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player ready...It’s time for fall food celebrations throughout Lake County, with new fests this weekend and next in Lake Zurich and ongoing farmers markets in Libertyville and Mundelein.
“Both the chili cook-off and beer fest are resident-driven events,” said Bonnie Caputo, recreation manager for Lake Zurich. “We’re hoping they’ll be wonderful autumn events, setting off the fall season for years to come.”
The inaugural Barn Burnin’ Chili Cook-off will be Oct. 5 at Henry J. Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road. The park will open at 7 a.m. for some 15 cooks, who will be judged on showmanship from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tastings will begin at 2:15 p.m. Admission is $3, or $2 with a donation of a nonperishable canned good for the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. Admission includes unlimited samples while supplies last.
The village held a chili cook-off many years ago, but it was discontinued. Officials decided to resurrect the event based on a comprehensive 2011 community survey, Caputo said.
The next new event in Lake Zurich is the Craft Beer Festival from 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 10 and 2 to 10 p.m. Oct. 11, also at Paulus Park. The fest, for those 21 and older, will be designed like a European street fair with a music stage, food and craft vendors.
“We are expecting 2,500 people over the two days,” Caputo said.
Presented in partnership with Chicago-based Special Events Management, the festival was created to fill a void in the village’s events calendar that resulted from the chamber of commerce’s Oktoberfest becoming Toast of the Towns in August.
Beer vendors include Goose Island, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., 3 Sheeps Brewing, Dogfish Head Brewery, Flying Dog Brewery, Saugatuck Brewing Co., Sam Adams, Shock Top and Temperance Beer Co. Tastings will be available from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 10 and 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 11.
A day tasting pass is $40 in advance at chicagoevents.com or $50 at the gate. Passes include a souvenir glass and 20 3-ounce beers. The tasting pass includes the price of admission, which is $7. Patrons only need to pay the general admission fee of $7 if they don’t buy a pass.
Free rides home within a 10-mile radius will be available courtesy of Grooms Insurance Associates, with signup at the entrance.
Music will be provided by Kashmir at 8 p.m. Oct. 10. The lineup for Oct. 11 is Bliss at 3 p.m., Pirate Radio at 5:30 p.m. and Lounge Puppets at 8 p.m.
For other details, call 847-540-5068 or go to LZCraftbeerFest.com or lakezurich.org.
Farmers markets:
In downtown Libertyville, the farmers market continues from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 16 on West Church Street between Brainerd and Milwaukee avenues. In addition to produce and flowers, the market offers fresh crepes, French pastries, biscotti, jams, cider, pumpkins, hummus, honey and beeswax candles, free-range chicken eggs, farm-fresh goat milk soap and dog treats.
Free parking is available in the municipal lot south of the market, another lot off Cook Avenue just north of Cook Park, and the garage
In Mundelein, the farmers market continues from 3 to 7 p.m. Fridays through Oct. 10 at 300 Plaza Circle, adjacent to the new Village Hall.
Call 847-949-3200 or go to Mundelein-il.org.
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