Bartlett Heritage Days celebrates town's past
“Bartlett station, on the Chicago & Pacific Railroad, six miles east of Elgin, is by far the most enterprising place on the first division of the road, and is destined to become a town of no little note in the future. ... Two years and a half ago there was no such town as Bartlett. ... But with the advent of the iron horse, it became necessary to have a station, and when a station was decided upon, the town followed as a matter of course, and to-day we see a thriving village which has sprung up as if by magic, but with all the evidence of being substantial and prosperous.” — The Elgin Advocate, Jan. 1, 1876
That snippet from a local newspaper of the day describes the beginnings of Bartlett.
Bartlett Heritage Days, Sept. 9-11, is the second annual communitywide fall festival in downtown Bartlett, designed to honor and celebrate the area's rich history. Events will take visitors back to the “good old days” when Bartlett was a farm community in the late 1800s through the present day in the village where more than 40,000 now call home.
A total of 23 historic and contemporary events are being staged by community groups and the new nonprofit corporation that has been formed to produce the festival. Twenty-eight sponsors are supporting the weekend's events, with the village of Bartlett and Forever After Antiques/Collectibles as premier sponsors.
More information and updated schedules are at www.bartlettheritagedays.com and www.artsinbartlett.org.
Heritage fest schedule
Parking is free in all the Metra lots and spaces on Saturday and Sunday only. Parking is available in two village lots at village hall and at Oneida and Oak streets. Please note hourly limits on the street parking.
FRIDAY
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. “These Walls Can Talk,” photo exhibit of historic homes in Bartlett by Bartlett Historic Society and Arts in Bartlett. 2nd floor gallery, village hall.
5-8 p.m. Wine tasting, Town Center.
7-10:30 p.m. Fashion show and dance, Banbury Fair Stage.
SATURDAY
Food Court in municipal lot.
9 a.m.-noon “These Walls Can Talk” photo exhibit of historic homes in Bartlett by Bartlett Historic Society and Arts in Bartlett. 2nd floor gallery, village hall.
9-4 p.m. Flea/Craft Market, Bartlett Avenue.
9-5 p.m. DuPage Valley Settlers re-enacting life in the 1830s DuPage County, at Derango Family Dental.
9:30 a.m. Old-fashioned parade from Bartlett Plaza to Bartlett Park. All residents, businesses, and civic groups are invited to decorate bikes, wagons, strollers and/or walk in the parade. No cars or mechanized vehicles. Line up at 8:45 a.m., Bartlett Plaza.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Arts Festival live music and entertainment, Banbury Fair Stage.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. “Step Back in Time: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of the Heart of Old Bartlett” and “All Aboard for Heritage” — celebration of the depot's 1st anniversary, at Bartlett Depot Museum.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Children's art activities, World Tent with drumming circles and henna artist and children's activities. AT&T Park.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Information tent, Town Center
10 a.m.-5 p.m. 9th Annual Arts in Bartlett Arts Festival, Town Center
10 a.m.-7 p.m. Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament, in Bartlett Plaza, former Ace Hardware bldg.
10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Pet contest and bake sale, Bartlett Park.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Bags tournament preliminaries, at Papa Pacinos/Lucky Jacks. Proceeds go to Veterans Memorial.
Noon-2 p.m. Play in the Park: Children's old-fashioned games with Bartlett Park District, Bartlett Park.
Noon-4 p.m. Children's Prize Wheel, Bartlett Park.
Noon-4 p.m. Business in the Park by Bartlett Chamber of Commerce, Bartlett Park.
1 p.m. Vintage baseball game: Vintage Rockford Forest City Base Ball Club vs. the 1909 Bartlett Cubs. Original Rockford Peaches portrayed in the movie, “A League of Their Own” will sign autographs. Food and concessions available, Leiseberg Park.
1-1:45 p.m. Children's songs by Steve Beno, Bartlett Park
1-7 p.m. Bingo, in the Bartlett Fire Barn.
2:30 p.m. 2nd vintage baseball game; the Vintage Rockford Forest City Base Ball Club vs. the 1909 Bartlett Cubs. Played using 1850s rules. Leiseberg Park.
3-8 p.m. Wine tasting, Town Center
6-11 p.m. Modern Day Romeos in outdoor concert, at Bannerman's Sports Grill
11 p.m.-1 a.m. Indoor bands, at Bannerman's Sports Grill
SUNDAY
Food Court in municipal lot.
9 a.m. -4 p.m. Flea/Craft Market, on Bartlett Avenue.
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Classic Car Show, corner of Bartlett & Western
10 a.m. -5 p.m. Arts Festival live music and entertainment, Banbury Fair Stage.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Information tent, Town Center.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Ninth annual Arts in Bartlett Arts Festival, Town Center.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Children's art activities, World Tent with drumming circles and henna artist and children's activities. AT&T Park
10 a.m.-7 p.m. Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament. in Bartlett Plaza, former Ace Hardware bldg.
1-7 p.m. Bingo, in the Bartlett Fire Barn.
1:30 p.m. 9/11 Tribute on the 10th Anniversary, presented by the American Legion, Bartlett Police Department, Bartlett Fire Protection District, Bartlett VFW, Hanover Township Emergency Services and village of Bartlett. At village hall.
2 p.m. Civil War drama by Bartlett Historical Society, Banbury Fair Stage.
2-3 p.m. Bags tournament finals, at Papa Pacinos/Lucky Jacks. Proceeds to go to Veterans Memorial.
3-5 p.m. Wine tasting, Town Center