Autumn Fest turnout shows Carpentersville's community spirit

From what I hear, the first Autumn Fest was a hit in Carpentersville last weekend.

Village President Bill Sarto said he was very impressed with the turnout at both the parade, which wrapped around Carpenter Park, and the festival that followed.

Sarto said residents told him the last time Carpentersville held a parade was back on Oct. 26, 1960, when then-Sen. John F. Kennedy delivered a campaign speech at Meadowdale Mall.

"I hope we don't have to wait another 46 years for a parade," Sarto said. "I would like to do at least one parade and festival a year. I think we can do that. I heard a lot of positive comments about the parade."

Autumn Fest was organized by the village's park committee, headed by Trustee Linda Ramirez-Sliwinski and Kane County board member Hollie Kissane. The panel organized the event, rounded up sponsors and local businesses in about six weeks, Sarto said.

Although he said he was nervous about the turnout, Sarto said his fears were quelled when he saw hundreds of people lined up along the parade route.

Sarto said about 400 people were out for the parade, which featured about 30 vehicles and floats. Another 350 or so were on hand for the festival.

The family games, food and live music were all a hit. Not bad for a first-time festival.

But Sarto vows to make it bigger and even more spectacular next year.

"People told me they met new people and found out about businesses they didn't even know were in the village," Sarto said.

"That's what a parade and festival is all about. It is up to the local government to help a community be a community."

That, according to Sarto, is what his village needs -- a sense of community and unity.

"Without a parade or festival, people don't have a feeling of belonging in a town," Sarto said.

"They are just as important as other services the village provides. There are so many things missing in this town that usually hold a town together."

Sarto did his part as a village leader, paying for the live bands 33 1/3 and Baby Cage out of his own pocket.

He said he was particularly impressed by 33 1/3, a band of 12- and 13-year-olds from Dundee Township who play classic rock covers.

You can check them out at this weekend's Heritage Fest in West Dundee's Grafelman Park. But before then, you can catch live footage and other clips at myspace.com/30threeandathird.

Speaking of Heritage Fest, if you liked Dot Dot Dot at Lake in the Hills' Summer Sunset Fest a few weeks ago, don't miss Catfight, which is headlining Heritage Fest on Saturday night.

Rose and Little Lisa from Dot Dot Dot are also members of Catfight. They'll be on the Main Stage from 9 to 11 p.m.