Mount Prospect’s 4th of July Festival to feature Latin music showcase

A Latin music showcase Sunday will add flair to the Mount Prospect Lions Club’s 86th annual 4th of July Festival which takes place Thursday through Sunday, July 3-6, at Melas Park on Central Road, just east of Busse Road.

Latin Music Day performers include Mike Dangeroux and the Tropics playing reggae at 3 p.m., the classic Cuban sounds of Los Perros Cubanos at 5 p.m., Jose Valdes and the Mambo All-Stars with Latin dance music at 7 p.m., and Rico!, described as a Latin multi-mix similar to Santana, at 9 p.m.

Also new this year will be a free shuttle bus from the parking lot to the fairgrounds and the addition of a Cigar Heaven vendor booth.

The festival is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and offerings, including a pancake breakfast and bake sale from 7 to 11 a.m. Friday, July 4, nightly onstage entertainment, its two nights of fireworks (9:30 p.m. Wednesday and Friday) and its offerings of “pay-one-price ride bracelet” times for carnival rides. The wristbands will be available every time the fair is open, except Friday and Sunday nights.

The village of Mount Prospect’s Fourth of July Parade will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, July 4, stepping off from the corner of Emerson Street and Prospect Avenue and continuing on Central Road to Melas Park.

Apart from Latin Music Day, featured entertainers at the festival will include One of These Nights at 9:15 p.m. Thursday, The Mix at 10 p.m. Friday, and, on Saturday, Jay Goeppner & Backdated at 6, One of the Boyzz at 7:30, and Infinity at 9:15 p.m.

There will be a variety of food, soft drinks, beer, wine and canned cocktails available for purchase, with no tickets required.

All proceeds from the annual event will go to charity, according to Jill Friedrichs, this year’s fair chairwoman.

Admission is free. For details and a complete schedule of events, visit mplions.org.