Carpentersville music fest mediocre at best

It was a valiant attempt, but for some reason, the response to the inaugural Old Town Carpentersville Music Festival was mediocre at best.

When I stopped by the festival held Saturday, Aug. 29 and Sunday, Aug. 30 in Carpenter Park, there were only a few dozen people in the park. Most of those were volunteers, musicians or vendors.

I was disappointed to see the low turnout given the amount of effort and coordination that went into planning a two-day event with dozens of live bands, food, beer and entertainment for children.

I was most disappointed considering the event was free. Of course you had to pay for beer and food, but the performers on stage played for the love of the music, all playing pro bono.

Why were the numbers so dismal?

The weather was a little on the chilly side, but by Saturday afternoon, the skies were clearing and the sun shining. The day would have been perfect to spread out on a picnic blanket with food from a variety of local restaurants, a cold one and live music.

Perhaps a lack of advertising hurt the event's chances to succeed. I heard the village did not allow any signage. How can an event gain interest if people have no idea it's even going on?

If you drive down Route 72 through West Dundee, you will see signs and posters for Heritage Fest, the village's annual event scheduled this year for Sept. 18, 19 and 20. There will likely be thousands of people on hand to enjoy the parade, Baggo tournament, car show and arts and crafts expo. Sure, the festival has been around for years, but even it had to start somewhere. I am sure advertising was allowed.

I understand that this was not a village-sanctioned event and Carpentersville does not want its parkways clogged with signs for garage sales, yard sales and car washes, but some events are worth supporting.

All the folks at Sargon Production, a local Carpentersville company, wanted to do was bring the community together for a fun, free and festive musical weekend.

But instead, only a handful of people turned up for the party.

Which is too bad. We could all use some free entertainment these days.

Larissa Chinwah covers East and West Dundee and Carpentersville. E-mail her at lchinwah@dailyherald.com.