Local bands highlight Rose Fest lineup
On the heels of Memorial Day, summer's unofficial kickoff, Roselle's Rose Festival will bring music, food, bingo, rides and a parade to town for four days.
The festivities, beginning Thursday, May 31, are presented by the Roselle Lions Club.
"All the money we raise is going to help less privileged people in the community," said Bob Jilke, festival co-chairman.
An average of $9,000 is raised each year for local food pantries, he said.
This year, the musical lineup will lean heavily toward homegrown performers.
"We're using a lot of local bands vs. hiring outside bands," Jilke said. "We've got four local bands this year."
Hinge will deliver classic rock at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 31. On Friday, June 1, Woogie brings its brand of rock 'n' roll to the stage at 7 p.m., followed by a performance at 9 p.m. by headliner Camouflage Sun. Entertainment on Saturday, June 2, begins at 1 p.m. with Lights, Camera, Dance and continues with a show at 6 p.m. from the Brice Brothers and a performance at 8:30 p.m. from Howard and the White Boys.
The festival's music wraps up with a show at 5 p.m. Sunday, June 3, featuring classic rock band The Last Generation, Jilke said.
There will be bingo games each day of the festival with a grand prize of $250 cash reserved for the final game Sunday. Meanwhile, food vendors will offer an assortment of barbecued dishes, Mexican food and perennial summertime treats such as frozen ices, Jilke said.
The Rose Parade caps the festival on Sunday. Presented by the Roselle Chamber of Commerce, the parade starts at 2 p.m. at Roselle Road and Devon Avenue. The route continues east on Thorndale Avenue, south on Prospect Street, and east on Irving Park Road, ending at Lawrence Avenue.
"We have between 90 and 100 entries," said Gail Croson, the chamber's executive director.
Aboard one float will be Joie Allen, a Lake Park High School graduating senior who in March was crowned 2018 Roselle Rose Queen.
As contest winner, Allen said she will appear at several village events and holiday celebrations. She also will receive a $2,000 college tuition scholarship.
"I'm going to North Central in Naperville next year. I'm going to be running track there," she said.
She said she plans to study health science and has her eye on a career as a paramedic.
Allen said she and her family have gone to the Rose Festival and the Rose Parade for years. As a youngster, she'd ride on a fire truck with her firefighter father.
She said she made up her mind to aim for a turn as Rose Queen when she was a little girl and she glimpsed that year's queen during a post-parade luncheon.
"In comes this girl and she looked like Belle (from Disney's "Beauty and the Beast") in a yellow dress," she said.
Allen said she's looking forward to inspiring young girls and to welcoming all visitors to the parade.
"I'm really excited about it," Allen said. "I'll be waving to everybody."
If you go
What: 2018 Rose Festival
When: Thursday through Sunday, May 31 to June 3
Where: Roselle Metra station, Irving Park Road and Maple Avenue, Roselle
Admission: Free
Ride wristbands: $20-$25
Info: roselle.il.us