Officials consider scheduling changes for Palatine Street Fest
Palatine's annual downtown Street Fest might schedule headline bands earlier Friday and Saturday nights, one of several possible changes proposed for the event this year.
While a combination of factors may have been involved, Deputy Village Manager Michael Jacobs said the crowd thinned this year when nationally known band Sister Hazel took the stage as scheduled at 10:30 p.m. Aug. 26. The band played 1½ hours without a break until the festival closed at midnight.
Jacobs said many patrons now visit Street Fest at dinnertime, so it may be too much to expect they'll remain for three hours or longer until the headliner plays.
No decision has been made, but officials are considering scheduling the main acts to begin in the 9-9:30 p.m. range on Friday and Saturday.
As with any outdoor festival, some matters are out of organizers' control. This year, Jacobs said, several fest-goers on Saturday appeared to have been interested in the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Conor McGregor fight, possibly contributing to the dwindling crowd.
"Walking by some of the bars that had (the fight) on pay-per-view, there were people in there," he said.
This year will mark the 19th annual Street Fest in downtown Palatine. The bash, which is set from Aug. 24 to 26, typically draws about 30,000 people over the weekend.
Ravenswood Event Services/Duff Entertainment will organize Street Fest again, after the village council this week awarded the Chicago-based event planned a $15,000 contract.
The council budgeted $207,000 for Street Fest. The village in turn receives revenue from beer sales, sponsorships and other sources. Topping the budgeted expenses are main stage entertainment - including bands, stage and lighting - for $65,000. Beer, wine, soda and water will cost an estimated $60,000 combined.
Food from Palatine restaurants is a big part of the festival. However, Jacobs said, another potential change would allow eateries with brick-and-mortar locations outside the village to participate if spaces are available.
"We don't want to get into the food vendors (that operate) just for festivals," he said.