Railroad Days returns to West Chicago

Railroad Days is back.

The music, the carnival, the fireworks, the parade - everything West Chicago's annual festival brought to the community before last year is returning, organizers say.

"Everything is coming back," said David Sabathne, president of the Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce. "We're excited to bring back every part of it."

Traditionally, the festival had filled Reed-Keppler Park. But the 2014 addition of the Athletics, Recreation and Community Center, followed by additional construction in the park last year, left the fest without enough space on the site. Organizers opted to scale back the celebration, retaining only the fireworks and parade.

This year, Railroad Days debuts in Pioneer Park, where the festival will now include fireworks, a parade, bands, and a carnival. Festivities run Thursday through Sunday, July 7 to 10, in the park, 479 W. Forest Ave.

"I do think that the community was very behind bringing it back," said Rosemary Mackey, the city's communications and marketing coordinator. "The community enjoys it, and it brings them together. I believe there will be great anticipation (for Railroad Days) and we'll see a wonderful crowd."

One of the main things Mackey said people look forward to every year is the parade, with people winding around the neighborhood and putting their lawn chairs and blankets on the grassy areas to enjoy the floats.

"There's a great community spirit, with everyone supporting the participants," she said. "The cheers and smiles on the kids' faces are really something."

The parade will feature 75 to 80 entries, Sabathne said.

The parade's theme is "Everyday Olympians," an idea connecting upcoming Olympic Games to honoring people who excel everyday and strive to be better, Sabathne said.

The theme recognizes "everyday" Olympians and local heroes such as those in the Special Olympics, Wounded Warriors and academic "Olympians." Sabathne says organizers don't limit the type of entry that can be in the parade because they want to make sure Railroad Days is a community festival.

"We want every group to feel a part of it," he said.

The city of West Chicago contracts the chamber to plan the event starting in October.

Railroad Days organizers chose North American Midway Entertainment to provide the carnival this year after visiting the company's operations at four different festivals to check out its safety and professionalism.

All of the musical entertainment at Railroad Days is free, including Think Floyd, which will perform Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" album half an hour after the fireworks end on Saturday.

"It will really bring back and introduce the band to people," Sabathne said. "It's going to be a production. Just top-notch entertainment."

Other bands on the weekend bill include Who's Who, Voyage, and The Trippin' Billies, a Dave Matthews tribute band.

The city aims to keep the fair affordable for families every year, Mackey said.

"It makes us more accessible. The public appreciates it and it gives the city a way to give back to the community," she said.

Sabathne said the festival allows people to forget their busy schedules and get away for a while.

"They can be around great neighbors, entertain themselves," he said. "West Chicago residents are great ambassadors. We don't have to sell our community, our residents do that for us."

Sabathne says Pioneer Park lends itself to fireworks and there are many houses around the area so more residents can walk to the event, giving them easier access to it.

"It's surrounded by housing. I think it's going to be a good location, bigger site, nicer set up, " he added.

This year, a new addition to Railroad Days is the Michael Browning 5K Walk/Run run on Saturday, July 9. Though the run has been going on for five years, this will be the first time it will be part of Railroad Days.

West Chicago Police Detective Robbi Peterson said organizers moved it to Railroad Days weekend because they thought it might draw more attention and more participants to the run that honors Michael Browning, a West Chicago police officer killed in the line of duty on April 20, 1992, when he was struck by a car being stolen from a local dealership.

"We just want to keep his memory alive, make sure people don't forget about him and the sacrifice he made," Peterson said.

Browning's father comes out each year to help award ribbons and medals to top finishers. Each participant gets a T-shirt and a token of thanks as well, with this year's being a medallion coin honoring Browning.

Race proceeds support a scholarship fund in Browning's memory for students studying criminal justice at College of DuPage.

A number of officers go to Browning's grave site each year to remember him.

"He grew up in this town. All he ever wanted to do is serve his community," Peterson said.

If you go

What: West Chicago's Railroad Days

When: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 7; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 8; 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 9 and 10. Fireworks at dusk Saturday; parade at 1 p.m. Sunday; Michael Browning 5K Memorial Walk/Run at 8 a.m. Saturday

Where: Pioneer Park, 479 W. Forest Ave., West Chicago

Info: westerndupagechamber.com