to 5 pm following the Aurora Farmers Market across the street at Water Street Square, which runs from 8 am to noon…

A 60-year-old Batavia man has been found guilty of Aggravated DUI and other charges for an incident in 2022 wherein his vehicle crashed into a parked Batavia squad car while he was driving intoxicated. Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser announced yesterday that a jury has found Samuel J. Kramer guilty of Aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, a Class 4 felony; Aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, BAC over .08, a Class 4 felony; Improper passing of an emergency vehicle causing damage, Class A misdemeanor; and Leaving the scene of a crash involving damage to vehicle,…

A 36-year-old Aurora man is in custody after what police describe as a “negligent/accidental discharge of a handgun” on St. Charles’ east side Wednesday. According to St. Charles police, just before 1pm a caller alerted police that a male and two females, one of whom was carrying a small child, were walking in the area between the Super 8 Hotel and an adjacent strip mall in the 1500 block of East Main Street when the caller witnessed what appeared to be a negligent/accidental discharge of a handgun by the male subject. Officers arrived on scene and observed a handgun in…

Get ready for a high-voltage night of classic rock at Venue 1012 on August 24 as tribute bands Sins N’ Roses and Electric Shock – The AC/DC Show bring the iconic sounds of Guns N’ Roses and AC/DC to life. Doors open at 5pm, with Sins N’ Roses taking the stage from 6 to 8 pm, delivering fan favorites like “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” The energy will continue to build as Electric Shock takes over from 8:30 to 10:30pm, playing legendary hits like “Back in Black,” “Highway to Hell,” and “Thunderstruck.” Attendees can enjoy a…

Step back into the vibrant era of the ’90s and 2000s hip-hop as Chicago gears up for Tacos and Tequila Festival, presented by the Kane County Cougars and Social House Entertainment. This throwback hip-hop festival has enjoyed success in Kansas City, Dallas Fort Worth, Milwaukee, Sioux Falls, Winnipeg, and now it’s Chicago’s turn to witness the inaugural event on Saturday, September 21st, at Northwestern Medicine Field, home of the Kane County Cougars, from 3pm – 11pm. This exhilarating event will showcase live performances from world renowned hip-hop artists such as T.I, Lil Jon, Fat Joe, Chingy, Ying Yang Twins, Petey…

An 82-year-old Oswego man has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl who was also a family member. Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weis announced that Allen A. Taft was convicted of three separate counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of Child and one count of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse following a jury trial held this week. The jury deliberated for just over one hour before returning guilty verdicts on all charges. Charges against Taft were filed after an investigation began in April of 2022, when the victim, a family member of Taft, disclosed to law enforcement investigators…