Americana Jubilee returns to downtown Elgin July 4
The Americana Jubilee will return on Saturday, July 4, immediately following the Elgin Fourth of July Parade at 10 a.m. Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court, will once again host this year's Jubilee. The free event is open to the public and families are encouraged to attend.
The Americana Jubilee is a Fourth of July celebration of all things American, especially pie, says Elgin Fringe Festival artistic director Erin Rehberg.
"We wanted to bring back the jubilee because last year was so much fun for everyone," she said. "This event captures the American spirit by taking some nostalgic ideas and making them new again."
The very popular pie eating contest and pie judging contest for the best homemade pie is returning this year. The Bake-Off competition celebrity judges include Elgin High School Principal Jerry Cook, Hamilton Wings Executive Director Rise Jones, Koopa & Los Mysterios Band members, Elgin City Councilwoman Carol Rauschenberger, and In the Neighborhood Deli owner Jeff Turner. The public is also invited to sample the pies and vote on their favorite recipe.
New for this year is live music performances throughout the day by Dirty Water, Little Yellow Dog and Koopa & Los Mysterious.
Also new is a tintype photo booth, pinewood derby contest, paper airplane contest, tug of war, potato sack races, three-legged races, and a dunk tank, featuring Elgin Police Chief Jeff Swoboda, Elgin Councilman John Steffen, Hemmens Director Butch Wilhelmi, Janus Theater Artistic Director Sean Hargadon and others taking turns getting dunked by the public.
Free kid activities includes hoola hoops, bubble-making, crafts and games, juggling and more. Some events have a small fee and all proceeds will benefit the nonprofit sponsors.
The Americana Jubilee is sponsored by Side Street Studio Arts, Kirkpatrick, Jones & Herzog Insurance Agency, Imago Studios, Blue Box Café and the Elgin Fringe Festival. More information is available at www.sidestreetstudioarts.org and www.elginfringefestival.com.
On Facebook, join Americana Jubilee or like Elgin Fringe Festival.