First TexMex and Music Fest benefits DuPage PADS
Carol Simler wants people to know that homelessness is only a time in their lives — not a permanent situation.
The executive director of DuPage PADS has worked with homeless individuals and families since 1985 to show them just that.
The organization provides overnight housing 365 nights a year and permanent supportive housing. Individuals can make use of educational and employment assistance, links to mainstream benefits, health care and individual case management. PADS also is working on expanding its recuperation respite program, which gives the sick a place to go after leaving the hospital, and a re-entry program for nonviolent people leaving prison.
These efforts will be supported by funding from the first TexMex and Music Fest, which takes place at CityGate Centre in Naperville from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 13, and 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 14.
“We’re thrilled that we were chosen,” as a beneficiary of the fest, Simler said. “People are looking to DuPage PADS as a way to end a very morally wrong situation.”
General admission tickets can be purchased online at texmexfest.com for $30 Friday and $20 Saturday, or at the gate for $10 more. Tickets for children 6 to 15 are $5 each day, and admission is free for younger children.
Festival organizer Scott Janess said that after the Naperville Wine Festival moved to CityGate Centre in 2011, organizers were impressed with the turnout and decided to put on another event in the space.
“We really like producing events in Naperville,” Janess said. “It’s the perfect demographic. We put together this festival to stay for a long time.”
And festival organizers decided to put a different spin on this event: Tex-Mex.
“We’re big fans of country music and Tex-Mex food, so we decided to do something along those lines,” Janess said. “That food is very hot right now. You see all these restaurants popping up and getting great reviews.”
Participating restaurants include Bullhead Cantina, CityGate Grille, Chicks ’n’ Salsa Mexican Grill, Esteban’s, Mango, Sugar Toad, Sullivan’s Steakhouse and Fire It Up, a taco catering truck.
“It’s a great eclectic mix of food that we’ll have out there,” Janess said.
Rick VanBuren started Fire It Up a year ago on the Fourth of July after working in the restaurant business for roughly 20 years. It was time to do his own thing, he said.
“We started with the truck,” VanBuren said. “It was an easier way to get out to people and test the food. We can bring the restaurant right to their front door.”
The truck sells gourmet tacos made with organic ingredients, locally sourced foods and homemade sauces.
“A lot of people associate organic food with having to spend the extra dollars, and we’re trying to take that out of it,” VanBuren said.
Though he is hoping to have a permanent establishment in the future, for now VanBuren’s taco truck travels to area festivals like TexMex and Music Fest.
“I thought it was a great fit for us,” he said of the festival. “It’s definitely something unique and focused.”
Foodies also will revel in the chance to meet Frontera Grill’s chef Rick Bayless on Friday. Bayless is a three-time recipient of James Beard Foundation Awards and host of WTTW’s “Mexico — One Plate at a Time,” and specializes in modern interpretations of traditional Mexican cuisine.
“I think that people have a great interest in what he’s up to,” Janess said.
Musical performances will include Carlos Ortega and Chris Isaak on Friday; and the Country Sky Band, Asleep at the Wheel and Poi Dog Pondering on Saturday.
“Something very unique about Poi Dog is they’re going to have a 16-piece ensemble, which they haven’t done in a decade,” Janess said.
Relatively unique to the festival is the limit of 7,500 people per day. Janess said he hopes that will translate into short lines and great seating.
A “Kidz Korral” will feature three hours of programming each day, including circus performers, face painting and caricaturists.
“It’s a nice alternative to bring the family down to,” Janess said.”I think it’s very unique to the Midwest. You want to program something that’s fun, that’s rewarding for people.”
But festival organizers haven’t forgotten the difference the festival will make to DuPage PADS.
“We’re creating more awareness for their cause,” Janess said. “I truly believe in what their mission is.”
Simler said the money raised will help her organization provide basic needs assistance and supportive services. Without DuPage PADS, she says, there would be no overnight refuge for many people who have lost their homes.
“Some people say to me, ‘Oh, people want to be homeless,’ but I don’t believe that,” she said. “I think they haven’t received the support they need.”
If you go
What: TexMex and Music Fest
Why: Proceeds support DuPage PADS’ programs to help the homeless
When: 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 13; 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 14
Where: Naperville’s CityGate Centre, Route 59 and Ferry Road, Naperville
Cost: General admission $30 Friday and $20 Saturday online, $40 and $30 at gate; $5 for ages 6 to 15; free for younger children
Info: texmexfest.com