ATTRACTIONS: Festivals

Corn Fest

Aug. 20-22: Corn Fest is one of the last remaining free music festivals among Illinois music festivals in Illinois. Corn Fest is also one of the oldest summer music festivals in Illinois. Well over 100,000 people from around Illinois and the Midwest attend the music festival over a three day weekend. Admission and parking are free. This festival features a carnival complete with rides and games, food booths, live music, craft show, kiddie korner with large inflatables, family entertainment and much more. Friday night is carnival wristband nights for the kids with unlimited rides from 6-10 pm. Festival areas feature booths, craft fest and a beer garden. Over 70 tons of sweet corn are served during the weekend. Free steamed sweet corn is available on Saturday during the corn boil from 11am- 2pm (or when corn runs out). Special thanks to Del Monte for the corn. Uncooked corn is also available for purchase throughout the weekend at various booths and food vendors. www.cornfest.com

Kite Festival

Sept. 12: Kite Fest is an annual event, usually held in September. Skies over DeKalb are filled with colorful and imaginative kites of all types and sizes at this popular event. Kite Fest is held on NIU's "North 40," near Annie's Woods, off Lucinda Avenue at Kishwaukee Drive, DeKalb. Features include kite-making, food vendors, a candy drop for kids and other fun activities. Admission is free. VIP parking is $3. CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS!

Pumpkin Fest

Oct. 27-31: Pumpkin Fest is always the last Wednesday-Sunday in October. Back in 1956, Wally Thurow, who is known as Sycamore's "Mr. Pumpkin," began what was to become the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival when he displayed a few decorated pumpkins on his front lawn in an effort to turn Halloween into a time of fun and creativity. In 1962, through the efforts of Mr. Pumpkin" and the Sycamore Lions Club, the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival became an official celebration in Sycamore. Every year, the Pumpkin Festival unites DeKalb County non-profit groups working to provide a weekend of Halloween fun for all. The Courthouse lawn is the center of activities, including thousands of decorated pumpkins on display, there are also art and craft shows, a house walk, a pie eating contest, a carnival, a barn- yard zoo, a fun fair and other events all of which are concluded by the giant parade on Sunday afternoon, 1 p.m. Throughout the Festival, good autumn food, snacks, and souvenirs are available at stands operated by various not-for profit DeKalb County organizations. The many activities ensure fun for all from age one to 100.