Mechanical bull a new draw at BeachFest

A mechanical bull is at BeachFest in Round Lake Beach for the first time, according to Kevin Wallace, festival chairman.

Jason Hanenberger of Round Lake rode the mechanical bull for over a minute before losing his grip and being thrown off the bull by Rick Kirkland, the ride operator, who controls the variable speed of the bucking and spinning motion.

"Once the spinning starts, it's hard to keep focus. When the bull went to the side, I overcorrected," said Hanenberger, who was riding one for the first time at the second day of the festival on Saturday at the Cultural & Civic Center.

The mechanical bull is made from parts of a real bull that was slaughtered, including the head, tail, and hide, according to Kirkland, "I make sure everyone has a good, safe ride - including the little kids," he said.

Elsewhere at the festival, Fernanda Sotelo, 5, and her cousin Julian Celis, 9, both of Round Lake Beach were enjoying having their faces painted by Abundant Life Church volunteers before eating grilled corn for lunch.

The band "Almost Joe" out of Waukegan packed the cultural stage and the seats as they performed a fusion of rock, blues, jazz and Latin music in the afternoon.

Sunday will feature a variety of ethnic music, a children's entertainment stage, a full carnival, an exotic petting zoo, a crafters market and a Lowrider show for auto enthusiasts. Ethnic and festival foods and beverages will be available for purchase.

For band and event details, along with BeachFest hours, visit BeachFest on Facebook or www.villageofroundlakebeach.org, or call (847) 201-9032.