Weekend Spotlight: Cinderella, Turtles, Music & More

Who thought that temperatures in the 80s could feel so refreshing? I'm sure glad our heat wave is over -- we can enjoy the great outdoors again even when a pool is not involved.

Here's a few highlights of the weekend ahead; of course check the Go West Calendar for even more events, some of which might better fit your budget or family's interests. Also, make sure to take a look at the various editions of the 2012 Go West Summer Guide to find info on outdoor movies, outdoor concerts, fairs, festivals, inexpensive movie series and more.

The Kaneland Community Fine Arts Festival is presenting "Cinderella" this weekend. Photo by P17blo on Flickr.OUTDOOR MUSIC: If you love to see concerts outdoors, then tonight (Thursday) is your night. There are free music shows at North Aurora's Riverfront Park, St. Charles' Lincoln Park and Wheaton's Memorial Park. Check the Calendar for start times and details on the bands playing.

WINDMILL CITY: Batavia's annual community festival is called the Windmill City Festival, and it gets underway on Friday on the Riverwalk, running through Sunday. It will feature a carnival, pet parade, craft show, flea market, music, big wheel races, face painting and a touch-a-truck event on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Admission is free. You can check out a detailed schedule of events here. 

GLASS SLIPPER: The Rodgers & Hammerstein musical version of "Cinderella" will be presented on Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Kaneland High School in Maple Park. The production is part of the Kaneland Community Fine Arts Festival. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students/seniors, but a $25 family ticket allows all the members of one household to attend together. 

CANTIGNY FOR KIDS: My daughter and I saw Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans perform last month at Cantigny in Wheaton, and it was an awesome show, in a wonderfully shaded, scenic area of the park. The children's concert series continues on Saturday with Steve Beno performing at 2 p.m. at the bandshell. The show is complimentary with regular parking fee admission of $5. 

TREMENDOUS TURTLES: The Red Oak Nature Center's "Animal Encounters" series continues on Sunday, with the focus being on "Tremendous Turtles." The program gets underway at 2 p.m. and lasts an hour. There will be activities and you'll likely meet a live turtle or two. Registration is not required, and it's free.