Harley-Davidson show to highlight Itasca Fest
If you want to get a close-up look at the most recent bikes to come off the Harley-Davidson production line, Itasca Fest is the place to be Saturday.
And if you'd like to check out some Harley leathers, well, they'll be on display, too.
“We're having a Harley-Davidson fashion show,” says Mike Subers, co-chairman of this year's four-day celebration that starts Thursday, July 12, and goes through Sunday, July 15, in Washington Park, 350 E. Irving Park Road.
“We're working with Windy City Harley-Davidson,” Subers says. “The Harley dealership is going to bring out some motorcycles and put them on display.”
Models also will show off a selection of Harley clothing and accessories during the 2 p.m. show.
Another highlight of this year's festival is the music lineup that features bluesman Ronnie Baker Brooks as Saturday night's headliner.
The Arlingtones, a men's a cappella group, gets the music started during the 6 p.m. Thursday opening ceremonies. They'll be followed by Throwback Jukebox, a band that plays rock ‘n' roll from the '50s and '60s.
On Friday, AC/DC tribute band Down Pour starts things off before ARRA brings classic ‘80s rock to the stage.
Opening for Brooks' classic Chicago blues show at 10 p.m. Saturday will be performances by Motley Crue tribute band Sixx and Jimmy Nick & Don't Tell Mama, performing old school rock and blues.
Sunday's entertainment will feature a DJ with music and karaoke and Heartache Tonight, an Eagles tribute band.
Subers says the festival stage will welcome back American English, a Beatles tribute band that has played Itasca Fest for more than 20 years, to close out the festival with a show that goes from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.
“We also have a killer carnival,” Subers says. “They've got everything for all ages.”
Bingo will be available each day inside the air-conditioned Itasca Park District gym and 13 food vendors will offer a variety of dishes in the Itasca Lions Den Pavilion.
On Saturday afternoon, there will be a bunch of children's activities along with pony rides and a petting zoo. A health fair will be in the park district gym from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Usher Park will host an Old Time Flea Market from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
And from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, there will be a classic car show in Usher Park.
The festival is presented by the Itasca Lions Club in conjunction with the Village of Itasca, says Subers, a Lions Club member and the village's utilities superintendent. Proceeds benefit charities supported by the club.
Subers says on-street parking is available throughout the area.
The festival is the village's biggest party of the year and usually draws about 40,000 people over its four-day run.
Itasca Fest 2018
Itasca Fest is open from 6 to 11 p.m. Thursday, July 12; 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 13; 8 a.m. to midnight Saturday, July 14; and 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, July 15, in Washington Park, 350 E. Irving Park Road. Admission is free. For details, visit itascalions.org or Itasca.com.
Thursday, July 12
6-6:30 p.m. Opening ceremony and performance by The Arlingtones
6-11 p.m. Food vendors and Itasca Lions Den Pavilion
6-10:30 p.m. Indoor Cash Bingo
6-10:30 p.m. Carnival handstamp special
7:30-10:30 p.m. Throwback Jukebox rock 'n' roll of the '50s and '60s
Friday, July 13
6 p.m. to midnight Food vendors and Itasca Lions Den Pavilion
6-11 p.m. Indoor Cash Bingo
6 p.m. to midnight Carnival rides and games
6-9 p.m. U.S. Army tactical display
7-9 p.m. Down Pour, AC/DC tribute band
10 p.m. to midnight ARRA performs classic '80s rock
Saturday, July 14
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Flea market
Noon-midnight Food vendors and Itasca Lions Den Pavilion
Noon-8 p.m. U.S. Army tactical display
1-11 p.m. Indoor Cash Bingo
1-5 p.m. Carnival handstamp special
2-4 p.m. Harley-Davidson Fashion Show
2-6 p.m. Kids entertainment, pony rides, petting zoo
4:30-6 p.m. SIXX, Motley Crue tribute band
7-9 p.m. Jimmy Nick & Don't Tell Mama performs old school rock and blues
10 p.m. to midnight Ronnie Baker Brooks performs the blues
Sunday, July 15
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Classic Car Show in Usher Park
Noon- 11 p.m. Food vendors and Itasca Lions Den Pavilion
Noon-5 p.m. Lester's Learn 'n' Play, children's activities
Noon Happy Acres Fishing Derby awards
1-2 p.m. DJ Terry Salat, music and karaoke
1-5 p.m. Carnival hand stamp special
1-4 p.m. Itasca Health Fair
1-9 p.m. Indoor Cash Bingo
2-6 p.m. Kids entertainment, pony rides, petting zoo
3-4:30 p.m. In Session, '50s and '60s rock
5:30-7:30 p.m. Heartache Tonight, Eagles tribute band
8:30-10:30 p.m. American English, Beatles tribute band