Waterfights, raffles, rides ahead for Lake Villa Days

The Lake Villa Volunteer Fire Department will be sponsoring the 79th annual Lake Villa Days Aug. 2-5 at Lehmann Park, 89 Cedar Ave.

Festivities will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday. Events this year include carnival rides, bingo, raffles, games and waterfights in these categories: firemen, local businessmen and women.

Entertainment on the music stage includes Bella Cain Friday night and Modern Day Romeos Saturday night.

The Lake County firemen’s waterfights will be held Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Registration starts at 5 p.m. The local businessmen and women’s fights will be Sunday. The men’s fights will begin at noon, with registration begins at 11 a.m. The women’s fights will follow.

Raffle tickets can be purchased for $5 each or $20 for a pack of five; winner need not be present. They may be purchased at the fire station, 68 E. Grand Ave. Twelve cash prizes will be given out, with two top prizes of $500 to be awarded Sunday night.

Proceeds from the event go toward firefighting equipment and facility updates.

Since May 1 of last year, the department has assumed the responsibility of emergency medical services for all residents of Lake Villa, Lindenhurst and Lake Villa Township. Captain Brock Millsop said although this was a large undertaking, it has resulted in a significant savings to the taxpayers.

The department, along with the fire protection district, is in the planning stages for a new public safety building on Route 59, next to the Lake Villa Township West Campus, with construction starting this fall.