When cold winters linger for more than half the year, we Midwesterners savor the sweetness that summer brings us. From food festivals to music events, staycations and vacations, summertime is a great time to celebrate livin’!
It’s also a great time to explore and support our local, community businesses - and wow, we have lots of those! That’s right, McHenry County’s fun-filled days are made exceptional with a variety of sweet businesses . . . like Ethereal Confections on the Woodstock Square, with their made-from-scratch food & drinks and responsibly sourced products, chocolate-making classes, and unique events. You can make your summer mornings even sweeter with a spread of delicious locally sourced preserves over your breakfast toast, made possible by owner Lisa Faber’s Sunshine Preserves. And after all those summertime activities, clean up with Silver Prairie Farms variety of soaps or Brady Love’s Dirt Tribe organic soaps.
What about summertime gifts?
Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays: Celebrate these events with local products and services - a thoughtful and unique way to make someone’s day super special!
- Create a colorful basket arrangement full of locally grown produce from sustainable farms like Nichols Farm & Orchard or Sue Rekenthaler’s Natural Farm Stand.
- Gift cards are always appreciated by friends and loved ones, especially at restaurants that use local ingredients like Duke’s Alehouse & Kitchen/Duke’s on the Water, and 1776 Restaurant, or pasture-raised meats at Terra Vitae Farms.
- Relax that stressed-out someone in your life with a rejuvenating massage at Nature’s Balance Wellness Center, a Reiki session for you or your pet at Winged Horse Healing, or local art pieces at Material Things Artisan Market.
- Book your special summer celebration at Mixin Mingle’s fun event spaces.
So many ideas - so many local businesses you can support with your summertime purchases! Looking for more of the Food Shed’s owners and supporters locally owned businesses? Look no further! Just visit the “Shop Local” page on our site. Want to be added to our list? We’d love to have you! Contact our Community Relations & Marketing Manager, Barbara, for more information.
Speaking of McHenry County’s fun-filled days and star-filled nights, McHenry County Living is a great site to see what’s new and happening in our region this summer and year-round. Now, let’s check out what fun events the Food Shed has planned for the month of July:
Upcoming Events!
Summer in the Park’s “Picnic in the Park”
Wednesday, July 18, 2018 | 7pm-9pm | Woodstock Square
You won’t want to miss the opportunity to see the Food Shed Co-op’s “Picnic in the Park” setting. The City of Woodstock asked us to be part of their contest for the best themed picnic setting. Our theme will be “The Locally-Sourced Picnic.” So, of course, we will present the perfect picnic featuring local businesses’ snack foods and drinks!
Additional activities include carnival games and an old-fashioned ice cream social. So join us, and listen to the tunes of the Woodstock City Band while partaking in picnic settings, all over the Woodstock Square.
Summer in the Park: Family Fun Day - Volunteers Needed!
Sunday, July 22, 2018 | 12pm - 5pm | Emricson Park, Woodstock
Represent the Food Shed at one of Woodstock's most popular family events in beautiful Emricson Park! We'll be hosting a game table in the children's activity tent on the last day of the festival, and will need two volunteers for each shift to lead our Ring Toss game, award prizes, and share information about our co-op with new faces. Volunteer shifts are only 2.5 hours. If you can help out, please RSVP for a shift on our Event page.
Algonquin Founders’ Days: Family Funday - Volunteers Needed!
Sunday, July 29, 2018 | 9am-2pm | Spella Park, Algonquin
Join in the fun at Algonquin’s popular summertime festival, Algonquin Founders’ Days on Family Funday! Help make the kiddos’ day memorable with fun, laughter, and games. We need volunteers to assist with the Ring Toss game and Disc Golf game, where we’ll pass out our organic lollipops to all participants and talk to parents who are interested in the Food Shed. Volunteer shifts are only 2.5 hours. If you can help out, please RSVP for a shift on our Event page.
