Wauconda Fest full of music, other fun
With a tag line of "Rock with the Best," one would expect Wauconda Fest to be chock-a-block with music when it begins its run Thursday.
But music won't be the only fun thing at the 31st annual event.
Carnival rides, a car show, a bags tournament, food and an inaugural wine tent and tasting also are on the docket.
Visitors to Thursday's opener will be welcomed with ride specials and the band Sixteen Candles. The popular group, which plays across the Chicago area, will start about 7 p.m.
Wauconda Fest also will debut a wine-tasting event in a tent from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday. Wine for purchase will be available for the first time throughout the festival.
Two bands will be featured Friday night. The Hey Jimmy Band will kick off at 7 p.m., followed by Libido Funk Circus at 9 p.m.
Music fans who are at Cook Park at 7 p.m. Saturday will get to see Chasing Amy, followed by Modern Day Romeos at 9 p.m.
Sunday's music schedule has The Beach Bum Band working the stage at 3 p.m., with Mike and Joe at 7 p.m.
"I would have to say the band lineup is pretty strong," said Wauconda Park District marketing coordinator Jill Hastings.
Carnival ride aficionados will enjoy Saturday's and Sunday's offer. An $18 wristband will buy unlimited rides from noon to 5 p.m.
Hastings said all ages will be encouraged to make their own tie-dye park district T-shirts in a special tent from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. The shirts will cost $5 apiece.
Other highlights include:
•Stilt walker and balloons for children from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday;
•Bags tournament at 3 p.m. Saturday; and
•19th annual car show beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Food will be available from a variety of local vendors.
Hastings said a drawing for a $200 cash prize will be held on each of Wauconda Fest's four days. She said visitors who receive one of the few admission pins different from the pack will be entered in the daily drawing for the $200.
Wauconda Fest is staged annually by at least 150 volunteers. Hastings said about 20,000 patrons passed through Wauconda Fest's gates over four days last year.
<p class="factboxheadblack">Wauconda Fest</p>
<p class="News"><b>When:</b> 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, June 24; 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, June 25; noon to midnight Saturday, June 26; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, June 27</p>
<p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Homer T. Cook Memorial Park at 600 N. Main St., near Bangs Lake. </p>
<p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> $2 admission pin good for all four days. Carnival rides, food, beverages, other activities available for purchase. </p>
<p class="News"><b>More info:</b> <a href="http://waucondaparks.org" target="new">waucondaparks.org</a></p>