Lake Villa will host its 14th annual Celebration of Summer

While the calendar says it's spring, Lake Villa is set to kick off summer on Saturday, June 7.

The 14th annual Celebration of Summer will take place in Lehmann Park, 148 Cedar Ave., as an all-day event.

It features the car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., music starting at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks at dusk.

The annual event began in 2001 when Lake Villa was celebrating its centennial.

"We tried to have an event a month and this one stuck," Mayor Frank Loffredo said. "They really liked it."

Some of the events have been consolidated since then, but there will still be a car show, games, raffles, carnival rides, activities and a concert, Loffredo said.

"(The music) is our version of Ravinia," he said. "There is picnicking and some vendors and music."

The band According to Kate will play for the first time at the Celebration of Summer.

Loffredo said According to Kate will play a variety of music, including some of their own works mixed with country, songs by Queen, and tribute music to the Beatles.

"We try to look for a good sound," he said. "Everyone seems to continually be pleasantly surprised."

In addition to the main celebration on Saturday, Teen Night will take place Friday, June 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. for students of local schools.

Loffredo said it is a closed event held for local middle school students and is well-chaperoned by faculty and volunteers. Teens can expect inflatable jousting, obstacle courses, vendors and a variety of games, all for free, he said.

The general public will also have access to the same activities on Saturday for a small fee.

"It's nothing too elaborate. We have the core things that people really like," Loffredo said. "It's a real community event."

Admission on both evenings is free.

The rain date for music and fireworks is Sunday, June 8.