Festival to bring together community businesses, families

The Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 35th birthday with an inaugural festival along the Fox River that event organizers hope will bring together the community's families and businesses.

In previous years, the chamber held expositions for local businesses to gather and promote their products. This year, chamber President Melissa Hernandez said she wanted something that was more engaging for the whole community.

The Fest on the Fox is 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 18 in the parking lot at Otto Engineering, 2 E. Main St., Carpentersville. The location was chosen because of its proximity to the Fox River, which connects three of the chamber's towns: Carpentersville, East Dundee and West Dundee.

"There's a lot of synergy there," Hernandez said. "It's a perfect space and a great opportunity to highlight and promote the essence of our community."

The chamber also represents Sleepy Hollow and Gilberts.

At the festival, local businesses that register by July 13 will be exhibited throughout the grounds, Hernandez said. Salons, gymnastics facilities and contractors are among the businesses that have already registered for a booth, she said.

"Some are coming out to support their chamber, and others are coming out to get the mission of their business out there," she said.

Additional features include live music, local food vendors, a baggo tournament and activities for children, Hernandez said.

The chamber is also continuing to hold auditions for the Village Voices contest, at which three contestants per age category - 6 to 11, 12 to 17, and 18 and older - will perform for three minutes during the festival. Andrew Grams, maestro for the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, is scheduled to be a judge.

Hernandez said an impromptu audition for the voices competition could be scheduled July 7 at the Village Squire in West Dundee for those who call the chamber ahead of time.

With various family-friendly features and live entertainment, Hernandez said, the festival aims to promote local businesses by attracting residents.

"I'm hoping to get people to appreciate the amazing talent we have and the wonderful businesses we have in this great community we have," Hernandez said.

The festival is open to the public. For details, call the chamber at (847) 426-8565.