The Lake in the Hills Summer Sunset Festival will be held from 3-10:30 p.m. Sept. 1, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sept. 2 and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road.

McHenry County

Annual Rauetoberfest on tap at Woodstock farm

Raue Center for the Arts, located in Crystal Lake, will present the 4th Annual Rauetoberfest from 2-10 p.m. Sept. 9 at Beyond Stable Farm, 11129 Route 176, Woodstock. The event includes traditional German music, featuring Die Musikmeisters, traditional German fare courtesy of The Public House, Kinderfest (for kids) and the Root Bier Garten (open until 6 p.m.). Admission is $5 at the gate (cash only) and free (ages 8 and under). Express Passes are available for $20, and include a pint glass with one free beer, a root beer mug, special seating and snacks, an express beverage line and “swag.” To purchase an Express Pass, and for more information, call the Raue Center box office at 815-356-9212 or visit www.rauecenter.org.

McHenry Township

Township offers program to renew driver’s licenses

McHenry Township will host a special program, featuring the Secretary of State’s Office Mobile Drivers Services Unit and the Rules of the Road Course, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 7 at McHenry Township Hall, 3703 N. Richmond Road, Johnsburg. The Rules of the Road Course (10-11:30 a.m.) is designed to provide drivers of all ages with the knowledge and confidence needed to obtain or renew a driver’s license. The review course updates drivers on the current rules of the road and prepares participants for the general written and road sign exams. The Mobile Unit provides area residents an opportunity to obtain or renew Illinois driver’s licenses or state ID cards, and includes vision-screening exams and photos. License plate stickers will be available for purchase as well. Proper identification will be required for all services. For more information, call 815-385—5605 or visit www.mchenrytownship.com.

Fox Lake

1st Annual Fox Lake Fish Fest on tap

The Fox Lake Parks & Recreation Department will host the 1st Annual Fox Lake Fish Fest on Sept. 8 and 9. The event begins with the Mayor’s Fish Fry at 5 p.m. Sept. 8 at Lakefront Park, 71 Nippersink Blvd. The cost is $15 (per person) and $8 (ages 8 and under). Admission includes all-you-can-eat fish, two sides and a non-alcoholic beverage. Beer will be available for purchase. Fish Fest continues with the Fox Lake Youth Fishing Derby from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 9 at Lakefront Park. The event (for children ages 16 and under; parents are encouraged to attend) will begin with a fishing class/presentation, followed by the Fishing Derby. Prizes will be awarded in four categories: Largest Fish (weight), Smallest Fish (length), Ugliest Fish (judge’s decision) and Most Fish. Fishing equipment will be available, but participants are encouraged to bring their own, if possible. Children under age 16 are not required to have a fishing license. Admission is free. For more information, call (847) 587-2151 or visit www.foxlake.org.

Fox River Grove

Waitrovich gets nod as new Police Chief

The village announced that Eric Waitrovich has been appointed to the position of Police Chief of the Fox River Grove Police Department. Waitrovich will succeed current Police Chief Ron Lukasik, who will retire Sept. 1 after serving the department for 25 years. Waitrovich joined the department as a police officer in 2007 and was promoted to Sergeant in 2013. As Sergeant, he was responsible for managing the daily operations of the department, including oversight of training, scheduling and patrol-related functions. Waitrovich holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Saint Norbert College (Wis.), and is a graduate of the Police Staff and Command course at Northwestern University.

 Lake in the Hills

 Village to host Summer Sunset Festival

The Lake in the Hills Summer Sunset Festival will be held from 3-10:30 p.m. Sept. 1, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sept. 2 and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road. The event includes the Sunset 5K Run/Walk (7 p.m. Sept. 1), the Summer Sunset Parade (10 a.m. Sept. 2), a carnival, a classic/custom car show, Family Bingo, crafts, a bags tournament, a talent contest, food and beer, wine tasting and a fireworks display (9:30 p.m.Sept. 3). Live music on the Woods Creek Tavern Main Stage includes headliners Infinity (9 p.m. Sept. 1), Modern Day Romeos (9 p.m. Sept. 2) and Libido Funk Circus (8 p.m. Sept. 3). In addition, the Sunset Fun Zone will feature a variety of kids and family activities Sept. 2 and 3. Admission is free. For more information, call 847-960-7400 or visit www.summersunsetfest.com.

Cary

Village opens newly designed bike routes

The village reported that newly designed bicycle routes — part of a recent roadway resurfacing program — have been established along Georgetown Drive and Cimarron Drive to connect the numerous parks and trails in the area. The new bicycle routes, along with another route along West Main Street through the Greenfield subdivision, connect popular outdoor destinations such as Hoffman Park, Kaper Park, Greenfields Park and the paved trail alongside Cary-Algonquin Road. In addition, the work along Georgetown Drive includes the village’s first example of on-street bicycle lanes. One of the goals for the bicycle route striping is enhanced roadway safety, and the new lane configuration is designed to help vehicles and bicycles share the road while encouraging slower traffic. On-street bicycle lanes are also considered a low-cost means of encouraging “green” non-motorized modes of transportation. For more information, call 847-639-0003 or visit www.caryillinois.com.

Woodstock

 Opera House to host TSP’s 50th Anniversary Gala

The Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., will host TSP’s 50th Anniversary Gala Concert and Reception, beginning at 7 p.m. Sept. 9.The event, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the TownSquare Players (TSP) — McHenry County’s oldest community theatre company — will feature a variety of artists and songs from past TSP productions, as well as a post-concert gala reception. Proceeds from the event will be donated to domestic violence agency Turning Point and FISH of McHenry County Food Pantry, and toward the purchase of new keyboard and sound equipment. Tickets for the concert are $35 (A Seating), $30 (B Seating) and $25 (C Seating). Tickets for the reception (sold separately) are $15. To purchase tickets, and for more information, call the box office at 815-338-5300 or visit www.woodstockoperahouse.com.

–McHenry County News Briefs–