5 things to do in McHenry County: Truck Off in Woodstock and Art on the Fox in Algonquin

1. The Fox Valley Rocketeers, a local club of model rocketry enthusiasts, will host two rocket launches from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, Sept. 11 and 25, at the Davis Road Soccer Complex at Kishwaukee Park, 12320 Davis Road, Woodstock.

The launches and its monthly meetings are free and open to the public.

For information, go to www.foxvalleyrocketeers.org.

2. A trip to Normandy Park in Lake in the Hills on Saturday, Sept. 11, will be spiced up with games, contests and crafts.

The village of Lake in the Hills will be taking its new Rec2U van around to various village parks in the coming weeks as part of its new “Come Play with Us” series.

Up this week, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, is Normandy Park, 680 Normandy Lane. Future dates include Sept. 25 at Ford School Park, Oct. 9 at Lynn Dillow Park, and Nov. 6 at Jaycee Park.

Registration can be completed at bit.ly/LITHPlayWithUs.

3. The fourth annual Truck Off – with 40 food trucks, live music and a fire show among other entertainment – is set for Saturday, Sept. 11.

The event will take place from 5 to 11 p.m. at the McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock, with a VIP hour set for 4 to 5 p.m.

The event bills itself as “the biggest food truck fest in the region by a long shot.” Food trucks confirmed to attend constitute a lengthy list: Auntie Ann’s, Billy Bricks, Brothers BBQ, Cheesie’s Truck, Churros Y Chocolate, Cream-Crunch-N-More, Dee’s Place, Del Toro Street Taco, El Chido Street Tacos, El Zorro Tacos, Gillerson’s Grubbery, Dr. Gillerson’s EMT Food Truck, Girls Got Balls, Hub Market, Julie Ann’s Frozen Custard, Kiki’s Cotton Candy, Kissed By Fire, Kona Ice of McHenry County, La Calle Food Trucks, La Humita on Wheels, Marine Korn, Mario’s Cart, Meat on the Street, Mexy ’n You Know It, MJ’s Coffee, My Funnel, My Mama’s Donuts, Pierogi Rig, Pixie Dawgs, Puff Truck, Que Pasta, Riverside Chocolate Factory, RJ’s BBQ, Ruthella’s New Orleans Cuisine, Savor BBQ, Sernas Grill, Stix and Noodles, Tacos Marios, Two Buds One Joint, and Your Sister’s Tomato.

The headliner band will be 7th Heaven, and among the other family fun and entertainment is Joe Diamond, dubbed “America’s greatest mind reader,” and a fire show at dusk, according to the event website.

Because the event is falling on Sept. 11, admission is free for all first responders, their spouses and their children. The cost otherwise is $10 ahead of time, $15 on the day of, with free admission for children. VIP admission, which includes the extra hour in advance plus two drinks, is $20 in advance and $25 that day.

Tickets can be bought at tinyurl.com/TruckOffTickets. Proceeds benefit McHenry County Fair Foundation.

For information, go to truckoff.net.

4. Art on the Fox will bring together nearly 100 artists this weekend, running 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Algonquin.

The festival, hosted by the village of Algonquin and its Public Arts Commission, is free to enter and will feature the work of top national juried artists, live musical performances, interactive artist demonstrations and other activities, according to its event listing.

Among the art being sold and displayed will be paintings, ceramics, glass, jewelry and sculpture. Artists will be on hand to discuss their works.

Live performances from Cirrus Falcon and the Ron Steta Trio will take place at Old Town Algonquin.

While walk-ups are welcome, timed reservations also are being accepted as a way to limit crowds, according to the listing. Free reservations can be made online at amdurproductions.com/event/2021-art-on-the-fox-algonquin/.

5. The fourth annual Mexican Independence Day celebration will be held Sunday, Sept. 12, in the historic Woodstock Square with food, a mechanical bull, bounce houses and music.

The event, which will run from noon to 7 p.m., is free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Among the entertainment lined up is Mariachi Nuevo Mexico at noon, Mariachi Festival at 1 p.m., Tamborazo at 2 p.m., Chinelos at 3 p.m., Ballet Folklorico Erandi at 4 p.m., Grupo Xcelencia at 5 p.m. and Banda Reyna de Chicago at 6 p.m., according to the event’s Facebook page.