Prospect Heights holds shortened summer festival Saturday

For the last 33 years, the Prospect Heights Summer Block Party has been a three-day-long affair. This year, the festival has been shortened because of economic pressures, but it still retains its many activity and entertainment options.

The Prospect Heights Park District hosts the village’s Summer Block Party from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, June 23, on Elm Street at Camp McDonald Road.

According to Kathy Nowicki, executive director of the Prospect Heights Park District, visitors can expect entertainment, food, a beer garden, free pool admission, a silent auction and performances by bands Hip Pockit from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Libido Funk Circus from 9 to 10:30 p.m. This year, the city also hosts a rubber duck race organized by the local Lions Club and a singing competition.

The rubber duck race takes place at the Prospect Heights Park District pool. Participants buy tickets — $5 a duck — and the ticket holder for the duck that wins the race receives $500.

The singing competition at the Prospect Heights Summer Block Party at 5 p.m., called the “Prospect Heights Voice,” pits four finalists — Ashley Bolt, Coleen Bunt, Laura Kuper and Kelsey Martin — against each other.

The finalists were decided at an audition earlier in June. The winner, decided by a panel of volunteer judges, will receive a first place trophy and a cash prize.