5 Things to do in Will County: activities the whole family can enjoy

Living history, Sponge Bob, dinosaurs, vintage fair, food trucks

5 Things To Do near me

1) This Friday, from 4 to 7 p.m., celebrate the completion of the new, outdoor Native American lifeways exhibit and then check out, from 4 to 8 p.m., the following food trucks: Rogue Farm to Curbside Kitchen, Grumpy Gaucho, Rose Street Eats and Catering, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Metal Monkey Brewing.

Whihle you’re there, visit the museum that interprets the Fur Trade Era of the 1700s and stop by the Traders Cabin. The new exhibit A Public Museum Capital Grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources made this exhibit possible, according to a news release from the Forest Preserve District of Will County.

The event is free and for all ages. Registration is not required. For more information, visit reconnectwithnature.org.

2) This weekend, take the family out to see the Joliet Drama Guild’s “The SpongeBob Musical” at the Billie Limacher Park and Theatre, located at 201 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet. Show times are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday as well as Aug. 6 and Aug. 7. Matinee showings are 2 p.m. Sunday and Aug. 8.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for kids and seniors. Purchase tickets by calling 815-715-8881 or emailing dg@thejolietdramaguild.com. For more information, visit thejolietdramaguild.com.

3) At 8:30 p.m. on Friday, enjoy a drive-in showing of “Jurassic Park” at Hassert Park, located at19623 Renwick Road in Crest Hill. The cost is $5 per car (residents) or $15 per car (non-residents). Attendees must register in advance at lockportpark.org, or 815-838-1183. Concessions will be available.

4) More than 150 local vendors and crafters will be present at the Rustic Vintage Fair this Saturday at the Francis Field Youth Foundation, located at 801 E. Francis Road in New Lenox. Shopping begins 9 a.m. Entry fee is $2.

5) On Saturday, the Manhattan Township Historical Society will host a free, all age outdoor living history event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 255 South State Street.

The Cypress Company, a Civil War reenacting troupe in period uniforms, will set up camp behind the museum near the caboose and display food rations, weaponry and the typical personal equipment of an infantryman. Other features include a cavalry company with live horses and an artillery unit displaying a cannon and ammunition cart and showing how the cannon would have been loaded and fired. There will also be periodic infantry drills with marching, weapon handling and actual musket fire.

For more information, email ManhattanHistorical@yahoo.com or visit Facebook.com/ManhattanHistoricalSociety.

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