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Railroad Days the perfect outing for families on a budget

West Chicago’s Railroad Days began as a way to celebrate the role railroads played in the formation and development of the community.

But now in its 38th year, the festival long ago stopped being about railroads.

“All the local communities have a festival, and they do that as a way to bring people together,” said David Sabathne, CEO of the Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce. “You no more have to like railroads to come to Railroad Days than you have to be Swedish to go to Swedish Days.”

The free festival runs 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 12; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 13; noon to midnight Saturday, July 14; and 3 to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 15, at Reed-Keppler Park on National and Arbor streets.

Residents can get their cards read by comedic magician Dewayne Hill, look at classic cars on Sunday, watch the Rockford Peaches play a baseball game in their 1940s gear at 7 p.m. Thursday, enjoy a fireworks display Saturday, sample food from local vendors and ride the carnival attractions each day.

Carnival wristbands are $22 Thursday and Saturday; $20 on Sunday.

A parade, stepping off at 1 p.m. Sunday, carries the theme “Pearls of Our Community,” encouraging participants to show gratitude to the people who make the community a place worth living in, Sabathne said.

“It really kind of highlights those groups and individuals,” he said. “We wanted to highlight these treasures of the community.”

The Fine Arts Fiesta will feature the work of local artists, which will be voted on by residents for awards.

“Local artists are able to show their artwork in a number of different categories,” Sabathne said.

Local and national bands will take the stage in the Beer Garden area throughout the four-day festival, including the Beatles cover band Cavern Beat and Blue Moon Swamp on Friday, and country singer Katie Quick, Kevin Chalfant’s Journey Experience and Heartsfield all on Saturday.

Every band that performs is auditioned, Sabathne said. Roughly 20 bands audition and a dozen are hired.

“We get contacted from bands because they know this is such a well-attended event,” Sabathne said. “We want to know that they’re going to deliver quality music, quality entertainment that’s appropriate for the masses.”

The event is expected to draw roughly 40,000 people over the four days, Sabathne said, and has included people from three different countries and 13 states in the past.

Sabathne said Railroad Days provides not only an opportunity for residents to relax and enjoy their community, but also the chance to share it with others.

“They act as stewards for our community as well,” he said. “That gives them the opportunity to not only participate in it but to take pride.”

But the truly unique part of Railroad Days, Sabathne says, is that it has no admission fee and the concerts are free. These are hard days economically, he said, and the festival provides an outing for families who are on a budget.

“It’s easily accessible. It’s just going to be a fun environment,” Sabathne said. “It’s really designed for families. You can have a whole day with the family and spend nothing if you want.”

Comedic magician Dewayne Hill will be just one of the many attractions at Railroad Days. Other activities include the Fine Arts Fiesta, a baseball game by the Rockford Peaches, a parade, carnival rides and the chance to sample food from local vendors. Daily Herald File Photo
A parade will take place Sunday, July 15, with the theme “Pearls of Our Community.” The idea is to highlight people who make the community a place worth living in. Daily Herald File Photo
A carnival will be open all four days of the festival, with wristband specials Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Daily Herald File Photo
Perry Jordan and his band Heartsfield will perform Saturday at West Chicago Railroad Days. Roughly 20 bands audition for a spot in the lineup and about a dozen are hired. Daily Herald File Photo

If you go

If you go

What: Railroad Days

When: 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 12; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 13; noon to midnight Saturday, July 14; 3 to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 15

Where: Reed-Keppler Park, National and Arbor streets, West Chicago

Cost: Free

Info: (630) 231-3003 or westerndupagechamber.com

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