Gurnee Days Planning Begins for 47th Annual Festival
Mark your calendars! The 47th annual Gurnee Days family festival will take place Aug. 8-11, 2019, at Viking Park and other venues throughout the village.
This year's theme is "Gurnee Days - Hooray for Hollywood." The theme allows businesses and organizations participating in the annual parade to have fun with favorite movies and film stars on their floats.
Officers leading the all-volunteer organization this year are President Kraig Owens, President-Elect Beckie Korzyniewski, Treasurer Deanne Fisher and Secretary Donna Dallas.
The majority of the most popular Gurnee Days events will return in 2019, along with a few new activities. Events kick off on Thursday, Aug. 8, with a bike rodeo and teen pool party.
Friday, Aug. 9, will feature a bike rodeo, story time, amusement rides, food booths, and the beer garden.
A special ceremony will be held on Friday, Aug. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Viking Park Dance Hall to honor an individual or couple who has made a significant contribution to the Gurnee community - a tradition since 1973. The honoree also will serve as parade marshal on Sunday. Gurnee Days committee members are accepting nominations for the honoree until April 30.
Friday's live entertainment features Ax and The Hatchetmen, a popular group of local teens who play the Blues, jazz, alternative rock and classic rock. They will perform from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Viking Park Main Stage.
The Boy Band Night is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Viking Park Main Stage. The Boy Band Night pays tribute to popular boy bands, performing covers of songs by *NSync, Backstreet Boys, New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, One Direction and more.
Saturday, Aug. 10, dawns with a golf tournament and a 5K and 10K race organized by the Rotary Club of Gurnee. The Exchange Club once again will serve up tasty meals at Ribfest in Viking Park from noon to 11 p.m. There will be open houses at the public works, police and fire departments, tours of the historic Mother Rudd House and more.
Live music will return on Saturday in the Viking Park Main Stage. Glenn Johnson & the Voices of InnerPeace, a Lake County gospel band, will perform at 3:15 p.m. The 5 p.m. show is King By Friday, a Chicago band that performs original indie rock with a hint of punk, funk, Latin and Blues. Next up at 8 p.m. is Hi-Infidelity, billed as Chicagoland's favorite classic rock band.
The always spectacular fireworks show will begin around 9:15 p.m. Saturday at Viking Park.
Gurnee Explorer Post 266 will host the annual pancake breakfast fund-raiser from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, Aug. 11, at the park, while the Gurnee Days Parade will step off at noon on Old Grand Avenue in the heart of the village. The third annual "Battle of the Badges" softball game between the Gurnee Fire Department and Gurnee Police Department is set for 2 p.m. at the Viking Park softball field.
And, at 2:30 p.m. in the main stage, Jim Gill will perform his active sing-along and clap-along show that gets children of all ages moving to the music.
In between the main events, Viking Park is filled with families and friends enjoying the petting zoo, stage entertainment, ice cream and rib eating contests, a police canine demonstration, a Zumba party, amusement rides, exhibitors, food and games.
The Gurnee Days Corporation, a not-for-profit organization of volunteers, has been planning and orchestrating the annual Gurnee Days celebration for 47 years. The corporation meets the first Wednesday evening of the month at the Gurnee Police Department. Gurnee Days is funded by cash or in-kind contributions from area businesses, individuals and civic organizations. Without their support, Gurnee Days would not be possible. To make a donation, volunteer or for additional information, write to the Gurnee Days Corp., P.O. Box 111, Gurnee IL 60031, call 847-623-7788, or visit www.GurneeDays.com.