Elgin builds on FoxFireFest success
Elgin area leaders hope to build on the momentum from last year during this weekend's second-annual FoxFireFest.
"Last year, I heard nothing put positive comments about FoxFireFest. We drew a lot of out-of-towners, but most were Elginites," said Mayor Ed Schock. "It was a big success. We want this year to build off that success."
The inaugural FoxFireFest drew an estimated 14,000 people to Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave.
But the event was hampered by rain one day and high humidity the next.
Organizers hope to top that attendance number this time around.
They have lined up bigger and better entertainment, plan to close part of Grove Avenue so people have more room to roam, and lengthened the fire and light show over the Fox River.
Blues Traveler, Starship, Sister Hazel and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra are just four of numerous performers.
Also new this year is Teen Area from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. It will feature a climbing wall, bags tournament and Guitar Hero contest for a $1,000 guitar.
Elgin officials want FoxFireFest to become the city's "signature event," and they've budgeted $275,000 to make that happen.
The first event was to showcase the new $11.5 million festival park and introduce or reintroduce people to the downtown area.
"Our goal is to bring as many people down here as possible," said Barb Keselica, the city's special events coordinator.
Officials have signed up 14 food vendors, many of them local businesses.
But sights, sounds and salivating are only one part of the three-day event.
The Elgin branch of the American Association of University Women will host its annual Elgin Art showcase from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
About 60 people will exhibit in this juried show. Now entering its 49th year, it is one of the longest running art shows in the suburbs.
Rachel Campbell, an AAUW organizer, said artists who specialize in a variety of media ranging from watercolors to pottery will be on hand.
Unlike other AAUW events, the show is not a fundraiser.
"When it started out, it was a way to bring art into the community," she said.
Marv Causey, an award-winning photographer and Elgin resident since 1958, has participated in the showcase for the last nine years.
He said it's really hit or miss on how many pieces of historic Elgin buildings and travel photos he sells each year.
The showcase has been held in several locations over the years, with last year the first at Festival Park. Causey prefers when the show was held outside the Hemmens Cultural Arts Center, but noted Festival Park draws more people.
"I look forward to it every year. This is the only show I do," he said. "It's fun talking to customers and people who appreciate art. I especially enjoy it when I can sell it to other people and know they'll enjoy the picture as well."
Elgin's FoxFireFest
When: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; noon to 11 p.m, Saturday; and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave., Elgin
Info: Call (847) 931-6625 or visit www.cityofelgin.org
Fest highlights
Friday
7:30 p.m. Elgin Symphony Orchestra concert
9:30 p.m. Pyrotechnic riverfront show
Saturday
Noon to 6 p.m. American Association of University Women Art Showcase
2 p.m. American Idol winner Leslie Hunt
2:30 p.m. Elgin Idol semi-finals
4 p.m. Thomas Ian Nicholas performance on side stage
6 p.m. Starship performance on side stage
8 p.m. Blues Traveler performance on main stage
Sunday
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Elgin Cycling Classic at Lords Park, 100 Oakwood Boulevard
Noon to 5 p.m. AAUW Art Showcase
3:30 p.m. Elevation performance
5:30 p.m. Sister Hazel performance
Noon to 4 p.m. Children's activities