McHenry Fiesta Days is 11 days of fun!

Hosted by McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce, this festival is full of good food, family fun, live music and entertainment.

The first week (at Petersen Park) starts with our annual Cask and Barrel Night on Thursday, followed by Music Fest weekend! Sunday is a free admission day, which includes the Car Show, Beach Bash, Big Wheel Race and Firework! The carnival runs the weekend of July 12-14 2024. The second week of events are in Veterans Memorial Park and downtown McHenry. They include the Concert in the Park, Art and Street Fair, Art in the Park and the Parade.

Lake Geneva WI is just 20 miles North of us.

Maybe it’s the way the sunlight shimmers on the lake or the way the sunset casts its warm glow. Maybe it’s the bird-like sensation of soaring through the air on a zipline or in a hot air balloon. Or laughing with friends after a fun-filled day on the trails. Or perhaps it’s a well-deserved afternoon of posh pampering at one of our acclaimed spas, followed by a stroll on the shore path. You might reminisce of the time spent exploring the area’s distinctive shops and sampling our award-winning restaurants. Whatever your choices, Lake Geneva promises experiences worth coming back for time and time again. Like generations before us knew… it’s always been the place.

Located in the heart of Illinois' largest concentration of natural lakes, Chain O' Lakes State Park is a water-oriented recreation area with outstanding opportunities for boaters, anglers and skiers.

The park borders three natural lakes - Grass, Marie and Nippersink - and the Fox River that connects the other seven lakes (Bluff, Fox, Pistakee, Channel, Petite, Catherine and Redhead) that make up the Chain. In addition, the park contains a 44-acre lake within its boundaries, Turner Lake. With nearly 6,500 acres of water and 488 miles of shoreline, Chain O' Lakes State Park is the heart of a water wonderland.

Chain O' Lakes State Park, located in northeast Illinois in both McHenry and Lake counties, became a state park in 1945 when the State of Illinois made an initial purchase of 840 acres. In the 1930s, a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp became the Chain O' Lakes Conservation Area, and was incorporated into the state park in 1957.

The park features seven picnic areas and four trail systems. The Nature's Way hiking trail starts at Oak Grove Picnic Area and is 2 1/4 miles in length. The Pike Marsh North Picnic Area has an accessible trail that a quarter-mile long. The park also contains 8 miles of equestrian trail and a 6 miles biking/hiking trail.

Camping is popular at Chain O' Lakes, with more than 230 campsites and a youth group camp. Camping reservations are accepted at ExploreMoreIL™ or by calling 866-716-6550. Youth groups sites must be booked through the park office, please call 847-587-5512.

Fishing is popular in the Chain O 'Lakes, featuring bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, muskie, northern pike, bullhead, catfish and yellow and white bass -​ as are seasonal hunting programs for dove, waterfowl, archery deer and permit pheasant hunting.

Dove, waterfowl, archery deer and permit pheasant hunting are available at the park. Hunting fact sheets, containing all hunting regulations, are available at the park office. All hunting is by registration only.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Park Hours

Summer hours 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Winter hours 8:00 a.m. to Sunset.

Summer hours take effect April 1st and terminate the last weekend in October when hunting begins and the entire park is closed for hunting. Hunting is by registration only.

Entrance gates will be locked from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am during summer hours and sunset to 8 am during winter hours. Tire shredder is activated. Campers may leave at any time, but re-entry to park will not be possible.

A Victorian town square, complete with bandstand and gazebo, is the setting for many unique shops, eateries, antiques stores and art galleries.

The square is home to many events both in and around the square as well as the Opera House and was the film site for the hit movie Groundhog Day.

A nostalgic small-town feel you can’t help but fall in love with. Rich with arts and culture, annual festivals and celebrations, shopping and dining, music and nightlife. A picturesque and historic town square and a world-renowned Opera House draw visitors from near and far. Abundant outdoor space, diverse housing, excellent schools with dual language programs, and convenient access to Chicago and Milwaukee makes living here desirable at any age. Woodstock also has an independent streak brimming with creativity and entrepreneurism attracting a strong artist, small business and manufacturing community. We honor our history and are confident in our future. Our residents are proud to call Woodstock home and happy to welcome you.

From a couple of local business owners dreaming in a downtown diner of a new vision for McHenry – one that capitalized on our greatest asset, the Fox River, “Gateway to the Chain-o-Lakes” – came the beautiful reality that is Phase I of The McHenry Riverwalk. From their doodlings on a cocktail napkin came a design plan from one of the Midwest’s premier design firms.