Gurnee Days festival not just for kids this year
Check out all the activities Gurnee has to offer, ranging from music and amusement rides to eating contests and open houses, at Gurnee Days this weekend.
Most activities will take place at Viking Park on O'Plaine Road and Old Grand Avenue.
"It's not just for kids," said Michelle Fairbanks, president of the Gurnee Days Corp., a nonprofit organization that organizes the festival. "We have entertainment. We have the car show. Every year, we come up with something new. That keeps it fun."
The event will kick off as Robert and George Anne Depke are recognized at the testimonial dinner Thursday at the Midlane Country Club.
"For 38 years, Gurnee Days always honors an individual or couple who has given selfless service to the community. They are most deserving of this honor," said Elizabeth Ebert, who organizes the dinner. "They do so much for Gurnee, Lake County and Illinois."
Bob Depke has made many contributions as Warren Township supervisor from 1961 to 1997. He also has served on the Lake County Board and has been a member of the Gurnee Exchange Club and the Lions Club, where he has 56 years of perfect attendance.
George Anne Depke worked on many county, state and national elections as a committeewoman and volunteer. She also has volunteered at Woodland School, for Warren Township High School band and stage shows, and for the Lions and Gurnee Exchange clubs. For years, she worked as choreographer and chaperon for the Miss Lake County Fair queen. She also directed the first Miss Teenage America Pageant at Warren Township High School.
Married since 1968, the Depkes reside in Victorian Village in Gurnee with much of their family - including 14 grandchildren - nearby.
On Friday, come listen to 10 talented Gurnee teens sing to earn the title of Gurnee Idol at 7 p.m. Competitors will be Annie Andersen, Meghan Baynes, Carsten Colburn, Nayyirah El-Amin, Laura Kuliesiute, Ariana Moore, Jennifer Oughton, Christina Parmar, Kelsey Roehrich and Sneha Shrivastar.
Prizes will be awarded to the Gurnee Idol, runner up and an interactive pick audience favorite. After Gurnee Idol, listen to more live music provided by teen group Unsung Nation.
In addition to trying out the amusement rides and games, which run through Sunday, come see the canine disc championship and the Movie in the Park Friday night.
Saturday will kick off with sports including the golf tournament followed by the 10K race and 2-mile fun run and walk. If eating is more your sport, try the rib-eating contest or ice cream-eating contest. The day will conclude with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
A new addition will be a pancake breakfast hosted by the Fraternal Order of Police at 7 a.m. Sunday. The breakfast will be followed at 8 a.m. by the Scoop the Loop car show, a Young Artists show and the parade at noon. The festival will end with the talent show at 2 p.m.
Schedule of events THURSDAY10 a.m. to noon: Bike rodeo7 p.m.: Testimonial dinner at Midlane Country Club7 to 8:30 p.m.: Sounds of Summer concert8 to 9:45 p.m.: Teen pool party at Hunt Club Park Aquatic CenterFRIDAY8 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Farmers market at Esper Petersen Park10 a.m. to noon: Bike rodeo at Gurnee Fire Station 110 a.m.: Storytime extravaganza5 to 10:30 p.m.: Amusement rides6 p.m.: Canine disc championship7 to 10 p.m.: Gurnee Idol and teen band in Viking Park band shell8:30 to 11 p.m.: Movie in the ParkSATURDAY7 and 9:45 a.m.: Golf tournament at HeatherRidge Golf Course, 5900 Manchester Drive7:30 a.m.: 10K race and 2-mile fun run and walk at Warren Township High School O'Plaine Campus, 500 N. O'Plaine Road.8 a.m. to 3 p.m.: 3-vs.-3 soccer tournament10 a.m. to noon: Fire department open house on Old Grand Avenue10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Young artists show at Viking Middle School, 4460 Old Grand Ave., and Warren-Newport Public Library, 224 N. O'Plaine Road10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Mother Rudd open house11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Police department open house on O'Plaine Road11 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Exhibits and games11 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Food booths11 a.m.: Baby contest at Viking Park band shell11 a.m. to 11 p.m.: Rib festNoon to 8 p.m.: Bingo Noon to 4 p.m.: Stage events1 to 11 p.m.: Amusement rides3 p.m.: Rib-eating contest4:30 p.m.: Ice cream-eating contest5 to 11 p.m.: Entertainment9:30 p.m.: FireworksSUNDAY7 to 11 a.m.: Pancake breakfast 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Scoop the Loop car show10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Young artists show at Viking Middle School, 4460 Old Grand Ave.11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Exhibits, food and gamesNoon: Parade starting at Old Grand Avenue1 to 5 p.m.: Amusement rides1 to 5 p.m.: Bingo1 to 4 p.m.: Mother Rudd open house1 to 4 p.m.: Children's pony rides and petting zoo1 to 2 p.m.: Stage events2 to 4 p.m.: Talent showTrue20001905Musical acts are again part of Gurnee Days this year. The event will take place this weekend in Viking Park.George LeClaire | Staff PhotographerTrue <div class="infoBox"><h1>More Coverage</h1><div class="infoBoxContent"><div class="infoArea"><h2>Stories</h2><ul class="links"><li><a href="/story/?id=399463">Ribfest returns as Gurnee Days tradition<span class="date">[08/11/10]</span></a></li></ul></div></div></div><p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p><p class="News"><b>What:</b> Gurnee Days</p><p class="News"><b>When:</b> Thursday, Aug. 12, to Sunday, Aug. 15</p><p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Most activities will take place at Viking Park on O'Plaine Road and Old Grand Avenue</p><p class="News"><b>More info:</b> <a href="http://gurnee.il.us/gurnee_days" target="new">gurnee.il.us/gurnee_days</a></p>