Frontier Days 2009: Still going strong

Other Northwest suburban festivals have downsized as a result of the worsening economy, but one summer tradition returns this year as strong as ever: Frontier Days in Arlington Heights.

"We're thrilled to be able to bring every aspect of it back," said co-chairman Jeani Cunningham. "Nothing has changed. We still have five jam-packed days of free entertainment, building toward our main stage entertainment at night.

"It's the same Frontier Days we've always had," she added.

Frontier Days runs July 1-5 at Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner St. Admission is free.

Beyond the bands headlining the main stage, committee members point to the old fashioned family activities scheduled each day that draw large crowds.

From the Baggo tournament introduced last year, which returns at 4 p.m. Friday, face painting for children, to the pet parade at 10 a.m. on Sunday, hundreds of families turn out, organizers say.

The carnival rides return all five days of the fest, as well as the Marketplace craft show on Saturday and Sunday, the 3 on 3 soccer tournament on Friday and Sunday, the July Fourth parade on Saturday, and the Stampede Run on Sunday.

A day set aside for citizens with disabilities returns, starting at 10 a.m. Friday with carnival rides, before a free lunch is provided and afternoon entertainment.

Knowing how popular these activities are, committee members hesitate to change much. However, they are adding some new elements this year, in terms of food and drink choices.

Along with traditional festival fare, as well as the Taste of Arlington each night, a booth offering healthier food choices and lighter fare, including children's box lunches, will make its debut.

Four Arlington Heights vendors are combining on it: Fausto's, Mindful Meals, Trader Joe's and Urban Harvest. Selections might include a green salad, pasta primavera with crunchy vegetables, and an oatmeal cookie.

A new booth offering wine will spring up inside the international beer garden. It will feature a different Arlington Heights vintner each night from Grand Cru, Tuscan Market, Vintages and WineStyles.

Each one will offer three different varieties by the glass, as well as premium wines.

Cunningham and her co-chairman, David Wiltse, credited their many sponsors with continuing to financially support the festival. She also credited the village of Arlington Heights and the Arlington Heights Park District.

She also pointed with pride to careful budgeting by members of their nonprofit, self-sustaining organization known as Frontier Days, Inc., making it possible to bring back the annual celebration despite the economic downturn.

"Proceeds from the food and alcohol, as well as a portion of the carnival ticket, allow us to bring back all the fun activities the next year," Cunningham said, "including the three stages of free entertainment."

Any surplus funds, however, the board contributes back to the community, in donations to many nonprofit groups.

The Arlington Heights festival dates back to 1975, when village leaders looked for ways to celebrate the nation's Bicentennial. After mounting a successful first time event, committee members stayed together and began building a community tradition.

This is the 34th year for the festival, and its volunteer board includes some second and third generation members, who grew up watching their parents volunteer, and now are taking their turn.

Wiltse is one of them. His parents, Roland and Georgie, were among the original "red shirt" volunteers. Wiltse himself worked at the festival for 19 years before joining the board. Now, his nieces and nephews don the shirts and pitch in.

"Frontier Days has become so successful, that people look forward to it every summer, and plan their vacations around it," Wiltse said.

"I saw just how popular it is when I walked the parade route on Memorial Day. People got up off the curb and walked around people, just to get one of our pamphlets.

"I've been involved with other organizations," Wiltse added, "and I've never seen that kind of excitement."

For those residents looking to get involved with Frontier Days, Cunningham and Wiltse urge them to consider becoming a volunteer and reaping the benefits of giving back to the community.

For more information, visit www.frontierdays.org.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=302491">Frontier Days 2009 schedule<span class="date"> [6/24/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=302499">Frontier Days Stampede 5K and 10K races are back<span class="date"> [6/24/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=302497">Get your blankets ready for Frontier Days music<span class="date"> [6/24/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>