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Des Plaines' Fall Fest 2010 offers events to suit every taste

Posted September 16, 2010 11:00 pm

With even more offerings than in its debut year, Fall Fest 2010, a family-friendly festival and marketplace, returns for its second year Friday through Sunday, Sept. 17-19, at Lake Park, on Lee Street between Touhy and Howard avenues in Des Plaines.

"Everyone is invited to Fall Fest to play, party, eat and enjoy the weekend," said Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce Director Barbara Ryan.

The fest, which offers free music and entertainment, a full carnival with adult midway and kiddie rides, games and food booths, a KidZone! with crafts, games, pony rides and activities for children 2-10, adult baggo tournaments, food, a car show, an open-air marketplace, a fishing derby and a Country Fair Tent, runs from 6 to 11 p.m. today, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. The fest is hosted by the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce, the Des Plaines History Center and the Des Plaines Park District.

Modern Day Romeos kicks off the free music lineup at 6:30 p.m. today.

"The explosive band will play favorites from all genres, with plenty of crowd interaction," said Gayle Mountcastle, Superintendent of Recreation for the Des Plaines Park District. "We wanted to start off the weekend with a group that would create a hands-in-the-air party atmosphere. They are followed by ARRA, the classic rock cover band, playing hits from Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Boston and Foreigner."

The entertainment continues at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, when the Des Plaines School of Dance performs. At 2 p.m., School of Rock takes the stage, covering rock from the '70s and '80s. Chicago Tribute Anthology, a seven-piece horn band that plays hits by Chicago, takes the stage at 4 p.m. At 6:30, 7th Heaven will play pop and rock favorites.

"We are excited to showcase 7th Heaven at the Fest," Mountcastle said. "They have recently played the Schaumburg Festival and have quite a following."

Wedding Banned takes the stage at 9 p.m. with their high-energy, anything-goes covers of rock and pop hits.

"You can't help but get up and dance when you hear Wedding Banned," Mountcastle said.

At noon Sunday, Mad Bread, a modern-day string band, takes center stage, playing a mix of bluegrass, rock, blues and folk music. The Larkin & Moran Brothers will perform modern Irish folk music at 2 p.m., and Local Favorite Band, a six-piece Nashville-style bar band, will close out the fest at 4:30 p.m.

For car aficionados, Chicagoland Classic Car Club will host a custom car show open to classic, antique, American muscle and hot rods from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Same-day registration for trophy competition begins at 10 a.m. There's a $20 registration fee, but admission is free to the public.

"The free entertainment is not the only draw to Fall Fest 2010," Ryan said. "What festival would be complete without food?"

Festgoers can sample pizza, Italian beef sandwiches, tacos, hamburgers, ice cream, brats and traditional fest foods. The popular "Cops Cooking Corn" booth will also be back this year, with Des Plaines police officers roasting ears of corn.

"A major attraction will be our open-air marketplace," Ryan said. "We invite everyone to browse through the many booths that feature handmade craft items, jewelry, clothing, toys and home decor" and more.

Especially for kids ages 2 through 10, the KidZone! area offers more than a dozen games and activities including pony rides, a hay maze, face painting, and fall arts and crafts projects. KidZone! is open from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Kids can also fish for carp and crappie in the Friends of the Park Lake Opeka Fishing Derby from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. Prizes will be awarded in two age categories for the most fish caught and the largest fish caught. Fishing poles and bait will be provided.

From noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the Des Plaines History Center Country Fair Tent will have costumed interpreters demonstrating crafts and trades. Also, they will hold a pie-throwing contest at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Saturday and a pie-eating contest from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday. On Saturday Wagner Farms will present "History Hits the Road," a presentation featuring live farm animals including a cow and chickens. On Sunday, the 18th Century French Voyagers will work on a replica of an authentic birch canoe and talk about life, trading and exploring along the local waterways.

"The tent will be open during all hours of the festival with exhibits highlighting the city's 175th anniversary and handmade crafts for sale," said History Center Executive Director Joy Matthiessen.

"Family fun is the theme of Fall Fest," Mountcastle said. For those who just come for the rides, the "expanded carnival is just the thing."

A complete schedule of events is available at fallfestdesplaines.com. For details, call (847) 391-5700.

Classic rock cover band ARRA plays hits from Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Boston and Foreigner at 9 p.m. at Fall Fest 2010 in Des Plaines.

Fall Fest 2010 Schedule of Events

Friday, Sept. 17

6 to 11 p.m.: Carnival rides, games, booths, food, wine and beer garden, open-air market (closes at 10 p.m.)

6:30 p.m.: Modern Day Romeos

7 p.m.: Adult baggo tournament (day-of registration from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.)

9 p.m.: ARRA

Saturday, Sept. 18

9 to 11 a.m.: Second Annual Tour de Des Plaines. Join Mayor Moylan on a 12.5-mile bike ride starting at the Lake Park Clubhouse.

Noon to 11 p.m.: Carnival rides, games, booths, food, wine and beer garden, open-air market (closes at 10 p.m.), Country Fair Tent (farm animals from noon to 5 p.m. and pie throwing at 1, 2 and 3 p.m.)

12:30 p.m.: School of Dance performs

Noon to 3 p.m.: Friends of the Park Lake Opeka Fishing Derby

Noon to 4 p.m.: Car show

Noon to 6 p.m.: Kidzone! (animal show at 1 p.m.)

2 p.m.: School of Rock

4 p.m.: Chicago Tribute Anthology

6:30 p.m.: 7th Heaven

7 p.m.: Adult baggo tournament (day-of registration from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.)

9 p.m.: Wedding Banned

Sunday, Sept. 19

Noon to 6 p.m.: Carnival rides, games, booths, food, wine and beer garden, open-air market, Kidzone!, Country Fair Tent (pie-eating contest from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.)

Noon: Mad Bread

2 p.m.: The Larkin and Moran Brothers

4:30 p.m.: Local Favorite Band

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