Gurnee talent show reset at Viking Park for Sunday
Postponed because of inclement weather nearly three weeks ago, Gurnee Days organizers plan to stage the event's talent show on Sunday.
Gurnee Days ran from Aug. 14 to 16, with most of the activity occurring in Viking Park on Old Grand Avenue. The talent show, open for Gurnee-area children 6 to 14 years old, typically takes place on the festival's final day at Viking Park's band shell.
Because most participants couldn't get on stage Aug. 16, the children will receive a second chance at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, at the band shell. Children who were originally registered to participate - including those who made it on stage - will get to perform Sunday.
More than 30 acts were expected to participate in the talent show from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 16 when bad weather struck and a lightning warning sounded just 30 minutes into the event. Gurnee Days President Bill Froese said a mandatory evacuation forced everyone into Viking Park's dance hall.
Froese said an all-clear alert still had not been issued after an hour delay, so a decision was made to postpone the talent show. He said it was unfair to make a majority of the acts wait any longer without knowing if they'd be allowed to take the stage.
Gurnee Days talent show chair Hanna Blockinger said while disappointing, the organizers had to err on the side of caution by postponing the event to Sunday. There is no admission charge for the show.
"Knowing the many hours these children had spent preparing for the show, we wanted to find a way for them to showcase their talents to the community," Blockinger said. "I'm glad we've been able to make this happen."
Viking Park will be buzzing with activity Sunday. Before the talent show, the Gurnee Breakfast Exchange Club will sponsor a 9/11 community remembrance ceremony from 1 to 2:30 p.m., with Mayor Kristina Kovarik as guest speaker.
Part of the ceremony will include presentations to Gurnee's 2008 fire employee and police officer of the year and an honoring of fallen Lake County military personnel. Performances are scheduled by Woodland Elementary District 50's jazz band, Gurnee Elementary District 56's Spaulding School second-grade singers and the Zion Fire Department bagpipers.
<p class="factboxheadblack">Gurnee Days talent show</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> The band shell at Viking Park, on Old Grand Avenue in Gurnee</p> <p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> Free</p>