Cardboard boats ply the Oak Park seas
Mythical Creatures Week in Oak Park recently offered people of all ages a chance to enjoy a free magical week of fun with the Park District of Oak Park.
A cardboard regatta featuring cardboard boats with the goal of sailing them the length of Rehm Pool put engineering skills to the test.
Other activities included doing arts and crafts at the Dole Center, such as fairies, muppets and a mermaid collage; making plaster casts of animal and bigfoot tracks at Austin Gardens; a family event at Pleasant Home; strolling through Scoville Park with curious characters and mythical creatures; and learning about plants and creatures in Oak Park Conservatory.
Festival in Darien includes live music, bingo, rides
The 38th annual Darien Fest is set for Aug. 7 to 9 at Hinsdale South High School, 7401 Clarendon Hills Road.
Opening ceremonies are 5:45 to 6 p.m. Aug. 7, with the Veterans of Foreign Wars presenting colors and the high school’s marching band and cheerleaders assisting. Ocean’s Rat Pack performs 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 7, and carnival games rides are 6 to 10 p.m.
On Aug. 8, carnival games and rides are 1 to 10 p.m., a business expo is 1 to 5 p.m. and bingo with Cancer Smashers is 2 to 4 p.m. Bands are Hinsdale School of Rock, 2 to 3 p.m., Whiskey Road 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Heartache Tonight 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
On Aug. 9, attendees can enjoy carnival rides and games from 1 to 9 p.m., a business expo from 1 to 5 p.m., play bingo with Cancer Smashers 2 to 4 p.m. and enjoy My Dance Hula live performance 2 to 3 p.m. and the bands Blind Reality 4 to 6 p.m. and Grand Illusion 7 to 9 p.m.
No pets, bikes, motorized scooters or bikes will be allowed. No outside food or beverages may be brought in. It’s presented by the Darien Business Alliance and City of Darien. Details are at www.darien.il.us.
Hinsdale-based real estate firm honored
A boutique real estate firm in Hinsdale, Bomba & Mancini, recently was named the #5 Small Team in Illinois by RealTrends Verified, an independent tracking organization for the real estate industry.
The ranking pays tribute to the firm’s performance in Illinois in terms of sales volume and transactions. During the tracking period, the group achieved $99 million in closed sales volume in 70 managed transactions sides, per a news release. It’s anchored in Chicago’s west suburbs and is affiliated with @properties Christie’s International Real Estate.
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“To be named one of the top five small teams in Illinois by RealTrends Verified is an incredible honor,” team co-founder Bryan Bomba shared in the release. “Outperforming thousands of teams across the state is a direct reflection of the trust our clients place in us.”
Art festival returns to Burr Ridge
More than 75 artists selling their photographs, jewelry, sculptures, painting and other items will be on hand for the annual Burr Ridge Art Fair, set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 8 and 9 at Burr Ridge Village Center, 701 Village Center Drive.
Guests can enjoy live art demonstrations, interactive experiences such as face painting and a henna tent, live music and family-friendly activities while exploring the open-air center throughout the weekend. A kids’ art zone will be available for games and fun projects, and children can interact with artists in the kid-friendly art tent and who have live art demo signs.
The festival is free, including parking. Details are at amdurproductions.com/burr-ridge-art-fair.
Brookfield Women’s Club sets up blood drive
The Brookfield Women’s Club sponsors a community blood drive with the American Red Cross from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 9 in the municipal meeting room at Brookfield Village Hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave.
The public is welcome, although appointments are preferred. Donors must bring a photo ID or blood donor card or two other forms of ID. Anyone who gives blood in August receives a $20 Amazon gift card by email afterward.
Make an appointment at 800-733-2767 or at RedCrossBlood.org.
Church food pantry dates scheduled
A drive-through grocery giveaway is available for families in need at Immanuel Lutheran Church food pantry, 2317 S. Wolfe Road in Hillside.
Food will be given out at the Put Your Hands Together Food Pantry starting at 11 a.m. until supplies run out on Aug. 9, Sept. 12 and Oct. 10. Details are at 708-562-5590 or www.immanuel-hillside.org/pyht.
The pantry is 100% run by volunteers, with funding mostly coming from foundation grants, corporate giving and private donors. In 2025, nearly 2,000 families were served.
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