Elgin and Dundee libraries offering summer reading programs
The Gail Borden and Fox Valley public library districts have launched summer youth reading programs.
Gail Borden’s Power Up Reading Challenge, which started this month, allows children to track their reading progress through the Beanstack app or website or on paper to earn prizes, including free swim passes for Wing Park and Lords Park family aquatic centers, an invite to the Power Up Party, gift cards and toys.
Kick-off events will be held May 30 at the main library, 270 N. Grove Ave., and the Rakow Branch, 2751 W. Bowes Road, both in Elgin. The challenge runs through Friday, Aug. 1.
For more information or to sign up, go to gailborden.info/read2025.
Fox River Valley Public Library District’s “Level Up at Your Library” challenge also started this month but will officially kick off on Sunday, June 1, according to a news release. The program features a board game-style format, with young readers keeping track of their progress through the Beanstack app or website or a paper log.
A kick-off picnic will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 2, at the Randall Oaks Park’s front shelter, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. The challenge runs through Thursday, July 31.
For more information, go to www.frvpld.info.
Arctic Wolf Ale House collecting food pantry donations
As part of the festivities to mark its first anniversary, Arctic Wolf Ale House in West Dundee is collecting donations for the FISH Food Pantry.
“We’ve decided to host a charity donation box for FISH Food Pantry,” business owner DilanPijolli said.
Arctic Wolf opened in May 2025 in the strip mall at Huntley Road and Tartans Glen Drive in West Dundee.
Pijolii lived in Alaska, prior to moving to Illinois. His parents run a diner in Anchorage, he said.
Crowds gathered along Douglas Avenue in downtown Elgin Monday for the city annual Fourth of July parade. Among the entrants was Elgin’s Public Works Department, which showed off some of its heavy machinery.
Registration underway for Elgin’s 4th of July parade, pet parade
Registration will continue through Friday, June 6, for anyone who wants to participate in Elgin’s Fourth of July parade and pet parade.
The parade registration fee is $120 for businesses and $35 for nonprofits, according to the city’s website. There’s no entry fee to take part in the pet parade. Registration may close earlier than June 6 if either event reaches capicity prior to that date, officials said.
The pet parade will start at 8:30 a.m. Friday, July 4, at the intersection of Douglas Avenue and Ann Street and end at Douglas and Highland avenues, near Elgin City Hall. The regular parade will start at 9 a.m. at Douglas and Slade avenues and end about 11 a.m. at Douglas and Highland.
For more information or to register, go to elginil.gov/1740/Fourth-of-July.
