Big weekend planned for Alpine Fest
Unlike festivals sponsored by villages or chambers of commerce in most Chicago-area communities, Lake Zurich's Alpine Fest is a continuing tradition of the Lake Zurich Lions Club.
"We began to engage the community in a summer gathering when Lake Zurich was just a resort town," said Mike Stanish, incoming Lions Club president and organizer of this year's Alpine Fest.
"We worked with the volunteer firefighters on an event in our park that could raise some money for our local guys who were going off to serve in WWII. It became an even greater effort when we could welcome them home. In the spirit of the original festival, we encourage people to give blood at the American Legion hall, across the street from the park, on Saturday morning, July 18."
According to Stanish, the gathering more than 70 years ago involved games, dances, and the sale of some baked goods. That's a far cry from the full-blown festival of today.
Alpine Fest runs from 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 17, and noon to midnight Saturday, July 18. Sunday, July 19, begins with the Alpine Fest Parade at 11:30 a.m., with the park opening at 1 p.m. and closing at 9 p.m.
Alpine Fest Parade, widely recognized as the biggest in Lake County, steps off from the corner of Ela Road and Route 22 and follows East Main Street downtown to Lions Park. It features bands, magic carpets, equestrians, antique cars, cheerleaders, floats and candy.
The festival also includes carnival rides, food, beer and music under a big top tent and other entertainment, as well as firefighter water fights.
"Our firefighters and others will have a water battle on Main Street to open the festival," Stanish said. "Not only is it fun for the spectators, it does a great job of cleaning the street. We will do the same on Saturday, just to make sure."
Food venues open when the park opens, including the Alpine Diner, the Bloomin' Onion and french fry tent, funnel cakes, and midway foods with its pizza, pretzels and cotton candy. Of course, hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwurst and Italian beef sandwiches will be available in several locations, and the beer tent will be open as well.
Carnival rides will operate all weekend, and there are choices for kids of all ages. All-you-can-ride matinee wristbands are available for Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
"That's a ridiculous amount of afternoon fun for only about 20 bucks," Stanish said.
Details can be found online at www.lzlions.com.
"Best of all, we have great entertainment, both for adults under the big top tent and for kids as well," he said.
Proceeds from Alpine Fest support community interests such as maintenance of the lake and Lions Park, as well as assistance for sight and hearing-impaired people, both here at home and worldwide.
Lions Park is at 81 E. Main St., Lake Zurich.