Revisit the pioneer past this weekend in Lockport. In the Pioneer Settlement along the banks of the I&M Canal, people dressed as early settlers will demonstrate some of the skills needed to survive in the prairie wilderness, including butter churning, weaving, blacksmithing, needlework and carving. Take a tour of the I&M Canal and see how the pioneers traveled.
Lockport’s Journey into the Past runs from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Pioneer Settlement just south of the Gaylord Building at 200 W. 8th St. in Lockport. Admission is $2 for adults and 75 cents for children aged 5 through 12 years. Children 4 and younger are free. 815-838-5080.
— Pat Harper
Starry Night in Homewood
Start off the summer with some an evening picnic and some outdoor music in Homewood on Friday. The Homewood Park District’s first in a series of Starry Night concerts will feature The Blooze Brothers. Picnic dinners can be ordered in advance and picked up on concert night. The dinners are $7.95 each.
Starry Night, 6:30 p.m. Friday, Marie Irwin Center bandshell, Ridge Road and Highland Avenue, Homewood. Admission is $8 in advance and $10 at the gate; 708-957-0300.
— Pat Harper
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Looking at Mars like a scientist
What would it take to live on Mars? Step into the EuroMars Habitation Station on the south lawn of the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum and you’ll find out. It’s a test facility created for the Mars Society’s Mars Analog Research Station project, like ones that are located in the Utah desert and the Arctic. Inside the 32-foot tall station visitors will see mock research laboratories and a greenhouse used to grow food and purify water. Scientists hope that some day they will be able to set up a simliar habitat on Mars so they can study the Red Planet. A new sky show, “MarsQuest,” narrated by Patrick Stewart from “Star Trek,” depicts Mars as seen by various cultures and contemporary scientists.
“Mars Habitat,” through Sept. 2, free; “MarsQuest,” open run, $16 adults, $14 children, (fee includes admission and a second sky show), Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive; 312-922-STAR.
— Nancy Maes
Fun for kids young and old
The Winnetka Children’s Fair is the place to have fun. Kids can ride on a carousel and a Ferris wheel, bounce around on the moonwalk or take an old-fashioned pony ride. Little children can play carnival games where everybody wins, older ones can pitch a ball to find out how fast it flies through the air, or make some jewelry. Kids can also watch a performance of “Mary Poppins.” Everyone can get their hair or face painted.
Winnetka Children’s Fair, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., Village Green, bordered by Elm, Maple, Oak and Cedar Streets, Winnetka, free admission, fees for activities; 847-256-2736.
— Nancy Maes
Up, up and away
Keep your eyes on the sky as 17th annual Lake in the Hills Air Expo takes flight Saturday. Bring the family to see airplanes on the ground, or hop aboard for plane and helicopter rides. The thrilling air show includes military, experimental and general aviation airplanes. Food and beer tent.
Lake in the Hills Airshow, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Lake in the Hills Airport, Pyott and Rakow Roads, Lake in the Hills. $5; 847-658-4213, ext. 365.
— Stephanie Price
Wild time at zoo
Spend a delightful day at the zoo. Wheaton Park District’s Cosley Zoo hosts Wild on the Farm Day on Sunday. Come out to see sheep shearing demonstrations, make a T-shirt, enjoy a pony ride and get your face painted.
Wild on the Farm Day, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Cosley Zoo, 1356 Gary Ave., Wheaton. Free, but fees are charged for some activities; 630-665-5534.
— Stephanie Price