‘More than a feeling’ for a great show. Entertainment set for Vernon Hills Days
The lineup for Vernon Hills Days summer bash includes cover bands, local favorites and a headliner who has been the vocalist for the touring lineup of the band Boston.
“I have more than a feeling that will be a great show,” quipped Village Manager Kevin Timony in announcing the band schedule for the 2025 event.
The village board this past week authorized a contract not to exceed $150,000 with Entertainment Management Group involving the musical acts.
Here is the lineup as described by Timony:
Thursday: Too Hype Crew. The band is a “tasteful tribute” to the fun hip-hop and party anthems of the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. Fireworks will follow the show.
Friday: Starlight City is the opening act. The group presents a “dazzling mix” of pop and dance music combined with the powerful energy of a modern rock show, performing hits by Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, Pink, Elton John and others.
Alternative rockers Switchfoot is the headliner.
Saturday: Heart to Heartbreaker, featuring the music of Heart and Pat Benatar is the opening act.
Headlining Saturday is Tommy DeCarlo, who since 2007 has been the lead or colead vocalist on every touring lineup of Boston.
Wrapping up the event Sunday is Modern Day Romeos, long a popular Chicago area band playing a variety of genres from Motown to classic rock treasures, '80s favorites, metal anthems, '90s gems and top hits of the 2000s played in their own style and infused with comedy.
The village also contracted with EMG in 2022 and 2024. The 2025 full-service contract is very similar to last year and only $5,000 higher, Timony said.
Services include booking the bands and managing their contracts/riders. EMG also manages the production, stage and sound and will arrange, provide and pay for a 32-foot by 24-foot covered stage with full sound and lighting systems.
Vernon Hills Days is a free community event, and the village tries to plan a varied entertainment lineup across different genres and generations of music, according to Timony.
“The $150,000 entertainment budget covers four nights of musical acts and we work closely with EMG to book the best available bands, including local, regional, and national touring artists,” he said.
Last year's featured act, alternative rock band Everclear, was among the largest evenings in festival history.
What had been known as Summer Celebration began in 1992 with Marie Osmond, The Guess Who and Paul Revere & the Raiders as the music acts. The name changed to Vernon Hills Days in 2022 because that is what most people referred to it as, Timony said.
The four-day festival runs from July 17 through July 20 at Century Park. Visit vhdays.com for details.