LEGOS, Witches and Crocodiles: Your Five Best Bets for the Weekend

It’s never too early to start planning your weekend plans. Patch has got you covered.

1) Lake Forest Symphony’s October Concert: Come check out some A+ local talent with the Lake Forest Symphony’s October concert. This month’s performance features a piece by composer-in-residence Jim Stephenson, as well as some old favorites. (And we mean literally old. Brahm’s Symphony No. 4, which is set to be played, was written in 1885!) Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday Oct. 20, 8-10 p.m. Tickets range from $27 to $54 and are available online here. 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake.

2) ‘The Witch’s Brew’ at Lake Forest Open Lands: There’s a witch loose in the Middlefork Farm Nature Preserve, and she needs local children’s help in solving the missing portions of her long lost recipe meant to protect the local animals! Citadel Theatre is bringing this truly unique event to Lake Forest this weekend, providing attendees a chance to walk the preserve trails, search for clues and see a whole new side to the Lake Forest Open Lands. Whole Foods-Deerfield will be providing snacks. Citadel Theater notes that the event is appropriate for children ages 5 and up, and costumes are encouraged. Dress warm, and don’t forget your chairs, blankets and flashlights! Thursday Oct. 18 through Sunday Oct. 21 at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for Open Lands members and $15 general admission. Tickets are available here or at the door. Lake Forest Open Lands Association, 350 N. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest.

3) CROCtoberFEST: Join members of the Chicago Herpetological Society for short talks about crocodiles – as well as living crocodilians that live right in Lake Forest! (Or at the Wildlife Discovery Center, at least.) Jim Nesci and his world-renown ‘Bubba’ the American Alligator will be there, as well as a scavenger hunt, craft vendors and a story time. Saturday, Oct. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. $5 donation at the door. 1401 Middlefork Dr., Lake Forest.

4) A LEGO Experience: The Farnsworth House: As part of the Lake Forest Lake Bluff Historical Society’s annual Local Legends program, the society is hosting a children’s LEGO architectural program featuring the iconic Farnsworth House. The price of ticket includes a LEGO kit of the Farnsworth House. Saturday, Oct. 20, 2 p.m., Gorton Community Center, 400 East Illinois Rd in Lake Forest, $30 for LF-LB Historical Society family members, $35 for non-members. Reservations are required and seating is limited.

5) Candidate Debate – Lake County Administrative Offices: 65.6 million people may have tuned in for the Presidential Debate this past Tuesday, but how prepared are you to vote in your local elections? Come to the League of Women Voter’s debate on Sunday to learn a little more about the candidates running in your own backyard – this time for the positions of State’s Attorney, Coroner and Clerk of the Circuit Court. As a special bonus, your very own Patch editor will also be there – stop by and say hi! Sunday, Oct. 21 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Free. Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Senior Citizen Center, 100 E. Old Mill Rd., Lake Forest.

What did we miss? Let us know in the comments!

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