150,000 enjoyed successful Frontier Days in Arlington Heights

Nice weather and large crowds made the 41st annual Frontier Days Festival in Arlington Heights a rousing success, organizers said Tuesday.

"We had wonderful days filled with family activities," said Pat Peery, president of the Frontier Days board of directors.

"The weather was great. Everything went so well."

Peery estimated that 150,000 people flocked to downtown Arlington Heights for the five-day festival to taste treats from local vendors, visit the carnival or petting zoo, listen to live music and more.

"It's all about that hometown feel," she said. "It's wonderful that families can come down and enjoy all this free entertainment so close to home."

Some of the bigger-name entertainers this year included the bands The Wallflowers and Plain White T's.

Volunteers spent most of Tuesday taking down decorations and signage from Recreation Park.

"These people are amazing and spend so much of their time making sure everything goes well," Peery said of her loyal group of volunteers.

Peery said organizers will take a short break before starting to plan for next year's festival.

She and her husband, Bill, have been volunteering with the festival for more than three decades.