Gilberts Community Days to offer carnival rides, music, fireworks and more
Gilberts Community Days, the village's annual festival, brings together residents, visitors, and businesses in a four-day celebration of community and fun.
From Thursday to Sunday, June 2-5, there will be live musical entertainment on stage, free children's activities including a petting zoo, a carnival full of rides and games, local food and drinks, a classic car show, and more. Enjoy a spectacular fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
Fest hours will be 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday (carnival only), 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday in Town Square Park, 195 Jackson St. Admission is free.
The music stage will open on Friday with Gasoline Alley, a bluesy rock band, at 5 p.m., followed by party band Hello Weekend at 6:30 p.m. and 7th Heaven at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, How Rude will perform hits from the 1990s, from grunge to pop, at 1:30 p.m. Smokin' Gunz, a country band from Schaumburg, will perform at 4 p.m., followed by ARRA's classic rock at 6 p.m. and Nashville-based singer and songwriter Austin Burke at 8 p.m.
On Sunday, Good Clean Fun will perform at 1:30 p.m., followed by The Who tribute band Who's Who at 4 p.m. Beatles tribute band American English will close out the festival at 6 p.m.
On Saturday, the Kyuki-Do Martial Arts of Sleepy Hollow will offer a live demo at noon, and the Gilberts police will hold a K-9 demo at 1 p.m. There will be face painting by Fun Funky Fab from noon to 4 p.m. Meet McGruff the Crime Dog from 2 to 4 p.m. There will be a honor guard tribute to veterans at 3:15 p.m.
On Sunday, a car show, hosted by DJ Rudy K, will open at 9 a.m. along Galligan Road, between Cruisin' Bar & Eatery and Pub 72. Get up close with some animals at JG's Reptile Show from noon to 4 p.m. The Rutland-Dundee Fire Department will offer activities from noon to 5 p.m. Bring a camera for a meet-and-greet with Batman and Elsa and Ana from “Frozen.”
There will be activities and fundraisers encouraging festivalgoers to “Inspire Kindness, Pay It Forward.”
Versiti and Northwestern Medicine are hosting a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 4. Donate to receive a portable Bluetooth speaker while supplies last.
The Friends of the Fox River Valley Libraries will host a book and media collection.
A food drive will be held all day on Saturday and Sunday, June 4-5, to benefit the District 300 Food Pantry and FISH Food Pantry. Requested donations include: canned fruit or vegetables, canned tuna or chicken, mac & cheese, spaghetti sauce and other canned tomato products, peanut butter and jelly, bagged white rice, cans or bag of beans, baby formula cereal and food, personal hygiene items, and canned pasta. Elgin-based Hoof Woof & Meow Animal Rescue Inc. will be at the festival. Support the rescue, sign up to volunteer or foster, or meet your new bestie.
Gilberts Village President Guy Zambetti and Hampshire Village President Mike Reid will be featured in a dunk tank with proceeds going to Shop With a Cop. It is three throws for $5 from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Get a “Taste of Gilberts” and other local eats, including Smiley's Barbeque, Blackhawk BBQ & Seafood, Knights of Columbus, Pub 72, Cruising Bar & Eatery, and the Influencer Tent with Mino Prime Steaks, Cooking With Darryl, and Three Pieces of Pecan.
For information, visit www.gilbertscommunitydays.com.