With a packed weekend of vendors, live music, races, a parade, kids activities, food and family traditions, organizers of a long running Lanark festival hope this year’s fun helps create memories for a new generation while honoring America’s 250th.

Find out where to launch your small watercraft or learn how to kayak.

Don't miss out on all Batavia has to offer this summer and beyond.

Kane County Magazine's resident beauty expert shines a light on the melting pot that is American style.

It's the little things at the heart of the USA that make it special.

Edible works of art are being made by a pair of Sterling teachers who have taken a friendship established through coaching to the baking business.

From prairie restoration and bird habitat to Indigenous cultural preservation and public trails, a Jo Daviess County organization is protecting landscapes and connecting people with nature on scenic terrain.

Leaves of history: A former church in Leaf River now protects the town’s memories. Inside, its dedicated volunteers preserve photos, artifacts and stories that refuse to fade.

The preservation of natural areas has become a winning mission in Winnebago County, where there are more than 40 places to get away and enjoy the flora and fauna thrive – in forests, wetlands and along the county's winding rivers.

Check in with water park and water recreation safety in your area.

Find out how local volunteers are developing a more sustainable future for the community.

Summer break is the perfect time to catch up on your tbr list. Don't miss out on these tried and true titles!

This accomplished musician adds his expertise to PM Music Center in Aurora.

A Dixon man brings calm, ceremony and Percheron horses to make wedding days unforgettable with each trot and clack on the Mane Street pavement.

At Nomia Meadows Farm in Franklin Grove, John and Lisa Ayers tend to bees, apples and 110 acres of native ground, welcoming visitors into the full-circle quiet of their prairie sanctuary.

From a lazy river 5K to luaus, "Floatchella" and more, mark your calendars for these deals and special dates.

At five, it thrives: Five years after opening, Candlelight Inn's location at Lake Carroll has found its footing – built on staff, service and a tight-knit community.

Learn more about the departments bringing the most famous musicals and plays to life.

Jonathan Bilyk writes about the people he looks up to.

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County educates about bees, butterflies and more.

In Lanark, a new shop is helping residents keep their golf carts running, upgraded and road-ready – whether for the course, or for the neighborhood streets.

Backyard memories don’t just happen, they’re built over time. A Freeport business is helping families turn pools, hot tubs and more into spaces for connection, relaxation and lasting moments.

Nostalgia overload: Wind through the hills of northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin, from Scales Mound to Lead Mine, and there are scenic views and a time warp back to life – in the form of old-time stores and taverns – from many decades ago.

Teachers are asking the same questions on technology: What is changing, and how do we keep up? A Dixon educator is helping them find answers, even as the technology keeps shifting beneath him.

Find out why this beloved haven for creativity is thriving in St. Charles.

Outdoor opportunities abound in Kane County this season.

My Advisor & Planner assures you the robots aren't taking over.

Water Street Studios ceramic artist Megan Ryan creates functional beauty with her astounding work.

House of 423: a lesson in success and a whole lot of heart.

Mark your calendars for family-friendly fun in the sun.

Learn more about the festival producers creating resounding success year after year.

Sound engineers are the hidden heroes of live music and broadcast.

State Street Jewelers marks 50 years for Martha Sanchez.

A familiar Memorial Day tradition has found new life in Mount Carroll. MooFest returns with four days of music, food and games, all while supporting local nonprofits and bringing the community back together for a weekend that feels like home.

It starts with a camera and turns into something bigger for Dixon High School students who are stepping behind the scenes to produce live broadcasts. They're finding confidence, solving problems and reaching audiences far beyond their town.

By day, Ryan Jandrey works with bodies. By night, he studies faces. He's chasing through portrait art something most people miss – faces, structure, and the fine line between likeness and feeling.

Don't miss summertime festivals and outdoor music series coming up in Kane County.

Add these dates to your calendar for farm fresh and artisanal shopping near you.

Kane County Magazine interviewed Katie O'Brien to explore the success of her process and artistry.

Batavia-based musician is making waves in the community, the state and around the world.

After 11 years leading Sauk Valley Community College, David Hellmich steps away, and leaves behind a legacy shaped far beyond its Dixon campus.

Build a routine that lasts. Invest in small changes that can alter a lifetime.

Water Street Studios' Sarah Reaves plays with the micro moments.

A different kind of canvas brings artists to Kane County.

From basement walls to buildings across Illinois, a Polo artist is transforming ordinary surfaces into murals inspired by pop culture and local history.

When it comes to love, there are no barriers.

Prime Cut focuses on making unforgettable fare from scratch, featured on both regular and sushi menus.

Learn how to please everyone in one trip and plan the perfect vacation.

Byron senior Caden Considine has committed to continue his football career at the University of Illinois and the Fighting Illini after helping lead his high school Tigers to two state championships. He recently visited Shaw Local for a Q&A on his playing career.

Where therapy meets creativity to promote strength and healing.