Itasca Fest focuses on family-friendly fun

With nearly three decades of experience behind them, Itasca Fest organizers know what it takes to bring in a crowd: a mix traditional attractions, a fresh entertainment lineup and family-friendly free admission.

With a classic car show, three-on-three youth and adult basketball tournaments, carnival, fishing contest and children's entertainment, the 26th annual Itasca Fest opens at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 9, in Washington Park, 350 E. Irving Park Road, Itasca. Festivities continue through Sunday, July 12.

Dan Kompanowski, vice chairman of the festival and special events coordinator for the village of Itasca, said organizers strive to keep the fest fresh with ever-changing talent, but attendees also enjoy almost 30 years of tradition.

"People expect a lot of the same stuff from year to year," Kompanowski said. "A great carnival, great food and family-oriented fun."

The 2015 edition offers just that with daily cash bingo, carnival rides, U.S. Army tactical displays, food vendors and more. A wide variety of live music will include country hits, classic rock, Motown favorites and even a Beatles tribute band. Main stage headliners are Backroads Country on Thursday, Kashmir on Friday, Lance Lipinski and The Lovers on Saturday, and American English on Sunday.

Providing shelter from rain or excessive heat, the Itasca Lions Den Pavilion is an enormous tent where the more than 30,000 fest-goers expected to visit throughout the weekend can relax. An antique flea market is featured Saturday, while the classic car show is the focus on Sunday. The Itasca Health Fair will offer free blood pressure checks, body fat analyses, eye exams and general health screenings from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Children can look forward to magic shows, pony rides and face painting all weekend.

"It takes the whole community to run something like this," Kompanowski said. "It's just a great event, and all parts of the village take part in it. That's what makes it a success."

The festival is presented by the Itasca Lions Club, and organizers ask visitors to bring any old eyeglasses from home to donate to the Lions Recycle for Sight program.

For information, visit Itasca.com.