Glendale Heights Fest reaches out to every corner of community
Glendale Heights Fest began in 1983 as a test run for the next year's celebration of the 25th anniversary of the village's incorporation.
It started out with a five-ride carnival, a car show and fireworks, all on a pretty small scale.
“It was such a big success, and every year it gets bigger and better,” said Marge Linnane, a member of the Founder's Day committee that organizes the festival.
She said the festival has drawn roughly 100,000 people over its five days in the past.
This year, Glendale Heights Fest will be from 6 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, July 11 and 12; 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 13; 3 p.m. to midnight Saturday, July 14; and noon to 11 p.m. Sunday, July 15, at Camera Park near Bloomingdale Road and Fullerton Avenue.
The festival offers a mix of rides, food and entertainment over its five days, including some new additions.
One of those additions is Resident Appreciation Day, when residents can buy unlimited-ride carnival wristbands for a discounted price of $15. Wristbands can be bought for Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at ticket booths for $22, or for a pre-sale price of $18 at the village hall, the senior center and the recreation department registration counters.
“We thought it'd be a great way to let residents really enjoy the carnival,” Linnane said.
New to the fest this year is International Day, where residents are encouraged to celebrate different heritages and enjoy cultural entertainment at noon Sunday. Though the event is in its 11th year, it was previously held separately in August.
The village decided to open the festival earlier this year to incorporate International Day. Residents often bring cultural food, wear native dress, perform cultural dances and participate in the cultural fashion show.
“There's a lot of different ethnic groups in Glendale Heights and we're very proud of our diversity,” Linnane said.
Festival-goers also can hear a couple of bands each day of the festival, including Peach's Beach Party, Back Country Roads, How About No, the Blooze Brothers, Green Thirteen, Infinity and 7th Heaven.
“Some of our entertainment are bands we've had in the past that are always big hits,” Linnane said. “We really just tried to get a nice variety that appeals to the people of Glendale Heights.”
The Glendale Heights Idol competition, now in its third year, will be open to individuals, duos or groups of all ages. Attendees can watch contestants perform their three-minute acts at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Judges will pick the top two performers, who will receive prizes.
“People are invited to perform just like they do on ‘American Idol.' It's been very successful,” Linnane said. “We thought it'd be a great way for the people in the community to show their talents.”
From 6 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, attendees can ride a mechanical bull for a worthy cause as part of Country Night. Volunteers from the Family in Faith Christian Church's food pantry will run the mechanical bull ticket booth, and all proceeds will go toward a fund to construct a permanent building for the pantry.
The church has provided more than 800,000 pounds of food to needy families in the Glendale Heights area for the past eight years.
“We saw there was a lot of interest in country music and we thought Ride the Bull was something good to go along with Country Night,” Linnane said.
The festivities will culminate Sunday with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. In addition, a mini fireworks display is set for 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Linnane said the fireworks help to distinguish Glendale Heights Fest from other area festivals and are truly unique.
“We have an absolutely fabulous fireworks display,” she said. “When people come to the mini one, they can't believe we call it a mini display.”
If nothing else, the festival provides the opportunity for families to simply come out, enjoy a picnic and listen to the musical performances at no charge, Linnane said.
“It's really a great place for a family,” she said. “There's something for everyone.”