A rip-roaring festival

Every festival coordinator knows that months of planning could be all for naught if one thing goes wrong at the community party.

The weather could change from sunny and warm to cold and rainy. Musical entertainers could be late or not show at all. Food, drink and ice could run out. And, heaven forbid, portable restrooms could break.

Since the beginning of summer, planners of West Dundee's Heritage Fest have considered these scenarios. And they say they are ready. Except for bad weather they are ready to have their 3-day party start on Friday.

With hundreds of volunteers, 16 food vendors, a long list of musical acts, a fireworks display, armed actors dressed in Civil War uniforms, crafters and antique vendors, they are hoping the only complaint will be that there was too much to see and do.

"The (Fox) river has gone down and that's good," said Barb Traver, one of the organizers. "Now, we need some nice weather to dry things out."

The stage and many of the food booths and crafters will be along the riverwalk and Washington Street. The Civil War actors and other attractions will be in Cal Grafelman Park, along Route 72.

To head off one potential problem, festival coordinators had to make sure the antique dealers weren't put near the actors. The uniformed folks are bringing with them a canon, which they will fire on Saturday and Sunday. It won't have a ball, but its discharge will be loud enough to rattle windows in nearby neighborhoods.

By putting the actors and their weapon behind the park's tennis courts and the antique vendors on the other side of the park, hopefully disaster will be avoided, said Barb Haines, another organizer.

We'll see how well the courts absorb the booms. If it's too loud, maybe the men and woman portraying Ben Franklin and his wife, and Abraham Lincoln will take cover in a partial log cabin, which will also be set up in the park.

Even before it's fired, local residents will have become used to loud noises. The fireworks display is scheduled for Friday night.

This is the third year the village has sponsored Heritage Fest. By now, planners know what to expect, Haines has said. They also know how to fix it, if something goes wrong.

It's also the first year East Dundee hasn't contributed ideas or money to the party. The cash-strapped village will not ignore the festivities. Leaders of the village on the east bank of the Fox River will have their own party on Sunday. They will call it a fine arts festival. Photographers, painters and woodcarvers will display their works and children will have a chance to create their own art.

A wine-tasting festival is also planned in East Dundee for that day.

And like in West Dundee, should rain fall from the sky, the fair in East Dundee will come complete with tents and umbrellas.