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More mud, different Monkee highlight W. Chicago Railroad Days

Posted July 08, 2009 11:00 pm

Jake Griffin

Davy Jones is the feature act Friday during the West Chicago Railroad Days celebration in Reed-Keppler Park. Daily Herald file photo

Organizers of West Chicago's Railroad Days celebration are looking for the crowd to provide some of the entertainment this year.

Sunday's Live Band Karaoke will allow golden-throated festivalgoers a chance to entertain their comrades and possibly win $500.

"It's a full band with backup singers and everything," said Dave Sabathne, director of the West Chicago Chamber of Commerce and Railroad Days organizer. "The band has a 200-song repertoire, so there's plenty to choose from."

Anyone can sign up the day of the event to try and win the prize, Sabathne said. Judges will determine the top two performers who will compete in the finals later that afternoon. Those two will compete against the winners of two recent karaoke contests at two West Chicago establishments, Fontana Blu Bar & Grill and Hawthorne's Backyard Bar & Grill.

Live Band Karaoke begins at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, immediately following the conclusion of the Railroad Days Parade that steps off at 1 p.m.

Railroad Days, complete with free admission, begins today at 4 p.m. with a carnival and other attractions at Reed-Keppler Park at National Street and Arbor Avenue, just northwest of downtown West Chicago. It runs through Sunday. The carnival opens at 5 p.m. today and Friday, noon on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Opening day entertainment features a variety of talent from the area, but on Friday Davy Jones, who gained fame as a member of the Monkees, is headlining the main stage. Last year, fellow Monkee Micky Dolenz was one of the festival's headliners.

Saturday, the Ides of March will headline the entertainment lineup with a performance at 8 p.m. Fireworks follow the group's performance, but more music is planned after the fireworks show.

The ever-popular mud volleyball tournament runs both Saturday and Sunday mornings. The tournament is sponsored by the West Chicago Park District and features a new youth division this year, Sabathne said.

The youth division is for teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17. Winners are crowned each day from the more than two dozen teams that compete each day.

"I think having the event follow the Fourth of July weekend works out really well for us," he said. "We've got a free fireworks show that you don't have to fight through big crowds to see, so this is a good alternative."

Organizers have also added free shuttles that run continuously from the Metra stop near city hall downtown to and from the park.

The thrill of carnival rides are just one of the attractions expected to draw families to West Chicago's Railroad Days festival that runs today through Sunday. Ed Lee | 2006

The West Chicago Railroad Days Mud Volleyball tournament returns for two mornings of sloppy and dirty setting and spiking at Reed-Keppler Park, just northwest of downtown. Marcelle Bright | 2002

West Chicago Railroad Days Festival opens today and runs through Sunday at Reed-Keppler Park, National Street and Arbor Avenue. Hours: 4:30-10 p.m. today, 4:30-11 p.m. Friday, Noon to midnight Saturday and 2:30-11 p.m. Sunday. Cost: Free. Info: <a href="http://www.westchicagochamber.com" target="new">www.westchicagochamber.com</a> TODAY 4:30-10 p.m. Festival open 4 p.m. Paul Abella Trio 5-10 p.m. Carnival 5-10 p.m. Beer garden 5:15 p.m. Merplay 7 p.m. Brian Allison Band 8:30 p.m. Echoson FRIDAY 4:30-11 p.m. Festival open 4:45 p.m. Pocket Biscuit 5-11 p.m. Carnival 5-11 p.m. Beer garden 6-9 p.m. Art Fiesta 6 p.m. The Renditions 7:35 p.m. Karen Hart Band 9 p.m. Davy Jones SATURDAY 7:30 a.m. Railroad Days 5K Run/Walk 9 a.m. Mud volleyball Noon-midnight Festival open Noon-midnight Carnival Noon-9 p.m. Art Fiesta 12:30-2 p.m. Children's Storytime 2 p.m. Sixth Position Dance 3:30 p.m. Pearl Road 4 p.m. to midnight Beer garden 5 p.m. Voyage 6:45 p.m. Grove Ethics 8 p.m. Ides of March Dusk: Fireworks 10 p.m. Business Casual 10:30 p.m. Down/Pour SUNDAY 9 a.m. Mud volleyball 1 p.m. "If I Could Dream..." themed parade 2:30-10 p.m. Festival open 2:30 p.m. Live Band Karaoke 3-10 p.m. Carnival 3-6 p.m. Art Fiesta 3-10 p.m. Beer garden 4:45 p.m. Bagshot Row 6 p.m. Grand Ave. Big Band 8:30 p.m. Band-A-Rika

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