Weekend 10: Scarecrow Fest, Friedman, Evancho, symphony's Chaplin homage and barbecue on tap

SCARECROW FEST

WHEN: Oct. 7 to 9

WHERE: Downtown St. Charles sites and Pottawatomie Park

COST & INFO: The 31st annual Scarecrow Fest will feature headlining bands 7th Heaven, 97Nine and Billy Elton, a vintage auto display, professionally carved pumpkins, kids activities, petting zoo, Topgolf’s Golf Game Simulator, Fox Valley Ice Arena Challenge, a Miss Illinois appearance, pumpkin decorating for kids, carnival rides, Autumn on the Fox Arts & Crafts Show in Pottawatomie Park, and the Scarecrow Contest. Admission is free, along with shuttles from The Quad (formerly Charlestowne Mall) and School District 303 parking lots. For details, visit scarecrowfest.com or visitstcharles.com. Call 630-377-6161.

THOMAS FRIEDMAN APPEARANCE

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18; early reservations suggested

WHERE: Aurora University's Crimi Auditorium at Institute for Collaboration, 1347 Prairie St., Aurora

COST & INFO: Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Thomas Friedman will present "Pausing to Reflect on the Twenty-First Century." "Friedman doesn't just report on events; he helps shape them," wrote Foreign Policy magazine about the author of such books as "The Lexus and the Olive Tree" and "The World Is Flat." Admission is free. For information or to register, contact auartsandideas.com, 630-844-4924 or artsandideas@aurora.edu.

JACKIE EVANCHO

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6

WHERE: Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles

COST & INFO: Jackie Evancho at age 10 captured the hearts of millions as runner-up on “America’s Got Talent.” Since then, she has become a Billboard Classical charts star, with her debut studio album going gold, and charting three No. 1, platinum singles. The young soprano, now 16, became one of the most successful PBS performers in pledge history. Tickets start at $29. Upcoming Arcada shows will feature The Stylistics, Buddy Guy, Johnny Rivers, Travis Tritt and "A Bronx Tale," starring Chazz Palminteri in his one-man show. For ticket information, visit arcadalive.com or call 630-962-7000.

ESO TO ACCOMPANY CHAPLIN FILM

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8, and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 9 in Elgin, and Oct. 7 in Schaumburg

WHERE: Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin

COST & INFO: Elgin Symphony Orchestra will perform Charlie Chaplin's own score to his 90-minute silent film, "City Lights," which will be screened at the concert led by Resident Conductor Stephen Squires. The movie has been listed as one of the most influential films of all time. Popcorn will be provided by Mama Lee’s Gourmet Popcorn. For tickets, which start at $30, call 847-888-4000 or visit elginsymphony.org.

DRIVE-THROUGH PORK CHOP/CHICKEN DINNER

WHEN: 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 13

WHERE: Sugar Grove Fire Protection District, 25 Municipal Drive, Sugar Grove

COST & INFO: The Sugar Grove Firefighters' Association Auxiliary will offer a drive-through pork chop/chicken dinner by 5-B's Catering. The cost is $12 for two pieces of meat – two pork chops, two pieces of chicken, or a combination; $10 for one piece of meat; and $4 for a hot dog meal. Advance tickets offer $1 discount. The meals include applesauce, coleslaw, beans, rolls and butter. The auxiliary will sell homemade cookies at two for 50 cents. Call Alyssa Warner at 630-989-5268 for information.

READ TO ROVER

WHEN: 10 to 11 a.m. Oct. 8

WHERE: Sugar Grove Public Library, 125 S. Municipal Drive, Sugar Grove

COST & INFO: Children can spend some time practicing their reading skills with friendly dogs from the Fox Valley Therapy Dog Club. Kids who read on their own are invited to read to the dogs at the free event. Immediately following the "Read to Rover" program, author Amy Chally will discuss her new book, "Making Independence Happen, One Paw at a Time." The programs are for all ages and registration is required. Call 630-466-3941 for information.

BOOK CLUB ORGANIZING

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6

WHERE: Kaneville Public Library, 2S101 Harter Road, Kaneville

COST & INFO: A gathering is open to all adults interested in joining a book club with fellow book lovers. The club is free. Those attending the information meeting will discuss what books the group would like to read, and will create a meeting schedule for the fall and winter seasons. Call 630-557-2441 or email director.kpld@gmail.com for information.

HOLMSTAD'S BAZAAR

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 8

WHERE: The Holmstad's Town Center, Route 31 and Fabyan Parkway, Batavia

COST & INFO: The 39th annual Bazaar at The Holmstad will feature one-of-a-kind handmade gifts and collectibles, jewelry, woodshop creations, plants, needlecraft, Christmas cards, a boutique, Sweet Shoppe, gourmet nuts, bakery and books, plus a handmade silk-tie quilt raffle. Admission is free. Coffee and refreshments will be available for purchase from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and a light lunch from 10:45 a.m. to 2 p.m., with no reservations needed. A front door to Home Store shuttle service will be offered. For more information or to register for an event at The Holmstad, call 877-915-5177 or visit theholmstad.org.

BIG TREE TOUR

WHEN: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 8; 1 to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 12; and 10 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 22

WHERE: Bliss Woods Forest Preserve, 5S660 Bliss Road, Sugar Grove; Hannaford Woods Forest Preserve, 5S002 Merrill Road, Sugar Grove; and Glenwood Park Forest Preserve, 1644 S. River St., Batavia, respectively

COST & INFO: Guided tours of the biggest trees in Kane County will be offered at three sites this month. The walks will include tree identification, and advance registration is required for the free program. Call 630-444-3190 or e-mail programs@kaneforest.com. Visit kaneforest.com.

HEALING GARDENS

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 9

WHERE: Stone Hill Farm, 37W249 Dean St., St. Charles

COST & INFO: The two-acre Healing Gardens will welcome visitors one more time this season. The gardens are open to the public on set dates for the purpose of enjoying the natural wooded setting and perennial gardens. Admission costs $5 per person and $10 per family, and is free for cancer survivors. For a small donation to Healing Gardens, visitors can pick their own bouquet of flowers to take home or a clump of iris. Groups can schedule special days to visit. For more information, call 630-377-1846 or visit healinggardensatstonehillfarm.com. An optional outdoor Yoga in the Garden class from 1 to 2 p.m. will be taught by Nancy May; Visit yogafromtheheart.org or call 815-319-3500 to register.