Activities
Buffalo Grove Days isn't just music and carnival rides. We have fun activities planned for the entire weekend.
Rotary Bingo
Thursday
6:30 pm
Join the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove for their annual Bingo night at Buffalo Grove Days. Doors will open at 5:30; and, the first game will begin at 6:30 pm. There will be a total of 10 games, with a prize purse of $1,600. For more information, click on this link.
Community Blood Drive
Saturday
8 am - 2 pm
Give blood to those in need at the Community Blood Drive, sponsored by Vitalant, on Saturday, September 3 from 8 am until 2 pm at the Alcott Center, located at 530 Bernard Drive. There is currently a nationwide blood shortage; and, there is no substitute for human blood needed for not only trauma situations, but also cancer treatments and burn victims. The entire blood donation process is very safe and very fast; and, you can walk away knowing that your blood may help save lives!
During the event, participants can also support victims of the Highland Park tragedy by making donations to the Highland Park Community Foundation’s July 4 fund.
All donors will receive a Pint for a Pint coupon from Culvers. Donors can also register to have a t-shirt sent to their home address.
Make an appointment to donate here. If you cannot make the blood drive event, you still have the option of donating another time at a blood donation center, using the group code ORD0BG98.
Meet Me On Main Street
Business & Craft Fair
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
While you're here, visit with a variety of local businesses and crafters, that will be selling a variety of fun and interesting items. This part of the festival is being presented by the Buffalo Grove Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce. For information on being a vendor, please click on this link.
11 am - 7 pm
11 am - 7 pm
12 - 4 pm
Barbecue Challenge
Saturday
1 - 5 pm
After a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic, we are excited to be bringing back this fun tradition. Put your grilling skills to the test in this fun competition to see who is truly the king of the grill in Buffalo Grove.
Rules and an application can be found by clicking the button below. For more information, email bbq@bgdays.com.
Thank you to our in-kind sponsor, Melon Ink.
Children's Entertainment
We have a wide variety of children's entertainment planned for Buffalo Grove Days. Below is a schedule of the different activities and performances.
Saturday
1:30 - 2:15 pm
Nanny Nikki
Sunday
1:30 - 2:15 pm
Ben Tatar And The Tatar Tots
Saturday & Sunday
1:30 - 3 pm
On both weekend days, the Kids 90 team will be providing an area for children to do a variety of fun crafts. The Magic Team of Gary Kantor will also be traveling around the festival, performing magic tricks for families, as well as making dogs, butterflies, fish and other balloon animals for kids.
Saturday & Sunday
2:30 - 3 pm
The Buffalo Grove Park District's Big Deal Productions and Studio 83 are delighted to present highlights from their 2021-22 performance season. These will be concert-style performances from Big Deal’s presentations of Matilda, A Chorus Line, and Moana, Jr., as well as highlights from the Crescendo Show Choir. Special guest performances from the Buffalo Grove Park District’s award winning dance program, Studio 83, will also be featured.
Buddy Baseball Exhibition Game
Saturday
5 - 7 pm
The Buddy Baseball Exhibition Game is a Commissions for Residents with Disabilities event that includes 30-40 players and buddies. It will take place on Kendrigan Field at Rick Drazner Park (formerly called Twin Creeks Park), located at 401 Aptakisic Road on Saturday, September 3 from 5 - 7 pm. The game will begin at 5 pm (players and buddies should arrive at 4:45 pm).
If we get rained out, the game will be rescheduled to the following day, Sunday, September 4 at 5 pm.
If you would like to participate as a buddy or player, or for more information, contact Dean Klassman at 847.687.5307 or dean@pif-fin.com.
Parking Information
The parking lot at Rick Drazner Park will be for players and those with handicapped parking placards only. Parking for all buddies and spectators will be on LaSalle Lane, which is the street just south of Aptakisic (and the baseball field). There will be signage directing people to LaSalle Lane, and a clearly marked walking path to the field.
Thank you to our in-kind sponsors - Lou Malnati's, Walgreens (Lake Cook & Buffalo Grove Road), and Brian Wismer Entertainment - FunWizz.com.
Parade
CANCELED
The parade has been canceled.
In lieu of a parade this year, the Village has planned several alternative events to bring the community together including a community blood drive on Saturday and a family fun walk and pancake breakfast on Sunday morning.
Family Fun Walk
Sunday
8 am
A family fun walk is planned for Sunday morning, September 4, beginning at 8 am at the north end of Willow Stream Park. Attendees can park in the pool parking lot, located off of Farrington Drive , and meet at the northeast end. Officials from Buffalo Grove and Highland Park will address the crowd prior to the walk’s start. The walk will follow trails across the Route 83 overpass, and looping around Mike Rylko Community Park, to the large tent where the Pancake Breakfast will occur. Click here to see a map of the walk. The event is free; but, registration is encouraged . In addition, participants will have the opportunity to support victims of the July 4 Highland Park tragedy via donations to the Highland Park Community Foundation's July 4 fund.
Pancake Breakfast
Sunday
8:30 - 11:30 am
The Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove will host a pancake breakfast under the large tent at Mike Rylko Community Park on Sunday, September 4 from 8:30 to 11:30 am. The event is free; but, registration is encouraged. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to support victims of the July 4 Highland Park tragedy via donations to the Highland Park Community Foundation's July 4 fund. Please note: Breakfast will be provided for the first 1,000 people.
Rotary Duck Race
Sunday
5:15 pm
Join the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove for their annual Duck Race fundraiser at Buffalo Grove Days. This year's race will be held off-site, but broadcasted live on the big screens near the music stage.
Fun & Food
Monday
10 am - 12 pm
Every year, the Buffalo Grove Days Committee and the Rick Kahen Commission for Residents with Disabilities team up to present this special program for people with disabilities and their immediate families (living in the same household) to enjoy the fun of the festival. The event takes place in the carnival area. This year, we will be providing a to go lunch, with the option for people to stay and eat in the tent or surrounding picnic tables.
Thank you to our in-kind sponsor, Keynote Consulting, Inc, Kona Ice, North American Midway Entertainment, McDonalds (Route 83 & Arlington Heights Road), Walgreens (Lake Cook & Buffalo Grove Road), and the Dunkin' Donuts locations at 1165 McHenry Road in Buffalo Grove, and 3980 IL-22 in Long Grove. Please note: Food will be provided for first 375 registrants.
Car Show
Monday
11 am - 3:30 pm
We are excited to also be bringing this popular event back after it's pandemic break. Come on out to take a look at some of the coolest classic cars around.
Check-in/registration will be from 9 - 11 am. Voting will close at 2 pm, with awards being presented at 2:30 pm.
Festival Map
Location
Get to know your way around the fest!
Mike Rylko Community Park
951 McHenry Road
Buffalo Grove