Bartlett Heritage Days mixes past, present with new events for 2014

A new lineup of events and surprise activities will bring the "good old days" of family fun with friends and neighbors back to downtown Bartlett during Bartlett Heritage Days, Friday to Sunday, Sept. 5-7.

Now, in its fifth year, this communitywide fall festival is designed to honor and celebrate the area's rich history. The village was founded when the Bartlett station was built on the Chicago & Pacific Railroad in 1873. Today, Bartlett has grown to a village of more than 40,000 that takes pride in its rural heritage.

New this year are:

• A Geocache Medallion Hunt starting Sept. 5. Go to www.geocaching.com for information.

• Battle of the U-46 Marching Bands Sunday at the Chamber Carnival with a 103.9 live radio broadcast in Leiseberg Park.

• Bags Tournament at Pasta Mia in Bartlett Plaza noon Saturday, signup ends at 11:30 a.m.

• A family friendly steampunk concert - Miss Patti E. the Vagabond Saturday 1 p.m. Saturday at the Depot Museum, 100 W. Railroad Ave.

• Antique Road Show with John Hilliard in the Log Cabin in Bartlett Park noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, $5 an item.

• Jewelry Row on Oak 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with gold/silver purchased 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Unique fiber art installation downtown.

• Miniature golf in Bartlett Park noon to 4 p.m. with Christ Community Church.

• Open House and "touch a truck" Saturday and Sunday by Hanover Township Emergency Services at Fire Barn, 218 S. Main St.

• Corn Roast Saturday at Seasons Outdoor Produce in Bartlett Plaza.

Returning events include:

• Trolley tours with docents from the Bartlett Historical Society, free with a 2014 Bartlett Heritage Days button. They run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from Bartlett Village Hall, 228 S. Main St.

• Fashion show and dancing, 7 p.m. Friday, Banbury Fair, 211 W. Railroad Ave.

• Antique/flea market, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on Bartlett Avenue.

• Pony rides and petting zoo, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Associated Bank on Bartlett Avenue.

• Legoland Discovery Center and Math Games, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Bartlett Park.

• Arts and crafts fair, business vendors, food, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Bartlett Park.

The schedule of other returning events, including the pet parade and the animal show, is available at BartlettHeritageDays.com.

The Chamber Carnival at Leiseberg Park offers advance purchase megapasses with unlimited rides all weekend for $40 in advance and $45 on-site, with $25 wristbands available for unlimited rides from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Live music, food trucks, and a beer and wine tent are other features of the carnival. The full entertainment schedule is available at BartlettChamber.com. Information, including schedule updates, is also on Facebook at /BHeritageDays and /BartlettHeritageDaysCarnival.

There's free parking at Metra lots after 6 p.m. on Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. Most events are free. Tickets for kid activities in downtown Bartlett and for the Chamber Carnival are not interchangeable.

Entertainment schedule

The Chamber Carnival and the major entertainment acts are at Leiseberg Park, 325 E. Devon.

FRIDAY

5 to 10:45 p.m. Chamber Carnival

5:30 p.m. Sonic 7

8 p.m. Smokin' Gunz

SATURDAY

12 to 10:45 p.m. Chamber Carnival

1:30 p.m. Southbound 61

3:30 p.m. Leaving Scarlet

5:30 p.m. Forget Hannah

8 p.m. Friction

SUNDAY

12 to 5 p.m. Chamber Carnival

12 p.m. Terata

2 p.m. Battle of the U-46 Marching Bands