Long Grove Strawberry Fest is this weekend
Long Grove visitors are invited to enjoy three "berry" special days of decadent strawberry-inspired treats this weekend from local merchants, restaurants and vendors, along with a variety of music and family entertainment.
Bands playing during the festival's new evening hours include Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press and Hello Weekend on Friday, Mike and Joe and Our Name is Jonas (Weezer Tribute) on Saturday and Mr. Blotto Sunday.
Family entertainment includes face painters, balloon artists, art activities, live music performances, sack races, a strawberry pie-eating contest and other activities.
Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 26-27, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 28. Parking is free at Stempel Municipal Lot, 360 Historical Lane; Archer Lot, 343 Old McHenry Road; and Saturday and Sunday only, Kildeer Countryside Elementary School, 3100 Old McHenry Road.
Admission is $5 at the gate, except for Saturday evening, when it is $8. A three-day pass is available online for $10. Daily passes also are available online for $5; free for kids 12 and younger.
More information on the festival, including a complete schedule of performers on three different stages, and children's events and entertainers, is at www.visitlonggrove.com.
Strawberry items for sale at the festival include:
• Chocolate strawberry preserves, strawberry salsa, strawberry rhubarb preserves, strawberry hot pepper jelly and more free tastings at Galena Canning Company.
• Strawberry beer and other craft beers by Finch's Beer Company.
• Strawberry wine made exclusively for Strawberry Fest by Broken Earth Winery.
• Strawberry balsamic vinegars and gourmet strawberry products at The Olive Tap.
• Strawberry lemonade at By the Bay Lemonade.
• Arugula strawberry salad, panna cotta with fresh strawberry rhubarb sauce, strawberry and goat cheese bruschetta, filet with strawberry balsamic sauce and strawberry truffle at Long Grove Café.
• Prime rib sandwich with strawberry salsa, strawberry cocktails, strawberry Caesar salad, burgers and chicken breasts with strawberry barbecue sauce, strawberry shortcake beer mug sundae and strawberry cheesecake at The Village Tavern.
• Strawberry, strawberry chocolate and strawberry caramel popcorn; strawberry shaved ice; and strawberry cotton candy at Long Grove Popcorn Shoppe.
• Hand-poured strawberry scented soy wax candle at Epilogue.
• Strawberry ice cream cone purses at Lucy & Ethel's.
• Strawberry crush soda at Nifty 50s.
• Strawberry and citrus candles and strawberry sachets from Potpourri.
Main state bands
FRIDAY
Noon to 1:30 p.m. Rory Tyer Band
2 to 3:30 p.m. Eric Donner Duo
4 to 5:30 p.m. Fletcher Rockwell
6 to 7:30 p.m. Hello Weekend
8 to 10 p.m. Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press
SATURDAY
Noon to 1:30 p.m. Amy Yore
2 to 3:30 p.m. The Good Mondays
4 to 5:30 p.m. No Alternative
6 to 7:30 p.m. Our Name is Jonas (Weezer tribute)
8 to 10 p.m. Mike and Joe
SUNDAY
1:30 to 3 p.m. Sumer Son
3 to 4:30 p.m. The Mosquitos
5 to 7 p.m. Mr. Blotto