5 things to do in McHenry County: Classic car show, fireworks, music

1. The 16th annual classic car and truck show at Stade’s Farm & Market, 3709 Miller Road in McHenry, is set for this weekend.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 18 and 19, and will feature a People’s Choice Award, burnout contest, food, attractions and games for all ages, and a pumpkin cannon demonstration.

The farm’s Shades of Autumn Fall Festival also will be in operation during the show, and regular admission prices will apply to the attraction area, which includes jumping pillows, slide hills, zip lines, pedal cars, a Ferris wheel, veggie cars, a bunny village, a petting zoo, and a restored 1920s carousel.

General admission to Stade’s Farm & Market costs $18 through September. Tickets for adults ages 65 and older cost $10, and are free for children ages 2 and younger. Season passes can be bought for $60. Each participating car will receive two free tickets.

For information, go to stadesfarmandmarket.com.

2. The Whispering Hills Fall Festival this Saturday will feature local artists, small business vendors, a mobile farm stand, a free craft table and giveaway.

The event continues from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Whispering Hills Garden and Landscape Center, 8401 S. Route 31 in Cary.

Among the vendors set to attend are McHenry County College’s Center for Agrarian Learning, the Cary Area Public Library, Twisted Stem, Smart Farm of Barrington, Certasun Solar, Sew Grand Quilts, My Blue Horse Art, Christopher Childers Photography, and Tropical Chill.

For information, go to whisperinghillsnursery.com.

3. The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is holding an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, with child fingerprinting, jail cell tours, vehicle and equipment displays, and motorcycle and K-9 demonstrations.

The K-9 demonstration will take place at noon, and the jail tours will be offered at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The office is located at 2200 N. Seminary Ave. in Woodstock. For information, go to Facebook and search “Sheriff’s Office Open House.”

4. Complete challenges and solve clues as part of the Amazing Race around the historic Woodstock Square this Saturday.

Check-in begins at 1 p.m. at the Woodstock Public Library, 414 W. Judd St., and the race will run from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. A social hour follows until 5 p.m. at Stage Left Café at the Woodstock Opera House, 125 W. Van Buren St., with prizes, a cash bar and a 50/50 raffle.

The cost is $25 a person, and teams of two to six people can register online at bit.ly/WoodstockAmazingRace.

Create a team with your friends. Check in at the library at 1 p.m. All funds raised benefit the Friends of the Old Courthouse, Friends of the Opera House, and Friends of Woodstock Public Library.

5. Hawaiian fire dancers and fireworks are among the entertainment being offered at Light the Night this Saturday at Miller Point on the McHenry Riverwalk.

The free event, put on by the McHenry Riverwalk Foundation, runs from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Live music will be offered from 5 to 6:30 p.m., followed by Hawaiian fire dancers from 6:30 to 7 p.m. and globe lighting at 7 p.m.

Dollar Giraffes, a band that plans a mix of originals and covers from various genres including rock, alternative, pop and reggae, will perform from about 7 to 9 p.m. Fireworks will conclude the evening.

For information, go to Facebook and search “McHenry Riverwalk Foundation.”