Plenty to do at Palatine Hometown Fest

Palatine's Community Park will be the venue for a 60th anniversary edition of a Fourth of July tradition.

Members of the Palatine Jaycees will host Hometown Fest Friday, June 30, through Tuesday, July 4. Entertainment, food vendors, a parade, carnival, business expo, craft fair and fireworks will be part of the fun at the park, 262 E. Palatine Road.

Similar to other suburban Fourth of July bashes, music is an integral part of Hometown Fest, which does not have an admission fee.

The Feudin' Hillbillys will kick off the entertainment at 5 p.m. Friday. They'll be followed by Triple Threat Band at 7:30 p.m. and Mike Zabrin's Funktastic at 10 p.m.

Music will be jamming throughout the day on Saturday. The Arlington Heights School of Rock will lead at noon, followed by the Glen Murschel Duo at 1:30 p.m., Nothing Yet at 3:30 p.m., There Goes the Neighborhood at 5:30 p.m., Wall of Denial at 7:30 p.m. and Maggie Speaks at 10 p.m.

Visitors to the fest on Sunday will get to see the Battle of the Bands champion at noon, followed bt Steve Leaf and the Ex Pats at 1:30 p.m., Pidgin at 3 p.m., Serendipity at 5:30 p.m. and Mike and Joe at 8 p.m.

On Monday, Hot Rocks will kick off at 5 p.m., followed by Jake Dodds at 7:30 p.m. The music will take a time out for the fireworks show, set for dusk - 9 p.m. or so - then will resume at 10 p.m. with Bucket #6.

Hometown Fest would not be complete without the annual parade. The one-mile route begins on Cedar Street at 11 a.m. Saturday and works its way to Community Park. Parade entries are expected to include Palatine organizations and businesses, village government officials, and the police and fire departments.

Windy City Amusements will be on hand with carnival rides and games for all ages to enjoy. There will be roller coasters and games on the midway offering prizes.

In addition, a slide, train and carousel will be there for young children. A rides megapass will be available and good for every day of the carnival.

Hometown Toss, a baggo tournament, is at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Hometown Fest proceeds go toward funding the Palatine Jaycees' community projects, community grants and high school scholarships. The Jaycees are a not-for-profit civic organization dedicated to providing individual development to young people to create positive change.

More information is at palatinejaycees.org.