Musical acts power Vernon Hills’ Summer Celebration

Vernon Hills’ Summer Celebration started as a neighborhood festival more than two decades ago, but in ensuing years has grown to become the second most attended event of the Lake County festival season behind the Lake County Fair.

“Twenty-five years ago, it was a pretty modest affair,” said Village Manager Mike Allison. “Now, it obviously is a heckuva a lot larger.”

And since Marie Osmond, the Guess Who and Paul Revere & the Raiders headlined in 1992, the annual event, which runs July 19-22 in Century Park, has become known for its rock solid lineup of musical acts.

This year is no exception with Dave Mason, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and founding member of Traffic, taking the main stage Saturday night. Mason’s work through the years with notables such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones and George Harrison, among others, speaks for itself.

“It’s a high-energy show, very good guitars, overall just a great rock band,” Allison said.

Sharing the ticket on Saturday is the ’70s country rockers Heartsfield and local sensation Jamie Lono, who made his mark on “The Voice.”

While pared in recent years to levels of about a decade ago, the entertainment budget at about $50,000 remains substantial. Tropixplosion, The Freddy Jones Band, Mike & Joe and Mr. Slate round out the lineup for the four-day event.

While there are no major changes, there are some tweaks to the usual beefy card of live music, food, a carnival and a variety of related activities.

New this year is a trio of guest appearances and signings on Saturday beginning with Lono at 5 p.m., followed at 6 p.m. by future baseball Hall of Famer and White Sox star Frank Thomas, who will be signing cans of his “Big Hurt Beer.” Thomas won’t be signing baseball memorabilia.

On Sunday, former Bears great and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Dan Hampton will be the celebrity guest.

In another tradition, opening night Thursday will be marked by a fireworks show. But this one is expected to have more firepower to make up for a mishap that cut the village’s Fourth of July show short.

Visit vernonhills.org/specialevents for a daily schedule.

If you go

ŸWhen: July 19-22

ŸWhere: Century Park, 1001 Lakeview Parkway, north of Route 60

Ÿ Info: (847) 367-7000 or vernonhills.org/special events