Sunny skies makes for perfect finish to Lake in the Hills fest
The 11th annual Summer Sunset Festival in Lake in the Hills drew big crowds this weekend — and even some hard core fans with umbrellas and raincoats braved Saturday’s rain. Sunday’s practically perfect weather gave no excuses for missing the end of the three-day festival.
Sydney Black, 9, of Lake in the Hills, spent most of the day Sunday with her 7-year-old sister, Samantha, riding and re-riding some of the best attractions. The girls went on almost all of them, though they said they skipped the long line of the Ferris wheel.
“We thought it was amazing and fun,” Sydney Black said on her way out. “It’s a very good festival.”
As the girls were leaving, Mike Russell and his 9-year-old son, Keegan, were just setting up their blanket and chairs for the evening music. The family lives in Lake in the Hills and has made a tradition out of the Summer Sunset Festival since it started.
Russell said he prefers July’s Rockin’ Ribfest with the big name bands but looks forward to the local headliners during Summer Sunset as well.
“For us it’s within walking distance,” Russell said. “It’s great.”
Besides the carnival rides, about 40 businesses packed Sunset Park Sunday for the business expo. Kryss Marrone, co-owner of Holistic Touch Bodyworks in Algonquin, took the opportunity to market her fledgling business from noon to 5 p.m.
Holistic Touch Bodyworks opened in February and Marrone spent Sunday’s business expo giving neck, back and arm massages from the festival grounds. Marrone said she won’t know whether the expo helped until she sees how many people follow up with appointments but plans to reserve tent space next year too.
The free festival also included standard carnival fare, a talent show, a baggo tournament and fireworks Sunday.
Diane Murphy, a member of the volunteer organizing committee, said the event draws lots of local families and brings the community together — exactly what it was intended to do when the original organizers started it 11 years ago.