Fun in motion
You could say Lake in the Hills is one of the healthiest towns in the Fox Valley because it offers at least half a dozen runs throughout the year.
Even the town's upcoming Summer Sunset Festival has a 5K run attached to it.
But unlike the town's other 5K races, this one's taking place at night, instead of in the early morning hours.
The time was chosen so it didn't clash with local 5K races occurring Saturday, said Paul Mulcahy, who co-chairs the festival with his wife, Debbie.
"It seemed best to put it on Friday night, and we just kind of got our niche and stayed there," he said.
One of the most popular festival events is Saturday's Melon Propellin' contest in which participants build homemade catapults to fire watermelons across Sunset Park.
The machine that propels watermelons the furthest wins a trophy.
The current record is 360 feet, Mulcahy said, noting that people are lining up to topple it.
"Somebody's going to beat that this year, I can feel it," he said.
"It's kind of a thrill to watch that machine wind up -- and the watermelon just comes flying out there."
Returning to the fest this year is the Summer Sunset Fest Idol contest, which Paula McKay, a disc jockey from Star 105.5-FM, will emcee.
Nineteen contestants have advanced to the finals and will participate in the ultimate sing-off on Sunday.
In true "American Idol" fashion, the audience will pick the winners from two age groups -- 16 and under and 17 and older.
If the semifinals were any indication, huge crowds will turn out to watch as the singers battle their way to the top.
There also will be a Battle of the Bands competition on Sunday.
Bands qualify for this contest by submitting their demo tapes or CDs to the village's parks and recreation department.
The winner scores $125. Second place gets $50, and the third-place winner receives $25. Three judges will select the winner, Mulcahy said.
New to the festival this year is Kids' Korner, a series of tents offering free performers, games, math and science experiments and crafts for children.
Additional events include the fifth annual skateboard competition, which features 50 skaters each day of the festival. There are also a parade, food, a beer garden, carnival rides, a horseshoe competition, bingo, a car show and a craft show, as the sun begins to set on summer festival fun.
If you go
What: Lake in the Hills Summer Sunset Festival
When: 3 to 10:30 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills
Cost: Free
Info: Visit www.summersunsetfest.com