Alpine Fest billed as 'one heck of a party'

When Jay and the Americans take the stage Friday night at Lake Zurich's Alpine Fest, you might recognize their songs.

And you also might recognize one band member in particular: Jay Reincke, who will perform once again in front of his hometown crowd as part of the annual three-day festival in Lion Fred Blau Park on Route 22.

"I love to see him on stage. He's very talented," said friend and Lake Zurich Lions Club member Bruce Schmidt. "The whole community likes him."

Jay and the Americans was first started by four teenage boys in Sandy Yaguda's Brooklyn basement 40 years ago. From 1962 to 1971, Jay and the Americans charted 12 top 10 records. Their first hit was "Tonight" from the Broadway musical "West Side Story." Their breakout song was "She Cried." Other highlights include "Only in America," "Come A Little Bit Closer" and "This Magic Moment."

A longtime fan of the band, Reincke joined three original members, Sandy Yaguda (aka Deane), Howie Kirschenbaum and Marty Kupersmith (aka Sanders) to recreate the authentic sound that people will remember.

"He's performed their music before he became part of the band," Schmidt said. "When they saw him, they said he's their next Jay."

Reincke has been a musician all his life and has performed with other bands in Lake Zurich. This weekend will be the first time, though, as a member of Jay and the Americans.

The gates will open at 6 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. concert. General admission will be $5 per person. There will be no advance ticket sales, Schmidt said, but he added the club will set up a tent large enough to accommodate everyone.

Alpine Fest started in the summer of 1945, partly to celebrate the end of World War II. The newly acquired land in the center of Lake Zurich had been cleared and graded. To establish its purpose as a park, a carnival was planned.

Over the years, the event has grown. Now organizers expect about 9,000 people come to enjoy three days of carnival rides, games, food and entertainment.

Schmidt, a Lions Club member for 33 years, said Alpine Fest has remained popular because "we throw one heck of a party."

Just as every year, the club kicks off the festival's final day with a parade. The parade will kick off at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of Ela Road and Main Street and should reach downtown Lake Zurich by noon. Trophies will be presented to winning parade participants at 3 p.m.

"It's our way of saying thank you to the community for their support," Schmidt said.

Presented by the Lake Zurich Lions Club, the festival will take place Friday through Sunday at Lion Fred Blau Park on Route 22 in Lake Zurich.

If you go

FRIDAY

6 p.m. Park opens, rides begin, beer garden and Alpine Diner open.

6 to 10:30 p.m. Dinner under the lights in the family tent

7:30 to 9 p.m. Jay and the Americans at Big Top's Main Stage

9:30 to 11:30 p.m. Skip Towne and the Greyhounds at Big Top's Main Stage

10:30 p.m. Ticket sales end.

11 p.m. Rides close, beer sales end.

Midnight Park closes.

SATURDAY

1 p.m. Park opens, rides begin, beer garden and Alpine Diner open.

1 to 4:30 p.m. All-you-can-ride special for $15

1 to 4 p.m. 39 and Holding in the Big Top

2 to 3 p.m. Mad Science - Up, Up and Away in family tent

3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Magic Dave in the family tent

4 to 7 p.m. Magic Frank Blues Band on the Big Top's Main Stage

5 to 10:30 p.m. Dinner under the lights in the family tent.

7 to 8 p.m. 39 and Holding in the Big Top

8 to 11:30 p.m. Hot Rocks on Big Top's Main Stage

10:30 p.m. All ticket sales end.

11 p.m. Rides close.

Midnight Park closes.

SUNDAY

10:30 a.m. Park opens. Alpine Diner opens with limited menu.

11:30 a.m. Parade begins at Ela Road and Main Street.

1 p.m. Beer garden opens, and rides begin. Alpine Diner opens with full menu.

1 to 4:30 p.m. All-you-can-ride special for $15.

2 to 3 p.m. Getting excited about science in family tent.

3 p.m. Parade trophies awarded.

3:30 to 6 p.m. Paul Allodi's open mic in the Big Top

5 to 9 p.m. Dinner under the lights in the family tent.

6 to 7 p.m. 39 and Holding in the Big Top

7 to 9 p.m. New Odyssey on the Big Top's Main Stage.

8:30 p.m. All ticket sales end.

9 p.m. Rides close.

9:30 p.m. Park closes.

Funds raised from the event go back into the community. The club serves people in Lake Zurich, Kildeer, Hawthorn Woods and Deer Park.