Sixteen Candles, Wedding Banned headline Mt. Prospect downtown block party

Two full days of free entertainment, kids activities, local food vendors and more await in Mount Prospect July 24 and 25 for the 16th annual Downtown Block Party.

Sponsored by the Village of Mount Prospect and the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce, the party will be held 4-11 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday at the corner of Emerson Street and Busse Avenue, next to Village Hall.

Children's activities include a climbing wall, pony rides, slide, mini Ferris wheel, bounce houses, face painting, balloon artist and more. Pony rides and face-painting will be held 2-6 p.m. on Saturday.

"The Downtown Block Party is an eagerly anticipated midsummer delight enjoyed by families of all ages, a real hometown celebration," said Mount Prospect Mayor Arlene A. Juracek.

"People love the atmosphere of this successful community event," said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dawn Fletcher Collins. "The recipe ... local restaurants, local businesses, great music and free kids' activities all in one place."

Free parking is available:

• Metra commuter lot, Northwest Highway at Route 83

• The village hall parking deck, 50 S. Emerson St. • Maple Street parking lot, Prospect Avenue at Maple Street.

Participating food and beverage vendors are: BlackFinn Ameripub; Mia's Cantina; Mr. Beef & Pizza; Fellini Restaurant & Pizzeria; Capannari Ice Cream; Nothing Bundt Cakes; Completely Nuts; Bar Louie; Mount Prospect Junior Women's Club (soda & water) and the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce (beverages).

Main stage Friday

5 p.m. Diving for Dynamite 7 p.m. Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press 9 p.m. Sixteen Candles

Saturday 3 p.m. Beatolution 5 p.m. Hello Weekend 7 p.m. The Personnel 9 p.m. Wedding Banned

For information, call (847) 398-6616 or visit www.mpblockparty.com or www.facebook.com/mtprospectparty.