Roselle's Rose Festival ready for annual four-day run
Anyone who's got their bingo mojo working should circle Sunday, June 4, on their calendar.
That's when a $250 cash prize will be awarded to the bingo champion at the 57th annual Rose Festival in Roselle.
Bingo games are scheduled for Friday through Sunday in the bingo tent at the four-day festival that begins Thursday just outside the Roselle train station.
The festival is presented by the Roselle Lions Club and benefits the group's charitable endeavors. Past projects have involved donations to the park district, public library and historical foundation, according to the club's website.
Following Lions Club tradition, the club also helps provide eyeglasses and hearing aids for in-need people with vision and hearing problems, festival Chairman Bob Jilke said.
“Last year, we raised a net of about $14,000,” Jilke said. “We raised over $200,000 over the past 19 years.”
There's no charge for admission; food, ride tickets and games are available for purchase.
Jilke said the festival will have kiddie rides and rides for the older crowd.
“We may have a new ride this year; it's one of those that makes your hair stand on end,” he said. “We're trying to appeal to young families with smaller kids and also to teenagers and adults.”
The festival will include nightly live music, as well as performances by local dance groups.
Local band Woogie will be the main stage headliners at 8 p.m. Thursday. Country rock band Mason Rivers will play at 8 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, the 8 p.m. performance will feature headliner Howard and the White Boys.
“They're an old rhythm and blues band that got started at Northern Illinois University. They started out as students and they're still playing together,” Jilke said.
Main stage entertainment wraps up with a 4 p.m. Sunday performance by Zydeco Voodoo.
Jilke said the shows will go on even if it rains.
“If it's raining, we'll have entertainment in the tent. We will stay in the tent and stay open,” he said.
The Rose Festival Parade, featuring the Rose Queen and presented by the Roselle Chamber of Commerce, steps off at 2 p.m. Sunday at Turner Park, near the corner of North Roselle Road and Devon Avenue.
Food vendors at the Rose Festival will offer Mexican fare, barbecue, pizza and hot dogs, Jilke said.
“Roselle is a small community. It's a nice carnival. We keep the prices down. A lot of people come and have a good time,” Jilke said. “We keep Rose Festival a family event.”