Gilberts Community Days features carnival, concerts and classic cars

Posted May 21, 2026 12:58 pm

Submitted by Gilberts Community Days

Gilberts Community Days on May 28-31 has something for everyone with live music on stage, free children's activities including a petting zoo, a carnival full of rides and games, a classic car show, and more. Admission is free.

On Thursday, May 28, it will be open with the carnival preview night from 6 to 10 p.m. at Town Square Park, 195 Jackson St. Festival hours continue from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 29; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 30; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 31.

The main stage entertainment will open at 5 p.m. Friday with Sal & The Snapbacks, a Gilberts area group bringing the energy with 1990s-2000s pop, punk and rock hits, and No More Tears, an Ozzy Osbourne tribute, at 6:30 p.m., followed by the headliner and classic rock favorite ARRA at 8:30 p.m.

On Saturday, the Abby Kay Band will open a blend of music from rock, country, blues and pop at 1:30 p.m., followed by Fearless, a Taylor Swift tribute, at 4 p.m. Whiskey Friends will perform your Morgan Wallen favorites at 6 p.m. followed by headliner Tennessee Whiskey, a tribute to Chris Stapleton, at 8:30 p.m.

Tennessee Whiskey, showcasing Chris Stapleton’s music, will headline on Saturday, May 30, at Gilberts Community Days. Courtesy of Tennessee Whiskey

The festival will close out on Sunday with The Fishin’ Buddies playing Chicago blues classics, roots rock, and original music at 1:30 p.m., followed by Petty Kings, a tribute to Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, at 4 p.m. and American English playing the Beatles at 6 p.m.

For its second year, the festival is hosting a Craft & Artisan Market, featuring over 40 vendors, will be 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Check out the vendors offering baked goods, sourdoughs, honey, body care, candles, jewelry, crystals, trucker hat bar, apparel, art and 3D prints, woodwork and more.

The Kids Zone will be open from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with a petting zoo from Sunshine Farms II and the Children’s Craft & Activity Tent. On Saturday, there will be Home Depot crafts and face painting by The Funky Brush & Palette. On Sunday, see JG’s Reptile Show at 12:45 p.m. or meet the costumed "Heroes" from The League of Enchantment, a 501(c)3 nonprofit with volunteers who bring joy to hospitalized children through visits of costumed characters and superheroes, delivering care packages.

American Legion Post 0679 will host an “Honor Guard Tribute to Veterans” at 3 p.m. Saturday. From noon to 4 p.m., play some games, see the gear, and try on some equipment with the Gilberts Police Department on Saturday and the Rutland Dundee Fire Protection District on Sunday.

The Classic Car Show opens at 9 a.m. Sunday in the parking lots of Cruisin’ Bar & Eatery, 11 Galligan Road, and Pub 72, 38 E. Higgins Road. For registration, contact DJ Rudy Kay at (224) 587-6803.

There will be food offerings from Pub 72, Cruisin' Bar & Eatery, Blackhawk BBQ & Seafood, Yolk’s Corner Cantina Grill, Midwest Citrus Smashers, Knights of Columbus, Cousins Maine Lobster, Burnt Oak, and Mom’s Delight.

The carnival offers unlimited rides for $35 or $30 on Thursday evening.

There will be additional parking and free shuttle service available from Town Center Park to the festival grounds at Town Square Park on May 29-31.

For more information, visit gilbertscommunitydays.com or facebook.com/gilbertscommunitydays.