All eyes will be on the sky as the 15TH ANNUAL AIREXPO returns Saturday at LAKE IN THE HILLS AIRPORT. Bring the whole family out for this show, which will feature aerobatic demonstrations, airplane and helicopter rides and military flight maneuvers. A Russian Sukhoi aircraft, Japanese Zero plane, the Tony Kazian Wing Walkers, U.S. Airforce C-130 cargo plane and Army H-60 Blackhawk helicopter will perform. During and after the show, check out the arts and crafts exhibition, children’s activities, food stands and beer garden. Enjoy live entertainment and fireworks at dusk. Admission $4 adults; $1 children 10 and under. Free parking. 15th Annual AirExpo opens at 1 p.m. Show starts at 6 p.m. Lake in the Hills Airport, 8407 Pyott Rd., Lake in the Hills. 847-658-4213.
— Stephanie Price
Juneteenth is the name given to the day when slaves in Texas learned that they had been given their freedom. A program at the Chicago Historical Society celebrating that joyous moment will include an actor, dressed as Abraham Lincoln, reciting the Emancipation Proclamation, songs about the glory of being free, stories that give freedom a rhythm of its own, dances that have a spiritual message and renditions of “Amazing Grace” and “Oh Happy Day” sung to the beat of many hands clapping. Juneteenth, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Chicago Historical Society, Clark Street at North Avenue, $5 adults, $1 children; 312-642-4600.
— Nancy Maes
Is your family ready for nature’s challenge? During “Nature Quest” Wednesday, you’ll see how your family measures up in the woods. The event will include a short evening hike, fun-filled activities and stories around the campfire. Free. Reservations required. “Nature Quest,” 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, 3609 Spring Rd., Oak Brook. 630-850-8110.
— Stephanie Price
Dads eat free when accompanied by a paying child for an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner to celebrate Father’s Day at Fiesta 2000, the 53rd annual St. Christopher’s parish carnival. Dinner, $3, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission to the festival is free; ticket prices vary for carnival rides, games, custom car show, live music and special events. 6:30 p.m.-midnight Friday, 1 p.m.-midnight Saturday, 1-11 p.m. Sunday, St. Christopher Church parking lot, 14700 S. Keeler Ave., Midlothian. 708-388-8190.
— Diana Strzalka
At the Chicago Botanic Garden, model trains are chugging and zooming through landscapes that replicate the natural settings of a dozen national parks and half a dozen historic sites (see accompanying story). If families come to see the exhibit on Saturdays, children can listen to stories that tell about nature such as “The Mouse and the Douglas Fir.” Storytellers will recite poems too, including “The Little Red Caboose” and “Down by the Station” and ask youngsters to perform the actions they describe. Kids can also learn the code language of train whistles and make the sounds of various blasts, such as two long, one short and one long, which signals that a train is arriving at a crossing. Children don’t have to worry about forgetting what they’ve learned because they will get a sheet with the code to take home so they can practice. Storytelling, 11 a.m. Saturdays through Oct. 28, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe, free; 847-835-5440.
— Nancy Maes