Top 10 Things To Do in August 2018
By: Jonathan Jones 07/26/2018
"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" - Billy Shakes (or William Shakespeare if you're looking for a government name source).
Are we past the summer's midway point? Not entirely, but August is jam-packed full of splendid warm season events for you and the family to put on the docket.
The festivals reign supreme in Lake County. To find a full schedule of the summer party sessions, continue here.
What’s better than sipping on an adult drink while basking in the Lake County sun with your closest pals? Stroll down the Lake County Libation Trail and indulge in the locally-crafted beverages the area has to offer. Click here to learn more.
If you haven't experienced the largest loop coaster in the world, the Mardi Gras Hangover, you must head to Six Flags Great America & Hurricane Harbor immediately. Not only has the Gurnee amusement park added its 16th coaster to the park, but they're also celebrating Fat Tuesday for the next two weeks in honor of the thrill ride.
Let's take a look at the top 10 things to do in August 2018.
“There is a-splishin’ and a-splashin,’ reelin’ with the feelin,’ movin’ and a-groovin,’ rockin’ and a-rollin'” at Hurricane Harbor water park at Six Flags Great America. This Gurnee water park offers 17 refreshing attractions to help you beat the summer heat. Take a dip in the drink, recline, relax and experience all the thrills of your adventure at Hurricane Harbor. Hurricane Harbor is open through Labor Day weekend.
August 1-31. Ticket prices vary. Hurricane Harbor, 542 N. Route 21, Gurnee.
The Highland Park deity is entering it's final full month of excellent performances of the summer. Also in August, the Ravinia Stearns Music Institute also celebrates 30 years being active. When visiting the nation's oldest outdoor music fest be sure to pack some snacks, blankets, lawn chairs and of course a healthy dose of vino. Ravinia runs through September 16.
As we approach the halfway point to summer, here are some of the August box socials to save the date for summer festival season.
The famous white stallions of Old Mill Creek have entertained audiences for six decades with their flying horse movements, four-horse ballet and other historical nuggets. They just celebrated their 60th Birthday last month and don't show any signs of slowing down. Tempel Lipizzans if anyone says you didn't age well, Visit Lake County will say neigh!
August 1, 5, 15, 19, 22, 25; Various times. Various admissions. Tempel Lipizzan, 17000 Wadsworth Rd., Old Mill Creek.
This Lake Forest facility is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The center is available for visitors to connect, converse, learn, listen and perform. Gorton Community Center has a slew of events in August.
6. Food Truck Fridays (August 3, 17 and 31)
Lincolnshire’s Food Truck Fridays is located in the Corporate Center Parking Lot and offers a variety of choices in the gourmet eats department. The foodie frenzy includes trucks such as Mothers Truckin Good Food, Mario's Cart Race for the Taste, Toasty Cheese, Grill Chasers, Toasty Taco, Happy Lobster and more. Take in the aromas that waft through the air, while a delectable dish is prepared right in front of your eyes.
It doesn’t have to be in the dead of winter to enjoy Wilmot Mountain. The Wisconsin fun zone is hosting an event for youngsters to strengthen physical and emotional bonds through a series of challenges centered on building grit and resilience. The Wilmot Kids Adventure Games course features biking, trekking, rope swings, mud pits, cargo nets, a giant Slip ‘N Slide, zip lines and other exciting obstacles. Register now at
Wilmotmountain.com.
Friday-Sunday, August 3-5; Fri.-Sun. 1-5 p.m. Wilmot Mountain, 11931 Fox River Rd., Wilmot, WI.
The big bears are practicing in the teenage cougar's habitat. Vernon Hills High School (Cougars) are hosting a Chicago Bears training camp practice on their field on August 22. While the pros will take Rust-Oleum Field, VHHS players have the opportunity to practice at the Walter Payton Center at Halas Hall in Lake Forest. The gates and parking open at 4 p.m (there are only 1,000 parking spaces available). "Da Bears" will play in full uniform and practice from 6-8:50 p.m. Fireworks will follow the event. To attend the "training camp dress rehearsal," Monster of the Midway fans will need to purchase the tickets at
chicagobears.com. Only 5,000 tickets will be sold for the event.
Wednesday, August 22; Gates 4 p.m., Practice 6 p.m. Vernon Hills High School, 145 Lakeview Pkwy., Vernon Hills.
The Illinois Office of Tourism is celebrating the state's Bicentennial year. Illinois is offering special events that encourage visitors to experience the state's many contributions to architecture, history, culture and agriculture in a new way. Doors Open Illinois is a program featuring Village Tavern in Long Grove and various other sites where you can hear all of the stories that make the Land of Lincoln what it is today. The Village Tavern is Illinois's longest standing bar and restaurant. The tavern that opened its doors in 1847 still entices suds aficionados and food fanatics to this day. The Long Grove entity will open their doors early to shed some light on some historical nuggets - also you can have a brew as well as their Bourbon Street skirt steak, prime rib, broasted chicken or crusted tilapia.
Saturday-Sunday, August 25-26; Free entry. Food and drink have various costs. Village Tavern, 135 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove.
The Lincoln Funeral Train is a historically accurate full-sized re-creation of the locomotive and rail car that carried the body of President Abraham Lincoln from Washington, DC, to Springfield, IL, in 1865. The Lincoln Funeral Train debuted in May 2015 as a highlight of Springfield's sesquicentennial funeral events and toured the Midwest throughout 2015 as part of the nation's 150th commemoration of Abraham Lincoln's assassination. This replica artifact will be on display in Antioch until September 9. The event will also have Civil War re-enactors, 1860s music and more on Labor Day weekend.
August 25-September 9; Daily 9-10 a.m and 1-6 p.m. Admission: $5. Antioch.
For more information on the top events in August, continue here. 
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