Here are some events happening from Aug. 23 to 29 in the Chicago suburbs and Northwest Indiana.
For the love of corn
The Elote Festival is from 3 to 11 p.m. Aug. 23 to 25 at the Cultural and Civic Center Grounds in Round Lake Beach. Tickets are free. At 2007 Civic Center Way. 847-546-2002; facebook.com/RLBCC.
There will be multiple elote vendors selling everything from elote in a cup to on a stick and on top of other foods. There will be dance lessons, kids’ activities, live music from Spanish and English bands and a Northern Lights drone show.
(Almost) halfway to St. Paddy’s Day
Gaelic Park Irish Fest is from 4 to 11 p.m. Aug. 23, 3 to 11 p.m. Aug. 24 and 1 to 8 p.m. Aug. 25 at Chicago Gaelic Park in Oak Forest. Tickets are $15 per day. At 6119 W. 147th St. 708-687-9323; chicagogaelicparkirishfest.org/irish-fest.
Many Irish bands and Irish dance schools will perform, as well as storytellers and pipe and drum bands. For an extra cost, you can book a Guinness experience, a Tullamore Dew experience, cooking demonstration or Irish food discussion with Galway chef J.P. McMahon.
This play doesn’t suck
The Janus Theatre Company presents “Life Sucks” at 8 p.m. Aug. 23 and 24 and 2 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Elgin Art Showcase in Elgin. Tickets are $20. At 164 Division St. 847-363-3573; janusplays.com.
Written by Aaron Posner, the play is loosely adapted from “Uncle Vanya” by Anton Chekhov. A group of old friends, ex-lovers, estranged in-laws and lifelong enemies gather to tackle life’s toughest questions — and each other.
Hot ‘n’ cold
The Midwest Hops and Hot Sauce Fest is from 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 24 at Wilder Park in Aurora. Tickets are $49. At 350 N.River St. hopsandhotsauce.com.
The inaugural event will feature a variety of craft beers from local breweries alongside artisanal hot sauces and spicy foods from local makers. There will also be live music from The Breakfast Club and Nerdvana, food trucks, a cigar bar, games and more.
Country nights
Sam Hunt performs at 7 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Hard Rock Live venue at the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary. Tickets are $79-$120. At 5400 W. 29th Ave. 219-228-2383; hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com.
Country singer Sam Hunt is known for hits like “Body Like a Back Road,” “Breaking Up Was Easy in the ’90s” and “House Party.” The Grammy-award nominated singer was a college football player and wrote songs for other artists before scoring his own record deal.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.