Coon Creek Country Days back from the brink
Just a few months ago, it looked like the ever-popular Hampshire Coon Creek Country Days Festival would fall victim to the unforgiving economy that has crushed festivals across the area in the past year or so.
But supporters banded together to make sure HCCD would see the light of day this summer.
Now, we are just days away from the festival's kickoff. Hampshire Coon Creek Country Days will go from July 29 to August 1 in Bruce Ream Park. Festival staples like carnival rides, live music, fest foods and vendors will ensure that there's really something for everyone this weekend.
In addition to the usual fest fanfare, there will be the annual Coon Creek 10K or 2K race for those who want to get a workout in before feasting on the fair foods from pizza to ice cream. Both races are on Sunday, with 10K runners taking off at 8 a.m. and 2K runners leaving the starting area about five minutes later.
The course starts and finishes at Hampshire Middle School. There are some decades-old records for the 2K and 10K distances. The fastest man to run the 2K race was Jon Pollack in 6 minutes and 14 seconds in 2000. On the women's side, Ann Stahl won the 1998 race in 7 minutes and 28 seconds. Over 10 kilometers, Doug Jones won in 1990 in 32:00.1 while, the next year, Gloria Kuiken set the women's 10K record in 37:32.8.
Runners can also receive accolades for breaking Hampshire resident records that have also stood for more than a decade.
In 1999, Chris Pojorski won the men's 2K in 6 minutes, 22 seconds, while Hilary Bahe won in 8 minutes, 41 seconds in 1993. The 10K records are 35:46 set by Eric Bahe in 1989 and 44:52 set by Linda Stoxen in 1992.
Those interested in participating can register with the Hampshire Township Park District at hampshireparkdistrict.org. Additional fees apply to register online, but it's getting pretty close to the deadline for mailing in registration forms. All mailed-in forms must be received by Friday, July 30.
Entry fees cost $15 for residents and $18 for nonresidents. Members of the Chicago Area Runners Association receive a $3 discount. Late registration, or race day registration, is $25. Registration will be open on Sunday from 7 to 7:45 a.m. at Hampshire Middle School, 560 S. State Street. No registrations will be accepted after 7:45 a.m.