Food, fun, music highlight the annual Wauconda Fest celebration

It's not summer in Wauconda until Wauconda Fest begins. So, good news - it starts Thursday.

The 35th annual extravaganza will be held at Cook Park, 600 N. Main St. Put on by the Wauconda Park District, it runs through Sunday night.

Live bands, a carnival, a car show, a craft show and water fights are among the highlights of this year's festival.

Thursday's events run from 5 to 10 p.m. They are:

• A wine-and-cheese tasting from 5 to 9:30 p.m.

• DJ music, from 5 to 7 p.m.

• A blues performance from Kevin Purcell and the Nightburners, at 7:30 p.m.

On Friday, activities run from 5 p.m. to midnight. Highlights include:

• Bingo, from 6 to 10 p.m.

• Music from Cavern Beat, at 7:30 p.m.

• Music from Modern Day Romeos, at 9:30 p.m.

Saturday's events run from noon to midnight. Highlights include:

• A police dog demonstration, from 1 to 2 p.m.

• Water fights, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

• A bags tournament at 4 p.m.

• Music from Hi Infidelity at 9:30 p.m.

Sunday's activities will run from noon to 9 p.m. They include:

• Foot races that start at 8:05 p.m.

• A craft show, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• A car show that opens at 11 a.m.

• A Texas Hold 'em poker tournament that starts at 4 p.m.

• Music from Johnny Russler and the Beach Bum Band, starting at 7:15 p.m.

Admission requires the purchase of a special $3 fest button that covers the entire weekend.

For more information, call the Wauconda Park District at (847) 526-3610 or visit waucondaparks.com.