East Dundee expands kids activities at this year's Heritage Fest
Kids' trackless train rides; games; crafts, face painting, silent movies and magic shows will join the ever popular carnival rides and Ferris wheel in East Dundee during Dundee's Heritage Fest on Friday, Sept. 18, to Sunday, Sept. 20.
New this year, Kids Korner, located on the Depot grounds, allows kids to participate in Hula Hoop and Hopscotch contests, play large scale Tic-Tac-Toe, race cars they've made themselves, play ring toss, make memory boxes, surround themselves with bubbles, or have their face painted. There also will be a trackless train to ride; silly silent movies to watch at 7 p.m. Saturday; a mesmerizing magic show scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Friday, noon, 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, and noon, 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday. To top it off, Windy City Carnival will be offering rides and more on Water Street from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
"We're bringing back old-fashioned fun for the kids this year," said East Dundee Village President Lael Miller. "What kid can resist a carnival, magic, or a bubble machine? Heritage Fest is the perfect time for families to come to the Depot and explore our newly renovated downtown area. While the kids are busy, adults can visit our Business Expo; stopover at Deutschfest or kick back and enjoy music on our Depot stage."
Music lovers will rejoice when the stage at East Dundee's River Street Depot lights up with the sounds of all types of music ranging from folk and jazz to blues and rock from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18; 8:30 a.m. and continuing through 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20.
On Saturday, visitors also will be able to visit East Dundee's Business & Not-For-Profit Expo at 10 a.m. or its regular Depot Market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. where MIR Appraisal Services Inc. will be on hand to do Antique Appraisals from noon to 2 p.m. As always, fest-goers will be able to sample different offerings at East Dundee's Taste of Dundee Food and Drink beginning at noon or at Immanuel Lutheran's Deutschfest from noon until 11 p.m.
The fun continues on Sunday at the Depot with its farmers market and music beginning at 8 a.m.; Antique Car Show at 10 a.m. and Business Faire; live music at the Depot; Taste of Dundee food and drinks; Deutsch Fest; Kids Korner and Carnival, all from noon to 6 p.m.
Traditionally held in West Dundee, this communitywide event has expanded into East Dundee and takes place in the downtown Dundee location along Route 72. The village of East Dundee will be focusing on their German Heritage through a joint partnership with Immanuel Lutheran, as they host their annual Deutschfest celebration tent complete with German food and drink. Through a partnership between the villages, visitors will enjoy fireworks, great music, carnival rides, good food, craft and antique fairs, car shows, Kids Korner, magic shows, weekend markets and more. There's something for everyone.
For a complete list of activities, dates and times, visit wdundeeheritagefest.org.
Sizzlin' Summer Events
Each week throughout the summer months, The Depot at 319 N. River St., East Dundee has been host to events held monthly: Motor Mondays, Tail Waggin' Tuesdays, Wine Down Wednesdays and new this year, Thirsty Thursdays. The Depot Market is held every Saturday, 8a-2p and the Farmers Market is held every Sunday, 9a-1p. To learn more, visit [www.discoverdundee.org]www.discoverdundee.org
About the Village of East Dundee
The Village of East Dundee is home to 3,000 residents. Its downtown plan is to create a "culinary" district consisting of the right mix of restaurants, retail and community events to serve as a destination attraction for both residents and regional visitors. For more information on the plan, and all East Dundee events, visit the community calendar on the village website at www.eastdundee.net.
About the Village of West Dundee
The Village of West Dundee, with a population 7,331, offers a small-town atmosphere and regional conveniences. The community is showcased by the beautifully maintained turn-of-the-century architecture in the downtown historic district, adjacent to the picturesque Riverwalk. For more information about the Village of West Dundee, please visit www.wdundee.org.