News

Itasca gears up for annual fest just days after massive fireworks show

Posted July 07, 2010 11:00 pm

By Sarah Horn

Droves of people toting blankets and bug spray head to their cars. A few remaining plumes of streaky gray smoke loft high into the sky. The band has played its last note and the firecrackers have had their last pop.

It's the end of a party so big you think it couldn't possibly be done twice, let alone again in the same week. But it will.

Just four days after playing host to the largest fireworks display in the state, Itasca will welcome tens of thousands of people back for its 21st annual Itasca Fest, which opens today.

"We probably have the largest kids entertainment of any festival around," said Dan Kompanowski, fest coordinator and member of the Itasca Lions Club. The festival offers magic and juggling shows, exotic animal exhibits, face painting, stilt walking and balloons on Saturday and Sunday, July 10 and 11.

Held at Washington Park, 350 E. Irving Park Road, this year's fest runs today through Sunday, July 8 to 11. Hours are 6 to 11 p.m. today, 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and noon to 11 p.m. Sunday.

The fun actually starts even earlier on Friday and Saturday with the 14th annual youth and adult three-on-three basketball tournaments beginning at 9 a.m.

"The three-on-three tournament is a really nice event," Kompanowski said. "It's neat because the fest doesn't open until 6 p.m., but that whole morning and afternoon (the park) is just loaded with people out there watching the kids."

Of course, there will be all the carnival rides and cotton candy a kid can want. Head over to the library, village hall or park district buildings by noon today to purchase unlimited ride passes for $13. After that, they'll be $17 at the event. Passes can be used 6 to 10:30 p.m. today and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Fourteen food vendors will offer everything from shrimp kebabs to potato pancakes.

And if you're looking for some rest and relaxation instead of ringing bells and flashing lights, head over to the Happy Acres pond on Bryn Mawr Avenue, where a fishing contest is going on - it started June 26 and runs through noon Sunday.

"It was just a crazy brainstorm," Kompanowski said. "We started it as a kickoff for the fest to get people motivated and it's gone on ever since. People come out there and actually bring campers, and some people spend a week out there. Dads bring kids out there and fish - it's just a fun event."

Kompanowski recently released 100 tagged catfish into the pond for the contest. The tags can be traded for tickets for a raffle at 1 p.m. Sunday on the main stage, for which Kompanowski has reeled in $2,000 worth of prizes to give away - including bicycles, a television, camping equipment and sporting goods.

Even though acts such as The Mamas and The Papas, Kansas and Koko Taylor have graced the stage at Itasca Fest over the years, Kompanowski has had to go with tribute bands lately because of the economy.

"We used to have bands that were costing us $20,000 to $30,000," Kompanowski said. "It gets to a point where you just can't justify it."

Still, look forward to the tunes of Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin and The Beatles being played throughout the weekend.

Depending on the weather, Kompanowski expects anywhere between 20,000 and 40,000 people to come out

For details, visit itasca.com.

Itasca Fest ScheduleThe four-day festival presented by the Itasca Lions Club runs 6 to 11 p.m. today, 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and noon to 11 p.m. Sunday at Washington Park, 350 E. Irving Park Road. Unlimited carnival ride tickets are $13 until noon today at the library, village hall and park district buildings and $17 at the fest; good from 6 to 10:30 p.m. today and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Info: itasca.com.THURSDAY6-11 p.m. Family Day6-9 p.m. U.S. Army exhibit, Bloomingdale Road6-10:30 p.m. Indoor cash bingo6-10:30 p.m. Carnival special7-10:30 p.m. Petty Cash, Tom Petty-Johnny Cash tribute bandFRIDAY9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Youth three-on-three basketball tournament6-9 p.m. U.S. Army exhibit, Bloomingdale Road6-11 p.m. Indoor cash bingo6 p.m. to midnight Carnival rides and games7-9 p.m. Down Pour, AC/DC tribute band10 p.m. to midnight Kashmir, Led Zeppelin tribute bandSATURDAY8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Antique flea market, Usher Park9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult three-on-three basketball tournament Noon-5 p.m. Lester's Learn 'n' Play children's activitiesNoon-8 p.m. U.S. Army exhibit, Bloomingdale Road1-5 p.m. Carnival special1-11 p.m. Indoor cash bingo2-5 p.m. DJ Terry Salat2-6 p.m. Kids entertainment, pony rides and petting zoo6-9:30 p.m. Kimmy Hayes, original rock and soul10:30 p.m. to midnight Mike and Joe, alternative rockSUNDAYNoon-5 p.m. Lester's Learn 'n' Play children's activities1 p.m. Happy Acres fishing derby awards on the main stage1-4 p.m. Itasca health fair, park district gym1-5 p.m. Carnival special1-9 p.m. Indoor cash bingo2-5 p.m. DJ Terry Salat2-6 p.m. Classic car show, Bloomingdale Road near Usher Park2-6 p.m. Kids entertainment, pony rides and petting zoo6-8 p.m. The Meteors, '50s and '60s rock 8:30-10:30 p.m. American English, Beatles tributeTrue1180816Itasca Fest aims to keep kids' spirits high with fun and activities just for them.Daily Herald file photoTrue If you goWhat: Itasca FestWhen: Today through Sunday, July 8 to 11Where: Washington Park, 350 E. Irving Park Road, ItascaCost: FreeInfo: <a href="http://itasca.com" target="new">itasca.com</a>

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