Northwest Fourth-Fest returns to the Sears Centre Thursday-Sunday
The village of Hoffman Estates, along with Hanover Township and the Hoffman Estates Park District, are bringing back Northwest Fourth-Fest, the area's biggest Fourth of July celebration.
The free four-day event kicks off at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, with a carnival outside the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, and a free concert featuring Heartache Tonight playing the Eagles' greatest hits. The festival concludes on Sunday, July 6, at 4 p.m.
Due to the popularity of last year's event, the venue has increased traffic control, parking (9,000 free spaces), and routes in and out of the grounds to provide for a more convenient celebration.
On Friday, July 4, Independence Day will end with a spectacular fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
Northwest Fourth-Fest is highlighted by free performances by several bands - including Kashmir, Modern Day Romeos, Mike & Joe and Smash Mouth - and dozens of interactive events, including bingo with cash prizes (sponsored by the Dundee Township Boys and Girls Club), a diaper derby, a bags tournament (sponsored by 1st Place Bar & Grill), pony rides (sponsored by Schaumburg Township District Library), a pie-eating contest (sponsored by Mariano's), face painting, a water balloon toss contest and a bike auction. The carnival features more than 40 rides.
On Friday from 11 a.m. to noon and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Hoffman Estates Cultural Awareness Commission will present a variety of ethnic music, dancing and fun.
Northwest Fourth-Fest hours are 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday (carnival only); 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday; 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.northwestfourthfest.com, or call the Fourth of July hotline at (847) 252-5446.
Northwest Fourth-Fest
THURSDAY
6 to 11 p.m. Carnival and Festival
6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday Photo Contest, take Instagram pics and submit them for a prize
7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Bingo with cash prizes
7:30 p.m. Heartache Tonight, main stage
FRIDAY
8:45 a.m. Children's bike and trike parade assembly, Kingman Lane/Illinois Boulevard
9 a.m. Fourth of July Parade on Illinois Boulevard, theme of "America: Yesterday, Today & Forever"
11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Carnival and Festival
11 a.m. to noon Multicultural Entertainment: Grupo Folklorico Quetzal; Rebecca McCarthy School of Dance
1 p.m. Diaper Derby, open to the first 24 children under 12 months, crawlers only, sign-in 12:30 p.m.
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Magic Of Brian Holt, village green stage
1:30 p.m. Jump Taxi, main stage
2 to 6 p.m. Balloon animals, food tent
2 to 6 p.m. Face painting, food tent
12 to 10 p.m. Bingo with cash prizes
3 p.m. Bags tournament, food tent
3 to 5 p.m. Multicultural Entertainment: Vidhya Babu Indian Dancers; guitarist Jose Verduzco; Midwest Buddhist Temple Japanese Drummers
3:30 p.m. Pie-eating contest, food tent
3:30 p.m. Brian Lavender, main stage
4 to 6 p.m. Pony rides
5 p.m. Water balloon toss contest
6 p.m. Kashmir, main stage
8:30 p.m. Modern Day Romeos, main stage
9:30 p.m. Fireworks display
10:15 p.m. Modern Day Romeos, main stage
SATURDAY
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Arts & Crafts Fair and Business Expo, inside Sears Centre Arena
1 to 11 p.m. Carnival and Festival
1:30 p.m. Rubber chicken toss contest
2 p.m. The Barefoot Hawaiian, main stage
2 to 5 p.m. Balloon animals, food tent
2 to 5 p.m. Face painting, food tent
2:30 p.m. Bike auction
2 to 10 p.m. Bingo with cash prizes
3 to 6 p.m. Pony rides
4 p.m. North by Northwest, main stage
4 to 5 p.m. Yodeling contest, village green stage
5:30 p.m. Best legs contest, village green stage
6 p.m. Mike & Joe, main stage
8:30 p.m. Smash Mouth, main stage
SUNDAY
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Arts & Crafts Fair and Business Expo, inside Sears Centre Arena
Noon to 6 p.m. Carnival