Author: Fox Valley Magazine

The 46th Annual Festival celebrating the cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden will held on Sunday, September 7 from 10:00am to 5:00pm at Vasa Park in South Elgin. Come enjoy entertainment by Libido Funk Circus, songs from Bert and Lindy, The Nordic Folk Dancers of Chicago, Leikarringen Heimhug Dancers, and story time by Elsa from Frozen. There will be morning church service at 10:30am, and free pony rides and activities for children, Scandinavian food and beverages and Scandinavian vendors and displays. Entrance is $15.00 per person; children 12 and under free. Vasa Park is located at 35 W…

The 13th annual Fiestas Patrias Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13 at the newly expanded RiverEdge Park in downtown Aurora. Bring your friends, blankets, bag chairs, and dancing boots, and get ready for two exciting  nights at the park in celebration of Mexican Independence Day. Not only does Fiestas Patrias bring live music, mariachi, local food vendors, and internationally acclaimed bands like Banda Carnaval and La Maquinaria Norteña, the two-day event raises thousands of dollars in scholarship funds annually for Hispanic, college-bound Aurora residents. Gates open Saturday, September 12 at 3:30pm. Opening acts include…

Celebrate Mexican Independence Day at La Fiesta de Elgin on Saturday, Sepember 12, in downtown Elgin and at Festival Park. The festivities begin with a morning car caravan through downtown at 11am, followed by an evening celebration at Festival Park from 4:30-10pm. The free festival brings Mexican culture, music, food and family-friendly activities to Elgin, featuring a towering Angel of Independence, interactive art installations, piñata smash, authentic Mexican cuisine and more. Live entertainment includes Los K Bros, Sonora Tropicana, La Original Banda El Limón and Mariachi Sirenas, with DJ Eddy-P keeping the celebration going between performances. The evening will also…

Fresh Italian Flavors. Garden-Grown Ingredients. A Hidden Gem Worth Discovering. At Che Figata, dining is inspired by the simple pleasures of gathering and connecting with loved ones over exceptional food rooted in Italian tradition. The menu celebrates vibrant ingredients, handcrafted dishes, and a thoughtful approach to dining that invites guests to slow down and savor every moment around the table. Freshness is at the heart of the Che Figata experience; our on-site garden inspires the menu, with 90% of dishes featuring ingredients sourced directly from the garden. From fresh herbs and vegetables to thoughtfully prepared dishes, every plate reflects a…

Illinois Lottery players had a notable Labor Day weekend, with three Lucky Day Lotto® jackpot-winning tickets sold across the state, winning more than $850,000 in prizes. One of the winners purchased their lucky ticket at the Shell Gas Station located at 307 West Main Street in Saint Charles. The winning ticket matched all five numbers in drawings held on Friday, September 4. Illinois Lottery retailers that sell winning tickets receive a bonus equal to one percent of the prize amount. As a result, Shell in Saint Charles will receive a $5,500 bonus. So far this year, more than eight million winning Lucky…

Every fall, the fields at Abbey Farms turn into one of the Fox Valley’s best-loved family traditions. Pumpkin Daze opens Saturday, September 19 and runs through November 1, bringing more than twenty activities to the farm in Aurora, all included with a single admission. Wander the 8-acre corn maze, cut this year from the new Abbey Farms logo, so you can walk through our story from the inside. Take a hay ride, race down the slides, test your footing on the log balance beam course, and crawl through the tractor tire tunnel adventure. On Saturdays and Sundays, the petting zoo…

Compassionate Care at Home, Backed by Experience When you or a loved one needs care at home, families want more than clinical expertise. They want compassionate professionals who understand the importance of dignity, comfort, and independence. CovenantCare Home Health & Hospice brings that and more to families throughout St. Charles and the surrounding western suburban communities. With a local office in St. Charles, CovenantCare offers a full continuum of in-home services, including skilled nursing, therapy, hospice care, and non-medical personal care. This integrated approach allows individuals to receive support in the comfort and familiarity of home, whether they live in…

Kaneocuntyconnects.com September 11, 2026, marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which claimed nearly 3,000 lives in New York City, Virginia and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Several Kane County communities will host public events to honor the victims and heroes of that day. Aurora 9/11 Memorial Ceremony The Aurora Police and Fire Honor Guard will present a 9/11 Memorial Ceremony honoring those who lost their lives and the first responders who answered the call. Time: 7:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11Location: Front parking lot of the Aurora Police Department, 1200 E. Indian Trail, Aurora ​Elgin 25th Anniversary Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony Elgin will mark…

Geneva’s Chamber of Commerce will the annual Festival of the Vine, one of the community’s most popular seasonal events, from Friday through Sunday, September 11–13, in downtown Geneva. Now in its 44th year, this long-running community event brings together great local food, wine, live music, and family-friendly fun. Centered around S. Fourth and James Streets, the big tasting tent is where you’ll find some of Geneva’s favorite restaurants serving up signature small plates. Guests buy tickets and sample their way through the tent — with plenty of wine, beer, and seltzer to go with it. Guests can purchase tasting tickets…

Featured selections of Craft Beers created by local Fox Valley area brewing companies. Atom SmasherNamed with our atom-colliding scientific neighbor in mind, Atom Smasher is a bold, full-bodied lager inspired by traditional Märzen-style beers. It pours a golden amber and opens with aromas of bready malt, cherry, biscuit and a touch of sweetness and booze. On the palate, layers of toasty malt, caramel and toffee are balanced by earthy hops, creating a rich, smooth and satisfying beer with plenty of character. At 7% ABV, Atom Smasher is built to pack a little extra punch while staying true to its malt-forward…