We loved this event! Very family friendly and laid back type of vibe. We got there around 4:30 and…read morehad no trouble finding some spots under the trees in some shade. We had fun decorating the lanterns and just grabbing snacks and hanging out. There were a TON of great food options and most places took card but a few were cash only. The staff was also so nice and helpful everywhere. Although we did have a great time at the lantern fest, I had to take off a star due to the disorganization. When I walked in no one scanned my barcode at all - we walked right in. We got our lanterns with no problem too, without showing our tickets. The releasing of the lanterns was very chaotic - there were no lines just a lot of people jammed trying to get to the lantern slide to release them into the water. It would've been nice if they had more slides and maybe rope or something to divide the lines. Overall, despite the organization issue, we did have a really great time and would love to return next year!

Check-in was a breeze to receive our kits. I'm glad we arrived early to get good parking. However,…read morethat left a lot of downtime at the festival. The musical acts didn't play many songs, and there was a lot of downtime in between. Thankful for regular bathrooms and not just Porta potties. Bags came with some goodies. Food trucks, well there was one bbq, one pizza, one cookie, and one ice cream. Lines for all were horrendously long. I'm glad that I ate before coming. We were one of the first to launch our lanterns, and then we left. There really wasn't that much to do. I'm glad that I won these tickets as I am not sure I would have paid for the experience.

Elburn Days is not just a fest, it's an entire community stopping to celebrate and take some time…read morefrom the every day norm to let loose. You can take the train, drive straight in on 38, or shoot down 47. There's plenty of parking all around the city, and even if you walk around town, which there are some quaint shops and bars to eat... AND DON'T FORGET REAMS!, you aren;t far from the fest. Highly recommend a visit, you won' be disappointed.

This is my favorite festival every year, and I'm always so excited to go again! It's held in Good…read moreTemplar Park, which is not typically open to the public, and people open up their cottages, many built in the 1930s, as little "shops", so you can both see the cottages and do some shopping. Since Geneva was founded by Swedes and many people who historically had/have cottages (stugas in Swedish) here are of Scandinavian descent, you will see many Dala horses, vikings, gnomes, as well as yarn craft, jewelry, woodworking, candles, vintage books, ornaments, and more. One cottage today had demonstrations by rosemaling painters, the traditional Norwegian painting style often seen on wooden plates, trunks, furniture and other items. I was fortunate to speak with Lynn, who told me about her process (her motto was "Exhale and feel your passion for painting"; she also said not to hold the brush like a pen, in that there is no pressure on it, just guide it. She triple loaded paint colors onto a small flat paint brush and said she makes designs shaped like Ss and Cc, and that there are "no mistakes," if a kid bumps the table or something it can always be fixed or changed.) Another artist whose art you will encounter everywhere at this event is Kathy McPartland; her whimsical gnomes, Dala horses and flowers are on the fliers and signage for the festival, and you can buy her cards, books and prints at this fair. Tina Druce-Hoffman was another artist present who makes beautiful intaglio prints, including a limited edition one for the event. They have added extra vendors in tents around the park, which was something new this year. Overall, I will always come back to this charming event.

So unique! Tiny little cottages in a wooded area along a…read morecreek. Some are private residences but about 20 of them are opened for sale of arts and crafts. $8 to enter in 2018. We had no ideas what Templar's were. Good lessons from the past.

We've been to Swedish Days in the past and found it to be your above average town festival. Plenty…read moreof vendors, food, drinks, rides and carnival games, etc. Today however, we went to the Swedish Day parade..our first time seeing this part of the festival. The route runs through three different roads and lasted a good 2 hrs. They featured a good number of high school bands and other lively entertainment, including a ton of Shriners. Our favorite was a South Side performance group and the Jesse White Tumblers. Neither disappoint. We went with a large group of of friends who corded off and staked a tent for our groups use. If you're going with a large group you'll want to arrive early and do the same, as the parade route gets pretty packed. Cheers.

