Campton Hills United Fall Fest grows in 7th year
Organizers of the seventh-annual Campton Hills United Fall Fest Sept. 9 have added a twist: Attendees can pre-order barbecue pork in one- and three-pound packages to be picked up the next day in a beer tent showing the Bears game.
"It's a new wrinkle - a low-maintenance, fun day where you can join us for a beer, a burger and pick up your order while the game is on," said Mark Malloy, one of the organizers of the festival, organized initially to unite the village after a contentious movement to incorporate a decade ago.
The main attraction is a family-friendly festival from 3 to 10 p.m. on the grounds of the Congregational United Church of Christ, 40W451 Fox Mill Blvd.
Malloy said the Kids' Corner, a large assortment of inflatable obstacles, is a staple for the event, along with live music, bags tournament, classic car show, food, an outdoor children's movie and fireworks show beginning at about 8:30 p.m.
Admission is free, so organizers don't have an exact number for attendance. But they estimate it draws up to 2,000. The fest also raises money for local charities.
Malloy said attendees can fill out an order form for barbecue, and volunteers will begin cooking at 4 the next morning for pickup between noon and 3 p.m. Sept. 10 at the fest site.
Malloy said the fest raised about $15,000 last year.
"We call it united because we really wanted to bring the community together," he said. "It's grown every year in popularity."
Among this year's entertainment will be students from the School of Rock in Geneva.
Leslie Silver, general manager at School of Rock in Geneva, said the school's house band has 10 members aged 12 to 17. The band plays songs by artists including Led Zeppelin and The B-52s, and it has performed at festivals in Geneva, St. Charles, North Aurora and other towns.
Silver said the band offers audience members a better look at what the school, which is nearing its second year, has to offer, as well as a learning experience for band members.
For information and a schedule of events, visit unitedfallfest.com.