Craft beer fest is new feature at 4-day Rotary GroveFest in Downers Grove
Beer fans, get ready to sip and sample.
The newest addition to Rotary GroveFest, an annual summer tradition that kicks off Thursday and goes through Sunday in downtown Downers Grove, is a craft beer fest.
According to festival chairwoman Lisa Rasin, local craft brewers will showcase their best beverages from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. There is no cover charge and it will be $2 for each 5-ounce pour.
There is also a traditional beer tent that will be open Friday through Sunday.
The festival includes midway rides and games, live entertainment, a business expo, food vendors and a car show in the center of downtown along Main Street, between Burlington and Warren avenues.
GroveFest starts Thursday with a “preview night” for the midway that goes from 5:30-10 p.m., offering unlimited rides for $27.
The main stage entertainment starts at 5 p.m. Friday with ARRA, a 7:15 p.m. show from Modern Day Romeos and Sixteen Candles performing at 9:30 p.m.
At noon Saturday, Black Bolts will perform, followed by Valius at 2:45 p.m., Wild Daisy at 5 p.m., The Pack Drumline and Dance Crew at 6:30 and 8:45 p.m., Fool House at 7:15 p.m. and 7th heaven at 9:30 p.m.
Sunday's lineup includes the McNulty Irish Dancers, Versa5 Dance Company, Garage Band U, Rock Academy, Sushi Roll, Maggie Speaks at 6:15 p.m. and Semple Band at 8:30 p.m.
Different from many summer festivals is what is on tap for Sunday morning.
“We have a church service at 10 a.m. Sunday, an outdoor church service,” Rasin said. “That brings the community together.”
Local restaurants at the festival will include Skuddlebutts, Melting Pot, Every Day's a Sundae, Wells Street Popcorn, Pierce Tavern, Parkers' Restaurant & Bar and Nothing Bundt Cakes.
The car show, staged along Warren Avenue, will go from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
“This is our 10th year of the Rotary Club running the fest,” Rasin said. “It used to be Heritage Fest and the Village of Downers Grove ran it.”
The club is grateful for the chance to present a fun festival while generating money for community service projects.
“It's turned out to be the fundraiser of the year,” Rasin said.
The club provides scholarships for high school seniors and helps local organizations with grants.
“Last year we gave back over $50,000 to over 32 organizations,” Rasin said. “We have hundreds of volunteers. All the nonprofits sign up and take shifts. We give them a stipend for helping us put on the fest.”