Shade, sangria keep things cool at Wauconda Fest

With the temperature and humidity still climbing at the start of the third day of Wauconda Fest, many took shelter in the food, bingo, or wine-tasting tents.

Kelly Englum of Elgin and her husband, John, enjoyed the carnival and main stage from the shade of the Bliss Wine and Gifts of Wauconda wine tasting tent while having a glass of sangria and a Phat Chance blonde ale at the third day of Wauconda Fest on Saturday.

Kelly, after trading for a taste of her husband's ale, said, "I like the sangria; it's the wine you can drink in hot weather."

Bliss will sell 25 kegs of beer and 15.5 gallons of bottled wine, and three kegs of sangria according to owner Maria Weisbruch.

"This will be the biggest year yet, and all profits go to the park district," said Weisbruch, whose favorite festival wine is heavyweight cabernet.

The wine tent has a cold beer truck for the first time. "Last year we used over 50, 22-pound bags of ice; so far this year only eight," Weisbruch said.

Bulldogs Grill in Wauconda will sell more than 1,500 hamburgers and hot dogs during the four-day festival, according to owner Aaron Aggarwal. He was one of about 10 vendors in the food tent, which provided shade for more than 100 people attending the police dog demonstration. The Wauconda department's award-winning dog, Maxx, who will retire this year after nearly a decade of service, received a standing ovation.

The festival continues Sunday with a 5K/10K Challenge, Wauconda Has Talent contest, car show, and Johnny Russler and the Beach Bum Band performing Caribbean rock music at 7:15 p.m. Admission is $3. For information, visit waucondaparks.com.