Downtown Palatine ready to rock at chamber fest

Downtown Palatine will rock this weekend as the Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Rockin' The Blocks community block party featuring food, family fun and, as the name indicates, plenty of live music.

The outdoor festival runs from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, and from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, at the corner of Brockway and Slade streets.

Admission is free, and tickets for the purchase of beer, wine, pop, water and food will be available. Food vendors include Hot Dog Richie's, Signature Sweets, Tre Amici, and Yumz Frozen Yogurt.

Among the bands scheduled to perform are Nothing Yet, at 6 p.m. Friday; Mustache Pete, 8 p.m. Friday; Allison Wonder Band, 4 p.m. Saturday; The Davenport Project, 6 p.m. Saturday; and Our Name is Jonas, 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

Family Day - which takes place from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday - is a free afternoon of events open to the community. On the stage, musical chairs games will be played from 12:30 to 1 p.m., followed by the Palatine Rocks Singing Contest. Preregistered singers will perform from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The contest features two divisions of performers: Juniors, ages 6 to 12, and Teens, ages 13 to 19. Performers from Borne to Dance will take the stage at 2:45 p.m.

In the Family Day Area, a variety of community groups will be offering hands-on activities, including a fire truck from the Palatine Fire Department, chair massages with Elements Massage, a samurai challenge with J.P. Wood Martial Arts, face painting with Positive Strokes and Safari Childcare, roaming balloon artist Hank Sobotka, and games provided by Taylor Rental.

There also will be several contests, including a water balloon toss at 2:15 p.m.; watermelon eating contest at 3:15 p.m.; and Lego building contests presented by Legoland every half-hour between 12:30 and 3:30 p.m.

For more information about Rockin' The Blocks, contact Mindy Phillips, Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce director, at (847) 359-7200 or mphillips@palatinechamber.com.

The Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce's mission is to foster the advancement of commercial, industrial and civic interests that contribute to the growth and development of our members and the business environment in the Palatine area. It accomplishes its mission through networking, educational seminars, special events, governmental awareness and involvement in the community.