Mt. Prospect Lions Fest has something for everyone
The 74th annual Mount Prospect Lions Village Fair begins today, and organizers say they hope the fest will offer something for everybody.
Do you like live rock 'n' roll? Carnival rides? Sampling the best food in the area? The festival has all that and more.
“We really try to keep the entire community in mind when we plan this,” said Barb Laz, president of the Lions Club. “We took time to get a mix of music styles with our bands, for example. And we're bringing back Family Day, which has been really popular in the past.”
The festival runs through Sunday, July 8, at Melas Park, at Busse and Central roads. As in past years, the event will feature not one, but two full fireworks displays. The first is scheduled for July 4, and the second will close out the event on July 8.
Live entertainment includes The Fairlines, a popular band that specializes in rock from the 1960s through the 1980s; Latin Inspirations, a salsa and jazz band; and Dot Dot Dot, a suburban-based dance-pop band that gets rave reviews for its high-energy shows.
Early weather forecasts predict that temperatures will be high throughout with little threat of rain.
“I can take the heat, it's the rain I'm really praying we can avoid,” Laz said.
Admission to the festival is free, but there is a charge for the carnival rides and food/drinks. Proceeds go right back to Lions Club programs, which include ear and vision screenings for the community.
For a full schedule and other information, visit mtprospectlions.com.
Festival schedule
TUESDAY, JULY 3
6 to 11 p.m. Unlimited Rides Special
6 to 11 p.m. Food Tent, Beer & Wine Tent
6 to 6:15 p.m. Opening Ceremonies
6:15 to 8 p.m. One Way Street (Classic Rock)
8:30 to 11 p.m. Exit 147 (Classic Pop/Rock)
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4
7 to 11 a.m. Annual Pancake Breakfast & Bake Sale (Adults $5, Children 6-12 $3, Under 5 free)
9 a.m. 5K Run at Melas Park
1 p.m. 4th of July Parade
1 to 5 p.m. Unlimited Rides Special
1 to 11 p.m. Food Tent, Beer & Wine Tent
6:15 to 8 p.m. Platinum (Classic/Dance Rock)
8:30 to 11 p.m. Fairlanes (‘60s to ‘80s Rock ‘n' Roll)
9:30 p.m. Fireworks
THURSDAY, JULY 5
6 to 11 p.m. Unlimited Rides Special
6 to 11 p.m. Food Tent, Beer & Wine Tent
6: 15 to 8 p.m. Free Beer Band (Classic Rock)
8:15 to 11 p.m. Heartache Tonight (Eagles Tribute Band)
FRIDAY, JULY 6
6 to 11 p.m. Food Tent, Beer & Wine Tent
6:15 to 8 p.m. Walt Fitz (Pop Rock)
8:30 to 11 p.m. DotDotDot (Pop Rock)
SATURDAY, JULY 7
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Car Show.
1 to 5 p.m. Unlimited Rides Special
1 to 5 p.m. Family Day
1 to 11 p.m. Food Tent, Beer & Wine Tent
1 to 2 p.m. Undesired Operation (Contemporary Pop)
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Serendipity (Teen Pop)
6:15 to 8 p.m. Brace for Impact (Classic Hard Rock)
8:30 to 11 p.m. Jak Tripper (Classic Hard Rock)
SUNDAY, JULY 8
1 to 5 p.m. Unlimited Rides Special
1 to 11 p.m. Food Tent, Beer & Wine Tent
6:15 to 8 p.m. Latin Inspirations (Latin, Salsa, & Jazz)
8:30 to 8:45 p.m. Raffle Drawing
8:30 to 11 p.m. Not-for-Profit (Classic Pop/Rock/Dance)
9:30 p.m. Fireworks