Carpentersville Independence Day parade, fireworks Saturday

Carpentersville will hold its Independence Day parade at 10 a.m. Saturday in Old Town followed that evening by a festival and fireworks from 6 to 10 in Meadowdale Park.

According to the village’s website, the parade will begin at Lincoln Avenue and Main Street and will travel east on Main before heading south on Washington Avenue, east on Spring Street, north on Lord Avenue and east on Maple Avenue. It ends at Carpenter Park.

Dundee Township Park District will host the community fest from 6 to 9 p.m. in Meadowdale Park, 1201 LW Besinger Drive, according to the park district’s website. The gathering will feature entertainment, food vendors and community organization booths. The fireworks show is set to start at 9:30 p.m.

Gifford Park Association picnic set for Saturday at square

The Gifford Park Association will hold its annual summer picnic from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday in Gifford Park, 355 DuPage St., Elgin.

Lawn games, food and other activities will be part of the event, according to the association’s website.

Gifford Park is the city’s oldest public square. It was deeded to Elgin in 1858 by city founder James Gifford. The neighborhood park has a playground, a gazebo for performing events and a flower garden.

For more information, email info@gpaelgin.org.

Power of Drag show to feature Elgin-area performers

Eight Elgin-area residents will debut as drag performers as part of “The Power of Drag” show being presented from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin.

The amateur drag queens will compete in a lip-sync contest, according to a social media post for the event. The show is also being billed as “a tribute to the rich history of drag and its powerful role in the LGBTQ+ movement.”

Tickets are $25 and $30. For tickets, go to www.eventbrite.com/e/the-power-of-drag-amateur-drag-show-an-elevating-equity-project-tickets-1320705528789.

Elgin History Museum holding fundraiser at forest preserve

Elgin History Museum will hold a summer picnic fundraiser at 11 a.m. Sunday at the John Duerr Forest Preserve, 35W003 Route 31, South Elgin.

The event will begin with lunch, followed by lawn games and live music from The Jammers, according to the museum’s website.

At 1 p.m., guests will take a private ride on one of the Fox River Trolley Museum trolleys, which will include a special history program.

Tickets are $25 for museum members, $30 for nonmembers. For tickets and information, go to elginhistory.org/event/summer-picnic-fundraiser.

— Mike Danahey