Crowds expected downtown Mt. Prospect on Saturday
On Saturday, July 23, the village of Mount Prospect and the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring the 12th annual Midsummer Downtown Block Party.
The party will be at the intersection of Emerson Street and Busse Avenue in downtown Mount Prospect from 4-10:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Scheduled entertainment includes:
Ÿ 4-5 p.m. Ballet Expressions, Impulse Dance Ensemble and Prospect High School Orchesis.
Ÿ 5-6 p.m. The Dreamtree Shakers (from the Old Town School of Folk Music Wiggleworms program). The Dreamtree Shakers sing and dance, raining down harmonies and infectious melodies for all their audience to enjoy. Original songs are built around vivid images and ideas ranging from what might itty-bitty fish drink in the deep blue sea to pigs named Quigley who are trying to fly. Featuring guitar, bass, drums, saxophone, flute, vocals and more, The Dreamtree Shakers will be sure to delight crowds young and old with their mix of original tunes and fun, often unexpected folk and pop covers. Flourishes of movement and puppetry serve to make this show a visual feast as well as one to be heard.
6:15-6:45 p.m. Mount Prospect Battle of the Bands winner, “The Break.” The Break, a group of four 15 year-olds, has been playing Metro, Reggie’s Rock Club, Subterranean, Otto’s Nite Club, Pickwick Music Festival, and other famous Chicago establishments. They are now recording their second album at Flashpoint Academy.
Ÿ 7 p.m. Rod Tufcurls and the Benchpress. A self-described “party band,” Rod Tufcurls & The Bench Press will make sure you have a good time. They focus on playing songs that will make you do things like: hug; enjoy a beverage; air-guitar; air-drum-solo; high-five someone; say, “Ohhh! Awesome!”; etc. Playing everything from the Beatles and the Monkees to Springsteen to the Violent Femmes and New Order.
9 p.m. Rock Candy is “sweetness for your ears!” Playing a mix of dance, hip-hop, pop rock and ’80s, there is definitely something for everyone in this Chicago-based party band. Performing the music of Pink, the Black Eyed Peas, Cyndi Lauper, No Doubt, Kelly Clarkson and more!
Free kids’ activities will be 4-9 p.m. and include a moonwalk, climbing wall, pony rides, mini Ferris wheel, trackless train, mini-merry-go-round, micro stock car racing, face painting, stilt walkers and more!
Food vendors include: Bogie’s; Capannari Ice Cream; Culver’s; Dave & Jim’s; Junior Women’s Club; Olympus Gyros; Panda Express; Panzano’s; and Photo’s Hot Dogs. Adult beverages will be available from the Chamber of Commerce.
Parking for the event is in the East Commuter Lot (Northwest Highway) and in the village hall parking deck (Emerson Street).
For details on the fest, call (847) 392-6000 or visit www.experiencemountprospect.org.