Richardson Corn Maze pays tribute to Back to the Future
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| Richardson Adventure Park’s legendary corn maze is offering you a chance to go back in time, without the need for a DeLorean and 1.21 gigawatts of power.
The design for this year’s maze, said to be the world’s largest, pays homage to the 40th anniversary of the release of Back to the Future – after weeks of teasing the design, they revealed it July 9.
The 28-acre maze features Marty McFly and Doc Brown, the iconic DeLorean, the Hill Valley Clock Tower (complete with the 10:04 p.m. time the lightning struck), and more.
Stay tuned for updates – we’ll let you know when the maze opens and when tickets go on sale. In the meantime, if you’re not familiar with all the adventures the farm has to offer, check out its website at www.richardsonadventurefarm.com – we seriously could fill an entire issue of McH Thrive if we tried to list them all.
We’ll leave you with a fun fact – okay, not a fun fact, because it’ll make you feel old if you saw this movie in the theater. While Back to the Future is 40 years old, Marty’s trip to 1955 was 30 years into the past. |
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McHenry County to host 2026 travel conference
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| The 2026 Midwest Travel Network Conference is coming to McHenry County!
The organization – created to provide opportunities for travel writers, tourism professionals and tourism content creators and innovators to connect with awesome destinations – will converge on McHenry County from June 11 to 13 of next year.
“McHenry County perfectly captures the spirit of the Midwest,” the network said in its announcement. “From charming small towns and historic gems to lively downtowns full of locally owned shops, restaurants, and craft beverage spots, there’s something for everyone. Agritourism also shines here, with farms, orchards, and markets offering hands-on, immersive experiences. It’s a storyteller’s dream destination — authentic, inspiring, and full of content opportunities.”
You can visit the network’s site to learn more and to either register or become a sponsor. Talk about a great way to get your business known to travel writers from across the Midwest! |
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Applications being accepted for next ETA entrepreneur class
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| Are you preparing to step into a leadership role, take over a family business, or make your first business acquisition? If so, the McHenry County Economic Development Corp. and the Illinois Small Business Development Center are offering the perfect workshop for you.
The Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition program is designed specifically for individuals like you, those ready to lead but unsure where to begin. This eight-week workshop covers everything from identifying the right business to buy, to negotiating, financing, and leading it successfully after the deal closes.
The workshop will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday from Aug. 6 to Sept. 24 at the MCC Catalyst Campus, 222 E. Church St., Woodstock. The program fee is $1,899, but you may apply for a scholarship of up to $1,710, which brings your cost down to just $189!
No prior business ownership experience is required – enroll today! |
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R1 Planning Council brings draft plan to McHenry County for feedback
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| Thank you to the Region 1 Planning Council for coming out July 15 to Woodstock Opera House to gather public feedback on the updated Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy! McHenry County came out to make sure our voices and ideas were heard.
Having a CEDS plan is important to McHenry County securing federal economic aid grants. The plan aligns the interests of public- and private-sector, nonprofit and community partners into a plan for regional development for McHenry, Boone and Winnebago counties.
If you couldn’t make it, you can check the draft plan out online. Also, there’s another open house from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the R1 Planning Council offices at 127 N. Wyman St., Rockford, and a third from 4 to 6 p.m. July 29 at the Boone County Administration Building, 1212 Logan Ave., Suite 102, Belvidere. |
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Don’t miss your summer sunflower fix!
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| Summertime in McHenry County is sunflower time! Whether you want to pick them, navigate sunflower mazes, or get that Instagram sunflower selfie, McHenry County is the place to be.
McHenry County is home to four sunflower gardens open to the public – and as usual, our friends at Naturally McHenry County have a list ready for you – check it out and explore!
Be sure to visit their websites and social media accounts before heading out – conditions change with the weather, and some farms require purchasing tickets in advance. |
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Sips in Paradise Wine Walk returns to downtown Algonquin
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| Another McHenry County event returns for a second year after a great takeoff!
The 2nd annual Summer Wine Walk, hosted by the Downtown Algonquin Association, takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. this Saturday! This year, they’re bringing the island vibes to town with a Jimmy Buffet theme, if the drinking parrot on the beach and the flip-flops didn’t give it away.
Enjoy a variety of hand-selected wines at multiple downtown stops, stroll through downtown while sipping and soaking in the tropical fun, and enjoy the fun at an after-party!
Tickets are $50, and they’re still available! |
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| What is McH Thrive?
McH Thrive is a collaborative initiative being implemented by McHenry County and the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) in partnership with the McHenry County community, including cities and villages, businesses and residents. |
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