Step back in time for free, family edutainment. The Farmhouse Back Porch will be rockin’ this year with a variety of events. Here’s what’s in the works for 2018:

 

May 19 & 20 Chocolate, Chronicled (Saturday 4:30 p.m./Sunday 3:30 p.m./Chocolate Fest)
Long Grove pioneers, Ma and Pa Gridley and their son George, host this historically
hysterical hodgepodge of all things chocolate.

June 1 Spoon River Anthology (Friday, 6-7 p.m./LONG GROVE CELEBRATES THE ILLINOIS BICENTENNIAL)
Actors Paddy and Jon Lynn and folk singer Patti Ecker interpret Edgar Lee Masters’ classic
portrait of life and death in a turn-of-the-century Illinois town.
Suggested for middle school age and above. PRE-SHOW BACK YARD BARBEQUE and BRIDGE ART 5-6

June 23 & 24 Strawberry Fields, Whatever (Saturday 4:30 p.m./Sunday 3:30 p.m./Strawberry Fest)
You’ll have a berry, berry good time enjoying the history and humor associated with our
beloved fruit! The Gridleys are back!

July 6 Songs of the Prairie (Friday, 6-7 p.m./ LONG GROVE CELEBRATES THE ILLINOIS BICENTENNIAL)
Singer and multi-instrumentalist Patti Ecker and Friends present an engrossing selection
traditional and popular songs reflecting chapters in Illinois history

August 3 Birth of a State (Friday, 6-7 p.m./ LONG GROVE CELEBRATES THE ILLINOIS BICENTENNIAL)
Find out what was happening in culture, politics, music, theatre, and everyday life
during Illinois’ first summer of statehood.

Aug. 18 & 19 The Gridleys Explain Everything! (Saturday 4:30 p.m./Sunday 3:00 p.m./Vintage Days)
The pioneer family– ma, pa, three daughters and three sons recount noteworthy chapters
from Long Grove’s early years, interweaving traditional folk songs into their lively stories.
(50 minutes) THE ANNUAL PENNY CARNIVAL PRECEDES SUNDAY’S SHOW

Sept. 7 Company’s Comin’ (Friday, 6-7 p.m./ LONG GROVE CELEBRATES THE ILLINOIS BICENTENNIAL)
Long Grove founding father, Chris Sauer, lost his leg in the Battle of Missionary Ridge
during the Civil War. In this recreation he is brought home by buddies from his company,
who mark his return with stories, music and song.

Sept. 22 & 23 Johnny Appleseed (Saturday 4:30 p.m./Sunday 3:30 p.m./Apple Fest)
The Long Grove Historical Society completes its summer season with this lighthearted
musical about the frontier folk hero apple farmer.

October 26 Hair-Raising Stories with Spine-Chilling Music
at the Farmhouse after dark during the annual Historical Society Ghost Walk

December 8 Yuletide Sing – Saturday, 6 p.m.
Sing songs of the season around a warming fire with live music, hot chocolate and good cheer.