Kick off the summer festival season with Gilberts Community Days
Gilberts' biggest event of the year, full of music, food and fun, returns on May 30 to June 2.
Gilberts Community Days will feature 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 at Town Square Park, 195 Jackson St., Gilberts.
The annual festival opens on Thursday, May 30, with the carnival only from 6 to 10 p.m. The festival continues from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 31; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 1; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 2. Admission is free. There will be a shuttle bus going between Town Center and Town Square Park on May 31 to June 2.
For $25, get an unlimited carnival ride wristband at Cruisin Bar & Eatery, Pub 72, Addy's Subs & Salads, or Gilberts Village Hall until May 29. At the fest, wristbands will be $30. To learn more, and to find out which times you can use these tickets, visit www.gilbertscommunitydays.com/the-carnival
Kicking things off in style at 5 p.m. Friday will be the Interstate Nineties, bringing the best ’90s alternative to the fest stage. They will be followed by the cool voice of Tennessee Whiskey Chicago at 6:30 p.m. then the party gets topped off by Libido Funk Circus at 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, join the “Gilberts Game Show” with WRMN 1410AM from noon to 1 p.m. From noon to 4 p.m., there will be Kids Zone Crafts and face painting.
On Saturday and Sunday, check out the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce's Business and Crafts Expo from noon to 5 p.m. Join American Legion Post 0679 honor guard in a “Salute to Our Troops” at 3:15 p.m. Saturday. From noon to 5 p.m., join in fun activities with the Gilberts Police Department on Saturday and the fire department on Sunday.
Thanks to Elgin Recycling, the festival will be once again hosting a dunk tank from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with the proceeds going to benefit Shop With A Cop-Dundee Township.
The music stage will open on Saturday with The Eric Case Band at 1:30 p.m., followed by country band Smokin’ Gunz at 4 p.m. The ’90s cover band Run Forrest Run will hit the stage at 6 p.m., followed by the headliner Hairbanger’s Ball at 8 p.m., bringing back the style and music of the ’80s hair rock bands.
On Sunday, head over to the Cruisin' and Pub 72 restaurants for the Classic Car Show opening at 9 a.m. The Children's Theatre of Elgin will take the stage at noon, followed by JG's Reptile Show at 12:45 p.m. Kids can enjoy a meet-and-greet with Mario, Ariel and Elsa from 2 to 4 p.m. Remember to bring a camera.
The Dynamix will open the music stage at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, playing all of your favorite songs of the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.
The Fortunate Sons, using vintage gear, instruments and costumes, will be re-creating the music of Creedence Clearwater Revival at 4 p.m. The festival will close out at 6 p.m. with the popular Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute.
For information or a map for parking, visit www.gilbertscommunitydays.com or facebook.com/gilbertscommunitydays.