Bartlett to celebrate 125th year at Heritage Days
Bartlett Heritage Days is extra special this year because it also marks the village's 125th anniversary.
The village was founded when the Bartlett train station was built on the Chicago & Pacific Railroad in 1873. Today, Bartlett has grown to a village of more than 40,000 that takes pride in its rural heritage.
Now in its seventh year, the fall festival Friday through Sunday, Sept. 9 to 11, is designed to honor and celebrate the area's rich history. The full schedule is at bartlettheritageday.com. It includes several events to honor the town's 125th birthday:
• Bartlett's 125th Scavenger Hunt, starting in Bartlett Park and throughout downtown, run by Chicagoland Blue Star Mothers. Collect five wooden nickels between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday and win a prize.
• World's Largest Birthday Picnic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in Bartlett Park (Oak and North avenues). Bring your own picnic and chairs; birthday cake served at noon. Sing "Happy Birthday" to Bartlett along with the 144th Army Five-Star Ceremonial Band of the Illinois National Guard. Bartlett High School performs at 1 p.m.
• Open House at Bartlett's oldest church, Immanuel United Church of Christ, also celebrating its 125th anniversary. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 415 W. North Ave.
• Free admission to Depot Museum, 100 W. Railroad Ave., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, where you can learn about Bartlett's railroad heritage. Exhibits provide hands-on fun for all ages. Pick up free self-guided walking tours of historic downtown Bartlett buildings.
• Two exhibits showcasing Bartlett's 125 years of incorporation - "Bartlett: 125 Years, Objects, Stories" and "Collecting Our Culture: Curated by the Community" - from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Bartlett History Museum, 228 S. Main St. The exhibits includes sports jerseys, pictures, posters, promotional giveaways from Bartlett businesses, trophies and village historical documents.
• 125th Anniversary T-shirts are on sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Arts in Bartlett Gallery, 215 S. Main St. The exhibit "America the Beautiful" features winners of VFW High School Patriotic Art Contest and works by local artists.
Other festival elements include:
• Come Ready to Rock! Festival music includes the country band Ghost Ryders from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday at Banbury Fair; Kevin Lee and the Kings and Leaving Scarlet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday on West Bartlett Avenue, east of Oak Street; and 7Deez from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday at Banbury Fair.
• Hop on an old-fashioned trolley for a free, 45-minute tour as docents from the Bartlett Historical Society highlight historic buildings and homes and the people who lived in them. Reserve your seat with tickets available starting at 11 a.m. Arrive 10 minutes before your tour; empty seats will be filled with standbys at 5 minutes before. Tours are Sunday at noon, 1:30 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the village hall parking lot, 228 S. Main St.
• Bingo at Banbury Fair, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday in the Bingo Tent. Watch the Bears game in the tent Sunday afternoon; winner of the last bingo game takes home the TV.
• Bags Tournament from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the corner of Oak Street and West Bartlett Road.
• Classic Car Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, West Bartlett Road, east of Oak Street.
• Mr. D's House of Magic and Illusion Show, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
• 15th Anniversary of 9/11, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. shuttle from the village hall parking lot, 228 S. Main St., to the Veterans Memorial at Stearns and South Bartlett roads.