Old-fashioned Depot Days coming to Lisle

Sure, there are plenty of summer festivals with cover bands, carnival rides and grilled food.

But Depot Days in Lisle offers a celebration with a more "unique" style, said Mike Toohey, superintendent of recreation for the Lisle Park District.

"It's really not like anything else," he said. "Here you have the museum with the old cars, people baking pies in the summer kitchen and people walking around in period clothing. It is such a cool setting."

For 26 years, hundreds of visitors have headed to Depot Days, which celebrates early 20th century traditions with events like blacksmithing and glassblowing demonstrations, hayrides and period children's games. Depot Days runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 18 and 19, at the Museums at Lisle Station Park, 921 School St.

Sponsored by the Lisle Heritage Society, the Lisle Park District, and Lisle Public Library, it attracts hundreds of visitors to the Museums at Lisle Station Park.

New exhibits this year will include the newly opened 1881 Chicago, Burlington and Quincy caboose, a craft fair, a photo display of Lisle World War II veterans, and high-wheel bike riding demonstrations.

Other new events will be a little more modern, including a bags tournament and a petting zoo.

Music is also a tradition at Depot Days. This year, Wisconsin artist Larry Penn will perform railroad songs Saturday, while former National Fingerpicking Champion Eric Lugosch will play acoustic guitar on Sunday.

Toohey said Depot Days organizers are excited about the new offerings and hope the fest continues for decades to come.

"It's truly is just such a unique event," said Toohey.

Lisle Depot DaysThe festival runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 18 and 19, at the Museums at Lisle Station Park, 921 School St., Lisle. Includes food, games, demonstrations, hayrides and petting zoo. Admission and parking are free. Info: (630) 968-0499 or lisleparkdistrict.org.SATURDAY11 a.m. Grounds, exhibits and buildings open11a.m. to 5 p.m. Hayrides, petting zoo, train exhibit, fraft faire, used book sale, historic building tours12:30 p.m. Seed spitting contest1 p.m. Historic buildings walking tour, Plank Road dedication, driving of the Golden Spike1:30p.m. Pie eating contest1-3 p.m. Music by Eric Lambert, Old Town School of Folk Music2:30 p.m. Lisle Pioneer Cemetery walking tourSUNDAY11 a.m. Grounds, exhibits and buildings open11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hayrides, petting zoo, train exhibit, craft faire, used book sale, historic building tours1-3 p.m. Music by Eric Lugosch, Old Town School of Folk2:30 p.m. Lisle Pioneer Cemetery walking tour