I gotta say, Swedish Days was A LOT more fun than I anticipated!…read more Geneva to me is sorta a new discovery. I have only been frequenting downtown Geneva for the past 3 years or so, clearly because I live under a rock. My Fiance and I love to walk up and down 3rd St., visit the shops, stop for some good food and eat some delicious sweets. And Swedish Days takes every aspect of this quaint downtown, puts a carnival in it, some good music and a touch of small town to bring Swedish Days together. After this year I can easily say I would not frequenting Swedish Days just like the MANY people I met there from the area and even from out of state!

Basically for kids - not adults. Not much food either. Just want what I was expecting at all. Was…read moredying for a corn on the cob - had none.

We have been going to the scarecrow festival on and off for at least 20 years. This years was not…read moreat all like previous years. There are not as many scarecrows as in past years, and they are no longer displayed in the park. They are scattered around town in front of stores and restaurants. The craft fair was half the size it was in the past. In the past the vendors would be from all over the state, many were selling bought items. St. Charles has lots to offer, but this fest could not compare to previous ones.

Two-time attendee, both summer and winter. I can honestly attest that this is a great festival to…read morevisit if you're a beer enthusiast. I've long been the type to continually try new crafts so the idea of having 60 (winter) and 120+ (summer) breweries at my disposal is a welcome thought. For the numbers, that's roughly 120 crafts in the winter and close to 250 in the summer. No..you won't (*you shouldn't) try to drink them all, even if you buy the early entry pass, but you can knock down a significant number of them in the four hours they're open. Regarding the different seasons: Summer is held in downtown Naperville at the Settlement. I prefer this one over the winter because it's larger, there are more vendors (both beer and other alcohols), they employ music acts on stage, there are more games and places to sit..and hey..it's summer. Even when it was 100 degree's last year it was fun. Winter was excellent as well. You can't judge the fest by the weather, you have to accept what mother nature gives you. In our case this year, that was near 40 degree temps in late February. Can't ask for much better than that in Chicagoland. The setup was an easy flow but the tents, which are necessary given the possible weather conditions, make for cramped quarters. The lines were never long, but getting to them usually meant maneuvering around idle drinkers. The winter doesn't provide a music act and the food/games/non-beer vendors are far less. Still..60 brewers in the dead of winter is a pretty awesome selection. Can't wait for the next one. Cheers!

Summer session was terrible. A lot of the booths were having trouble with their taps and kegs. Not…read moreworth the money.

North Aurora Days was a LOT smaller than I expected! It's held in the parking lot of a single strip…read moremall off of Randall and Oak Streets (where the Super Wash is). FOOD: There was a beer tent and 6 food vendors: 1 BBQ, 1 Tacos, 1 fried foods, 1 corn, 1 Italian Ice, and an Oberweis Dairy ice cream truck. I found food prices to be REALLY steep: I paid $15 for a 6" corn dog and dry cheese curds that had been sitting under a warmer. ENTERTAINMENT: In the evening there were only carnival games (4), a tall slide, and a bouncy castle, and a stage with live music. During the day there are specific events (garage sale, book sale, 5k). People set up lawn chairs, so note you can bring those. Most went "parade style" and set them up en masse to claim spots, and then left elsewhere. Overall? Meh. Very underwhelming, at least in terms of attending Saturday evening. I suppose it's halfway decent if you live in the neighborhood and just want to chill and listen to music with your family and neighbors.

Boy! Has North Aurora Days come around. If you would like to walk back in time and relish the…read moreexperience of a good ole' fashion small town picnic. Then you oughta try North Aurora Days at their Riverfront Park next time it happens. There's music, refreshments, rustic and picturesque scenery - and a very special atmosphere of family fun and wholesome good times.

Very fun time, family friendly entertainment. Over 200 cars and trucks on display this year. DJ Ron…read moreReiner playing classic rock and country hits. 50 50 raffle, beer garden, live music, fireworks, DJ, lots of horse power!