With Railroad Days, West Chicago keeps party rolling
Fourth of July revelers not yet ready to pack up the party and head home, take heart: West Chicago Railroad Days comes on the heels of Independence Day.
The festival, in its second year at its new Pioneer Park location, runs from Thursday through Sunday, July 6 to July 9.
Rides, a midway full of games and food and a "huge beer tent" will be complemented with a bean bag tournament, a memorial 5K run and a parade, said Wayne Lofton Jr., executive vice president of the Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce, the organization presenting the community shindig.
Up to 20 teams of two bean bag tossers will compete in the bean bag tournament set to begin at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Lofton said.
"It's kind of like horseshoes, but instead of horseshoes they are throwing bean bags," he said. "There are cash prizes for the winning and placing teams."
The popular tournament has historically filled up quickly, Lofton said, so berths in the competition are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Throughout the weekend, music from the entertainment stage will provide the soundtrack for Railroad Days.
The entertainment stage will host 4th Point at 6 p.m. Thursday, followed at 7:45 p.m. by Lost in Time, a local band.
"You've got to have the community element to call it a community festival," Lofton said.
Friday's music lineup starts with Girl and the Gang at 5:30 p.m. Voyage, a classic rock band, plays at 6:30 p.m. followed by Billy Elton, a band that does covers of Billy Joel and Elton John hits, at 8:30 p.m.
The musical entertainment includes a performance by Led Zeppelin tribute band Kashmir at 9 p.m. Saturday, preceded at 7 p.m. by The Fortunate Sons, a Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band. Sammy and the Good Knights play at 5 p.m.
Lofton said The Fortunate Sons deliver a convincing rendition of the '70s favorites.
"They are absolutely spot on," he said.
Sunday's stage performers include West Chicago Youth Music at 3 p.m., Trio Ellas at 4:15 p.m., Chicago Youth Mariachi at 6:15 p.m. and Esso Funkjam at 7:30 p.m., which Lofton described as a band that specializes in Latin-infused jazz.
A half dozen large rides for older children and adults will highlight the carnival, along with several kiddie rides, Lofton said.
The Michael Browning Memorial 5K Run to Remember will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday at the ARC Center, 201 W. National St. The race honors police officer Michael Browning who was killed in the line of duty, Lofton said. Proceeds go to the Michael Browning Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Between 50 and 100 units will march in the Railroad Days parade, which steps off at 1 p.m. Sunday on Ingalton Avenue, one block west of Route 59. The route takes the parade south to Washington Street and west to Arbor Avenue.
"People line up along the streets in droves," Lofton said.
If you go
What: West Chicago Railroad Days
Where: Pioneer Park, 479 W. Forest Ave., West Chicago
Carnival Hours: 4:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 6; 4:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 7; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 8; and 4:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 9
Beer Garden Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 6; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 7; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 8; and 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 9
Admission: Free
Parking: Free; free shuttle bus service at stops near West Chicago Community High School, 326 Joliet St., West Chicago
Info: (630) 231-3003 or westerndupagechamber.com