Gilberts Community Days kicks off festival season
The sixth edition of Gilberts Community Days kicks off the Fox Valley summer season this weekend.
The festival, which begins Thursday, June 2, and runs through Sunday, June 5, features a carnival, live bands, children's activities, a classic car show, Touch-a-Truck, a magician and a petting zoo, plus food and alcohol.
New this year is a puppeteer show, said Debra Meadows, chairwoman of the Community Days Foundation, the nonprofit that organizes the yearly event. There will also be fun new crafts, all free, at the children's tents.
There will be 13 bands throughout the four-day festival, including headliners Sonic 7 on Thursday, American English on Friday, Breakfast Club on Saturday and Hip Pockit on Sunday.
“There really is something for everyone, of all ages,” Meadows said. “And it's family oriented.”
The village supports the event through the use of public facilities, but no public funds are expended, said Meadows, who also serves as village clerk.
“It's all local businesses and organizations that donate to the foundation. We also get revenues from the Windy City (Amusements) carnival (that runs with the festival),” she said.
Gilberts Community Days takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at Towne Centre Park, Route 72 and Center Drive, Gilberts.
Parking is available in downtown Gilberts or off Route 72 on Arrowhead Drive, Sola Drive and East End Drive. A YMCA free shuttle service runs on Friday and Saturday evenings.
For information call (847) 428-2861, or visit the Gilberts Community Days page on Facebook or gilbertscommunitydays.com.