Northwest suburban festivals celebrate communities
With Memorial Day approaching, thoughts turn to summer, and that means one thing in the Northwest suburbs: family festivals. Here are some highlights.
Streamwood Memorial Day observance
When: May 29
Where: Streamwood Veteran’s Memorial at Village Hall
Info: streamwood.org/Community/CommunityEvents.asp
This will be the 20th anniversary of the unveiling of Veteran’s Memorial Park in Streamwood, and it bears out an age-old adage: If you build it, they will come.
Since building the striking memorial on Irving Park Road, Streamwood’s Memorial Day observances are among the largest in the Northwest suburbs.
This year’s milestone observance takes place at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 29, and will feature patriotic music by the Spring Valley Concert Band and speakers from the original Veterans’ Commission who worked to build the memorial. Also set to appear are canine handlers and their dogs from police departments across the suburbs, in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the War Dog Memorial.
The observance actually begins the night before at 8 p.m. with a candlelight vigil and reading of all the POWs and MIAs from the Vietnam War. These soldiers also are remembered during the Sunday observance.
Arlington Heights Frontier Days
When: June 30-July 4
Where: Recreation Park, Arlington Heights
Info: www.frontierdays.org.
Frontier Days in Arlington Heights, one of the suburbs’ largest festivals, features free entertainment on three stages, as well as carnival rides, games, an arts and crafts show, two food tents and a host of activities.
“Our Main Stage and Frontier Stage acts bring people in, but the real draw over the years has been that it is truly a family-oriented celebration,” said Janelle Kulisch, co-chairman with LeeAnn Lenz. “It just has a hometown feel.”
This year they will offer a few new events, Kulisch says.
“We’re excited, because we have some new acts coming,” she says of their main stage entertainment traditionally announced on Memorial Day, “and some new things for people to try.”
She points to a team trivia contest on July 2, as well as a rib eating contest sponsored by Sweet Baby Ray’s in Elk Grove Village.
Mount Prospect Lions Club Festival
When: June 30-July 4
Where: Melas Park
Info: (847) 870-6622 or www.mountprospect.org
The Mount Prospect Lions Club hosts one of the oldest suburban festivals. This year’s festival will be their 73rd, and it plays out at Melas Park, located at 1326 W. Central Road in Mount Prospect.
The festival runs from June 30 to July 4, and features carnival rides, games and live entertainment. Admission is free, with a charge for some activities.
Fantasy Amusement in Prospect Heights is debuting two of its newest rides at the Lions Club Festival. Freak Out, a new thrill ride, will add some excitement to the Midway, while the Sabre Tooth inflatable slide will have little ones looking like they’re coming out of the lions’ den.
The entertainment lineup opens June 30 with American English, and the Fairlanes will play July 4. That performance comes just before the fireworks, which the Lions sponsor for the village. This year, they launched a new “Bang for a Buck” campaign to help offset declining corporate and village contributions.
Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Art Festival
When: July 16-17,
Where: Buffalo Grove Town Center
Info: amdurproductions.com
This is the 10th year for the Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Arts Fest. Village officials work with Amdur Productions to mount the free show, which features more than 150 artists.
Works run the gamut, from traditional oils, watercolors and acrylics, to jewelry, sculpture, photography, woodworking, ceramics and fabric art. Patrons may talk to the artists about their work, as well as purchase pieces.
“The show has a big following,” said Susan Levy of the village manager’s office in Buffalo Grove. “I walk into people’s houses and recognize their art.”
This year’s theme is “Art Alive,” so look for live sculptures to turn up throughout the show, or volunteers painted by artists and wearing unique costumes. There is live music as well.
Village officials have worked with the Citizens with Disabilities Commission to showcase artists with disabilities on July 16, while youth art will be featured July 17.
Schaumburg Septemberfest
When: Sept. 3-5
Where: Schaumburg Municipal Campus
Info: www.septemberfest.org
Schaumburg offers one of the only Labor Day festivals around. Now in its 41st year, Septemberfest features a parade, entertainment, an expansive food tent, arts and crafts and carnival rides.
This year’s theme, “Salute to Our Champions,” promises to offer an emotional tribute to community leaders and military heroes, as well as reinforce civic pride.
“It’s a wonderful weekend of entertainment that many, many people look forward to each year,” said Roxane Benvenuti, Schaumburg’s special events coordinator.
The free festival plays out on the scenic grounds of the Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, 101 Schaumburg Court. A massive food tent holds the Taste of Schaumburg, showcasing more than two dozen restaurants.
Three stages offer continuous entertainment throughout each day, and the nights end with a fireworks display.