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Recreation and Tourism

FALL
A cadre of funny, scary, hip, goofy, mechanical, big, small, ugly, handsome and/or just plain corny scarecrows invade Memorial Park in downtown Barrington in October for the annual Scarecrow Festival. The free festival features pony rides; scarecrow, pumpkin and cookie decorating; games and children’s activities; a moonwalk and slide for the kids; and food provided by the Barrington Breakfast Rotary.

This community event invites everyone, adults as well as kids, to create scarecrows. Materials are provided; you can also bring clothing and accessories. More than 75 local merchants also adorn their storefront with scarecrows, and fest-goers are urged to vote for their favorites, online and at the festival- as many as you like!

2012 marks the ninth annual Barrington Taste’ fest and EXPO, co-sponsored by the Chamber and Barrington Bank & Trust. Set against a background of live jazz and New Orleans’ Bourbon Street, guests get to sample the signature dishes and libations of more than 40 of the region’s finest restaurants, breweries and wineries, as well as visit several local businesses offering samples of their products and services. Proceeds from Taste’fest benefit the Chamber’s many small business educational programs and resources, and help fund the BACC Scholarship Program.

WINTER
Even when there’s snow on the ground and the winter winds are blowing, there’s NO excuse for not getting in your daily activity and exercise regimen!

Programs and activities don’t go into winter hibernation at the Barrington Park District; in fact, they increase in participation, with numerous programs available throughout the winter for just about all interests and ages.

The basketball program, for example, starts with first graders, and has leagues for kids in third-eighth grades, plus a boys high school intramural league and even a mens league. Other programs for youth as well as adults are wide-ranging: dance, art, Tae Kwon Do, volleyball, cheerleading, tumbling, theater, fitness, speed and agility classes and even dog obedience.

In addition to regular programs, winter-time special events hosted by the Barrington Park District and available to residents are: October Halloween Spooktacular, November Showcase of Arts & Treasures, December Polar Express, Lunch with Santa, Holiday Bedtime Stories and the newest event, Moon Years Eve Ball.

SPRING The Barrington Celtic Fest was created to expand a one-day spring celebration, St. Patrick’s Day, into a larger, longer festival for everyone to enjoy, involve local merchants and provide another entertainment option for the Barrington region.

“It increases awareness of Barrington and the region, brings in people from neighboring towns and helps promote Barrington as a fun place to visit. The village of Barrington continues to cultivate and support the community,” says Bryan McGonigal of McGonigal’s Pub, who helped create and has strongly supported the event.

SUMMER
The start of summer signals the annual weekend-long Barrington Country Garden and Antique Fair, presented every June by not-for-profit Hands of Hope. The much anticipated event features: The French Market, an antique and garden boutique featuring 18 area merchants; Avant Garden, the ever-popular flea market; garden party vignettes outdoor party settings created by leading area designers; pastries prepared by Ambrosia Euro American Patisserie of Barrington and lunch provided by Egg Harbor Cafe Barrington; and garden and horticultural presentations.

Hands of Hope partners with not-for-profit organizations that have proven track records of success and sustainability. Together, the organizers and volunteers of Hands of Hope envision, create, manage and sustain projects to improve agriculture, economic development, education, health care and water.

In July, the Barrington Chamber presents its annual Sidewalk Days, so well-renowned for its bargains and activities that it attracts shoppers from throughout the region and as far away as downtown Chicago and the far west suburbs. Sidewalk Sale Days is a juried retail exhibit showcasing a variety of retail stores and outdoor vendors lining the sidewalks of downtown Barrington along Route 14 and including stores in The Foundry, Ice House Mall Village Shops, shops at Lageshulte and along Route 14.


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