Kermes Festival comes to Round Lake Beach Cultural Civic center

Organizers of the annual Kermes Festival predict its move this year to the new Cultural Civic Center in Round Lake Beach is sure to attract more people than ever before.

The 5th annual community festival is scheduled for 1 to 8 p.m. Sept. 7. at the Cultural and Civic Center.

The Kermes Festival is a tradition in many Latin American countries where families come together for games, music, raffles and more, said Carolina Dugue, executive director of the Mano a Mano Family Resource Center.

Dugue said the annual festival brings the flavor and tradition of the event to Lake County, and has truly become a community favorite.

"The community support for the Kermes has been fantastic, with high attendance each year," she said.

Dugue said the cultural center on Hook Drive is larger than past locations, and therefore, more people can attend.

The event will feature food and refreshments, the U.S. Army climbing wall, and other interactive games, Dugue said. The key to the event, she said, is keeping the cost free, making it appealing to more families.

"We work very hard to make the Kermes affordable for everyone," she said. "The event is inclusive and people from all over Lake County are welcome to participate."

Mano a Mano was created to empower Lake County immigrants to become full participants in American life through programs and services that educate and create essential community resource links, officials said.

The not-for-profit organization is supported by donations from individuals, foundations and corporations. The festival itself helps raise funds to sustain programs for Mano a Mano, including English as a Second language classes, GED classes, computer instruction, the employment connection program and heath education programs.