Summer's not over yet

Food, music, a parade and portable toilets will be part of the fun for Grayslake's Summer Days festival that runs Friday through Sunday.

Organizers expect at least 30,000 visitors to pass through the free event on Seymour Avenue in downtown Grayslake, west of Route 83 and Center Street.

Karen Christian Smith, executive director of the Grayslake Chamber of Commerce, said one highlight will be a quirky contest brought back by popular demand for its second year.

Five teams so far have entered the Port-A-Potty Decorating Contest. Grayslake Summer Days chairman Gregory Koeppen said it costs $50 for individuals or businesses to adopt a portable toilet and decorate it in a variety of creative ways.

"We've all seen the TV show 'Design On a Dime.' Well, look out cable access, because here comes 'Design Before You Dump,' " Koeppen joked.

Grayslake Summer Days will go from 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday. The parade will begin at noon Sunday, followed by events on Seymour Avenue from roughly noon to 5 p.m.

Country music will dominate Friday. "Tin Horse" will hit the main stage at 6 p.m., followed by "Mason Rivers" at 8 p.m. and "Country Sky Band" at 10 p.m.

In addition to carnival rides and children's games, Saturday's highlights will include rock with the "Trippin' Billies" at 6 p.m. on the main stage. "7th Heaven" will be on at 8 p.m., with "Mike and Joe" capping the evening.

Smith said more than 100 units will be in Sunday's parade, as well as marching bands, floats, horses and local Shriners. She said the parade will step off at noon on Library Lane, work south to Center Street, west to Lake Street and finish to the north at Grayslake Central High School.

There also will be a pet and bicycle parade starting at noon Sunday on Park Avenue, between Slusser Street and Seymour Avenue.

Sweet corn from Charcoal Delights will be among the food staples at the festival.