5 Suburban holiday festivals begin Thursday

Five Northwest suburban festivals begin today, and another starts on Friday. Here's what you need to know to successfully go "festing" close to home.

Arlington Heights Frontier Days: today-July 4, Recreation Park, 500 Miner St. Three live entertainment stages, food, bingo, carnival rides, games and contests, the Frontier Days Stampede, arts and crafts and more. Hours: 5-11 p.m. today, 5 p.m.-midnight Friday, noon-midnight Saturday and Sunday, noon-10 p.m. Monday. Main stage: 8 p.m. today, Semple Band featuring Keith Semple; 8 p.m. Friday, Plain White T's; 8 p.m. Saturday, The Wallflowers; 8 p.m. Sunday, Here Come The Mummies; 7:30 p.m. Monday, American English. Park in downtown Arlington Heights and grab a shuttle to the fest grounds. Free admission. Details, frontierdays.org.

Barrington Fourth of July Days: July 1-4, under the Brat Tent in the Metra north commuter lot, downtown Barrington. Food, live music, family entertainment, hosted by the Barrington Lions Club. Hours: 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1-10 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday. Admission: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. free; 5 p.m.-close $5 for 18 and older (17-under free). Main stage Friday: Sons of Bildor, 4:30 p.m.; Lance Lipinsky and the Lovers, 8:30 p.m. Main stage Saturday: The Allstars, 4:30 p.m. C16, 8:30 p.m. Main stage Sunday: Consolidated Music Rockstar 101, 1-3 p.m.; Northwest Line Septet, 4-4:45 p.m.; Mark Domanico, Kelly Donlea & Friends, 5-7 p.m.; John Ballantyne & Crazy Heart, 7:30-10 p.m. On Monday, the Barrington Community Band plays noon-2 p.m. For information and a schedule of events, visit Living60010.com.

Bartlett Fourth of July Fest: today-July 4, Apple Orchard Park, Stearns and South Bartlett roads. Live music, games, food, beer, turtle races, nonprofit expo, carnival, children's entertainment, more. Hours: 5:30-11 p.m. today and Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, 3-11 p.m. Sunday, noon-11 p.m. Monday. Main stage today: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Smokin Gunz, 8:30-11 p.m. American English. Main stage Friday: 5:30-7:50 p.m. Neverly Brothers; 8:30-11 p.m. Wedding Banned. Main stage Saturday: 6:30-8 p.m. Bad Medicine; 8:30-11 p.m. And Beyond. Main stage Sunday: 5:30-8 p.m. Rick Lindy & Wild Ones; 8:30-11 p.m. Hi Infidelity. Main stage Monday: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Modern Day Romeos. Turtle races, 4 p.m. Monday at Aquatic Center. bartlett4thofjuly.com.

Mount Prospect Lions Club Festival: today-July 4, Melas Park, Central Road at Busse Road. Live entertainment, food, rides, raffles, two fireworks shows and more. Hours: 6-11 p.m. today, 5:30-11 p.m. Friday, 1-11 p.m. Saturday-Monday. Main stage today: Hi Infidelity, 8:30-9:45 p.m. and 10-11 p.m. -- with fireworks in the middle. Main stage Friday: Classical Blast, 6:30-8 p.m.; Trippin' Billies, 8:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Main stage Saturday: The Good Mondays, 6:30-8 p.m.; 7th Heaven, 8:30-11 p.m. Main Stage Sunday: Serendipity, 6:30-8 p.m.; Chicago Experience, 8:30-11 p.m. Main stage Monday: Joy Goeppner & Backdated plays 8:30 and 10 p.m. shows, with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Car show, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Mount Prospect Public Works, 1700 W. Central Road. mplions.org.

Northwest Fourth-Fest: today-July 4, Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. Carnival, live entertainment, food, drink, games. Hours: 6-10 p.m. today, 6-11 p.m. Friday, 1-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Monday (carnival only). Main stage Friday: Stereo Hearts, 6:30 p.m.; Suburban Cowboys, 8:30 p.m. Main stage Saturday: Serendipity, 4 p.m.; American English, 6:30 p.m.; Hi Infidelity, 8:30 p.m. Main stage Sunday: The Gingers, 4:30 p.m. Hairbangers Ball, 6:30 p.m. and 7th Heaven, shows at 8:30 and 10 p.m. with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Arts & crafts fair: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Free admission, free parking on-site. northwestfourthfest.com; Fourth of July hotline: (847) 252-5446.

Palatine Hometown Fest: today-July 4, Community Park, 262 E. Palatine Road. Live music, food, drinks, carnival, games, arts & crafts, Business & Charity Expo, more. Hours: 5-10 p.m. today, 5 p.m.-midnight Friday, noon-midnight Saturday and Sunday, noon-10 p.m. Monday. Friday headliners: Don't Speak, 8:30 p.m. and Hot Sauce Committee, 10 p.m. Saturday headliners: Hello Weekend, 7:30 p.m. and Mike & Joe, 10 p.m. Sunday headliners: Serendipity, 3 p.m., Cowboy Jukebox, 5 p.m., Bucket #6, 7:30 p.m. and Modern Day Romeos, 10 p.m. Monday headliners: Hot Rocks, 3 p.m.; GooRoo, 5:30 p.m. and The Personnel, 8 p.m. Free admission. palatinejaycees.org/hometown-fest.