Heritage Fest grows bigger with East Dundee involvement

Now, it's Dundee Township's time to have a party.

While surrounding communities have put away their banners, no parking placards and special events signs for another year, East and West Dundee will be taking out theirs for Heritage Fest.

The three-day party starts Friday and runs until Sunday. During that time, cooperation will reign and rain will be insured, so fireworks will be lighted, carnival rides will twirl, a parade will march and music will music will play.

Heritage Fest has been a late-summer staple for decades. West Dundee village trustees have carried, coordinated and funded it for much of that time. This year, though, East Dundee officials will continue contributing more of their share of volunteers, space and money.

"This is a cooperative effort between the two villages," said Karen Blair, East Dundee marketing director and one of the fest's organizers. "West Dundee has done a great job building a foundation of events for Heritage Fest.

To see a complete list of all festival events, activities and locations, visit wdundeeheritagefest.org/. The highlights of the festival are long-standing and new events both villages will add.

The party starts at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, when the carnival rides begin along Water Street in East Dundee. An hour later, the music starts and food vendors open for business in both villages. After they have their fill of songs and food, revelers can enjoy a fireworks display at 8 p.m. over the Fox River.

Saturday and Sunday will hold many of the new events, said Kim Tibbetts, a lead festival organizer in West Dundee.

"We've added fitness-related activities this year," she said. "A kids' yoga class will be held Saturday along with a martial arts demonstration. The Dundee Township Park District have added a fun run on Sunday morning."

Registrations and details for the one-and-a-half-mile run can be found on the park district's website at dtpd.org.

Other events on Saturday include a classic car show, an antique fair, and activities for children, all in West Dundee. In East Dundee, a business fair, Deutsch Fest, antique appraisal program and kids' activities will be held.

After the run, families can walk over to West Dundee and enjoy the annual community breakfast, which will be served from 8-11 a.m.

Sunday will also hold a full list of activities in both villages. The centerpiece will be the homecoming parade for Dundee-Crown High School. It begins at 2 p.m. at North Van Buren Street in East Dundee and continues west on Route 72.

Other events include an antique car show, a craft fair, an antique fair and Baggo tournament.

Holding the festival during changeable fall weather does have a risk of rain dampening the festivities. Last year was a prime example when the Friday night fireworks show was rained out but held the following night.

West Dundee trustees buy a weather insurance policy which allows them to recover $20,000 of what they paid to hold the events. For them to recover the funds, a half inch of rain must fall at O'Hare International Airport between 5 and 10 p.m.

Less than half that amount fell last year.

East Dundee trustees have decided not to buy a similar policy, Blair said.

If you go

What: Heritage Fest, a late summer festival in East and West Dundee

When: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20

Where: Various locations in both villages' downtown areas. Attendees are encouraged to park at Spring Hill Mall, routes 31 and 72, and take the trolley.

Admission: Free

Details: <a href="http://www.wdundeeheritagefest.org">www.wdundeeheritagefest.org</a>