Lake in the Hills Summer Sunset Festival adds dance competition
Competitive dancers will put on their dancing shoes and hotfoot it to the Lake in the Hills Summer Sunset Festival this weekend in hopes of snagging a title - and a prize.
"We're having a 'Just Dance' competition. We used to call it 'Got Talent.' We reached out to some of the dance studios in the area," said Ray Bogdanowski, village trustee and event chairman.
Bogdanowski said the dance show goes from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, and will feature nothing but dance.
"We're actually giving out cash prizes," he said. First-place gets $100, second gets $50 and third place gets $25, he said.
The festival runs Friday, Aug. 30, through Sunday, Sept. 1, in Sunset Park. Saturday morning starts off with a festival parade at 10 a.m.
"There will be over 50 entries this year," Bogdanowski said.
Marchers will include members of karate studios and dance studios, Medinah Shriners and village leaders, he said. Parade marshals will be members of the Huntley High School girls softball team.
The parade will follow a one-mile route that will begin at Grafton Farm Drive and Miller Road and will head east on Miller Road to Albrecht Road.
While admission to the Summer Sunset Festival in Sunset Park is free, there is a $15 per person charge for the wine-tasting tent. Participants will each receive seven premium wine tastings and a souvenir wineglass.
"That's something we added a few years back and it's been very successful," Bogdanowski said.
The festival brings back several favorite events, including a classic and custom car show from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday; family bingo at 7 p.m. Friday; a bags competition at noon Sunday; and a craft fair and business expo from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The Sunset Fun Zone will present kids' activities, including inflatable rides, games, crafts and entertainment, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Carnival rides and games, food tents and live music will be available all three days.
"It's a village-sponsored event. Our goal is to have a community event. We don't have a downtown area. We have pretty good entertainment as well," he said. "One of the local favorites is Seventh heaven. They're well-known in the area and they'll be there Saturday night."
Friday night's headliners will be Catfight, described by Bogdanowski as a girl rock 'n' roll band, playing at 9 p.m. At 8 p.m. Sunday, it's Rod Tuffcurls and The Bench Press. A fireworks show closes out the evening and the festival at 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
Bogdanowski said parking will be available in the park and in the lots. The parking layout has changed due to damage from heavy rains, he said.
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19th annual Lake in the Hills Summer Sunset Festival
When: 3 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30; 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31; and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1
Where: Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills
Admission: Free
Details: summersunsetfest.com