Northwest suburban briefs

Fiesta coming to Lake Opeka

The 12th annual Festival! celebrating Mexican Independence Day will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, at Lake Park Memorial Pavilion, Lee Street, between Touhy and Howard avenues. The event, sponsored by the Des Plaines Park District and The Mexican Civic Society of Illinois, runs 1-6 p.m. with free entertainment and authentic Mexican music by Banda Tierra Nueva and Grupo Nueva Generacion. Ballet Sol Azteca and Ballet Folklorico Raices Mexicanas will also perform traditional Mexican dances. face painting, arts and crafts and children's games are 1:30-5:30 p.m. Other sponsors are the Illinois Arts Council, Bank of America, Brooke Auto Insurance, Reflejos Bilingual Journal, and Terra Nova Realty Group. (847) 391-5700; desplainesparks.org.

Food drive seeks support

Imagine opening your refrigerator and not having any food for your children or yourself. Imagine being told that your local food bank has run low on supplies. The Northwest Suburban United Way, area food pantries, local governments and area businesses are teaming up for "Live United" week, Sept. 21-29. They're seeking companies, groups and schools to run food drives. For information, go to fooddrivenwsuw.weebly.com or call Northwest Suburban United Way at (847) 768-1074.

Music throwdown coming

Attention local musicians: It's time to suit up and put on your rock star face. The battle between bands is coming 5-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the Hanover Park Park District Community Center Gym, 1919 Walnut Ave. Each band will play a six-song set. While bands are transitioning between sets, a panel of judges will score performers based on stage presence, musical variety, song difficulty and several other categories. Teens ages 12 and up are welcomed. The fee to enter the throwdown is $5. The winning band will receive a cash prize. Call (630) 837-2468 to sign up. For more information, go to hpparks.org.