Mt. Prospect opens Lions Village Festival at Melas Park

Posted June 29, 2014 11:00 pm

Daily Herald report

People mill about the Midway on opening day of the 2013 Lions Club festival at Melas Park. JOE LEWNARD/DAILY HERALD 2013

The longest running Fourth of July festival in the Northwest suburbs opens Wednesday, July 2 for the 76th time.

For five days, the Lions Village Festival takes over Melas Park, at Busse and Central roads, with live music, plenty of food and drink, a carnival, games, a car show and two fireworks shows.

Sponsored by the Mount Prospect Lions Club and the village of Mount Prospect, the festival draws an average of 10,000 people each day.

The festival is the biggest fundraiser the Lions Club holds each year. The club uses the money to support humanitarian projects locally and internationally.

For information call (847) 870-6622 or visit www.mtprospectlions.com or www.mountprospect.org.

Lions Village Festival

WEDNESDAY, JULY 2

6-11 p.m. Festival open, carnival unlimited rides special; food tent, beer and wine tent open

6-6:15 p.m. Opening ceremonies, Boy Scout Color Guard

6:30-8 p.m. The Mix (versatile party band), main stage

8:30-9:30 p.m. Trippin Billies (Dave Matthews tribute band), main stage

9:30-10 p.m. Fireworks

10-11 p.m. Trippin Billies, main stage

11 p.m. Fest closes.

THURSDAY, JULY 3

6-11 p.m. Festival open, unlimited carnival rides special; food tent, beer and wine tent open

6:30-8 p.m. Five Guys Named Moe (variety dance rock), main stage

8:30-11 p.m. Billy Croft & The 5-Alarm (country), main stage

11 p.m. Fest closes.

FRIDAY, JULY 4

7-11 a.m. Annual Pancake Breakfast & Bake Sale ($4-$6/under 5 free)

7:30 a.m. Mount Prospect Jaycees Sparkler 5K and Kids Sparker Run (www.mountprospectjaycees.com for details)

1 p.m. Fourth of July Parade, more than 100 entries start at Lions Park and end at Melas Park fairgrounds.

1-11 p.m. Festival open. Food tent, beer and wine tent open; unlimited carnival rides special 1-5 p.m.

6-8 p.m. Classical Blast (classic rock with a classical twist), main stage

8:30-9:30 p.m. R-Gang (Motown), main stage

9:30-10 p.m. Fireworks

10-11 p.m. R-Gang, main stage

SATURDAY, JULY 5

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Car show, sponsored by Chicagoland Classic Car Club

1-11 p.m. Festival open: Food tent, beer and wine tent open; unlimited carnival rides special 1-5 p.m.

1-4 p.m. Family Day

4:30-6 p.m. Serendipity (teen pop), main stage

6:30-8 p.m. One Way Street (rock), main stage

8:30-11 p.m. Infinity (classic Rock), main stage

11 p.m. Fest closes

SUNDAY, JULY 6

1-11 p.m. Festival open, Food tent, beer and wine tent open; unlimited carnival rides special 1-5 p.m.

3:30-5:30 p.m. Karaoke with a live band, main stage

6:30-8 p.m. Reckless (high energy rock covers). main stage

8-8:30 p.m. Raffle drawing (Mayor Arlene Juracek), main stage

8:30-10:30 p.m. Modern Day Romeos (party band), main stage

11 p.m. Fest closes for 2014.

Evan DeNardis, of Mount Prospect, takes a ride on the Fun Slide during last year's festival. JOE LEWNARD/DAILY HERALD 2013

Justin Georgacakis of Mount Prospect and his son, Cheydon, get a gut check as they free-fall on the "Super Shot" ride. JOE LEWNARD/DAILY HERALD 2013

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