Live music, car show, fireworks highlight Huntley Fall Fest
Huntley Fall Fest, now in its 21st year, features three days of live music, Pedal for Paws Car Show, carnival, kids’ entertainment and a fireworks display Saturday night.
Festival hours are 5-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at Deicke Park, off Route 47. Admission is free.
Shuttle service will be offered from 6-10 p.m. Saturday from Union Special parking lot to the festival site. For a map of parking locations, see huntleyfallfest.com.
Music stage
From 6:15-8:15 p.m. Friday, the Diffused Blues Band will open the FNBO Main Stage, mixing rock and blues classics with some original songs. 7th heaven, a festival favorite for four decades, will be headline opening night at 9 p.m.
On Saturday, Polly Says will kick off a full day of music with 1990s pop rock, pop punk, grunge and post-grunge at 1:45 p.m. Then 1, 2 Many Last Night will perform current country hits at 3:45 p.m.
Infinity will take the stage at 6:15 p.m., playing classic to current hits. The fireworks display starts at 8:45 p.m. And then headliner Lounge Puppets will follow at 9 p.m. with covers of 1980s hair band and arena rock.
Todd Donnelly, with the Mr. Myers Band he founded 45 years ago, will kick off the final day of the fest at noon Sunday. Cadillac Groove will take the stage at 2:15 p.m. with a mix of R&B, funk, rock, soul and blues. Anchors Away will bring the festival to a close with hits from the yacht-rock era from 5-7 p.m.
Kids’ entertainment
The Huntley Park District Raiderettes dancers will open the kids’ stage at 11 a.m. Saturday. Officers from the McHenry County Sheriff’s office will host demonstrations from noon to 1 p.m. Members of the Royalty Gymnastics, Tumble & Dance in Huntley will take the stage at 1 p.m. followed by the Algonquin Academy of Dance at 2 p.m.
The Culvers ice-cream-eating contest will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
On Sunday, the Huntley Cheer Association will open the stage at noon, followed by Dance Force at 1 p.m., and Royal Gymnastics at 2 p.m.
St. Mary’s Church is offering free scarecrow building from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The petting zoo returns until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Windy City Game Theatre offers kids the chance to play video games on 20 large screens from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It’s free; lines permitting, kids can play for 15-20 minutes.
Visit with Rumi from K-pop Demon Hunters from 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Rapunzel from 4-5 p.m. Sunday, courtesy of Parties with Character.
Check out the full-size miniature train display, courtesy of MD Trains, from 5-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the gym.
In addition, stop by the Tractor Show featuring generations of farm machinery from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Windy City Amusements will be providing a variety of carnival rides, games and carnival food. Unlimited rides are available for $35 from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, and $40 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sunday.
Pancake breakfast
Enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes offered by the Huntley Area Lions Club’s annual pancake breakfast from 7-11 a.m. Saturday in the Cosman Cultural Center cafeteria, 12015 Mill St. Admission is $12 and free for kids 12 and younger with a paying adult. The menu includes link sausage, applesauce, bakery goods, coffee, tea, juice and milk, as well as the pancake topping bar. Carryouts available.
There will be 50/50 raffles. All proceeds will fund community projects and programs to help the visually and hearing impaired.
Pedal for Paws Car Show
The Pedal for Paws Car Show returns for its 18th year from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
It is open to all vehicles 1989 or older and 1990 and newer modern American muscle cars. Registration is from 9-11 a.m. for $20 per vehicle. Parking is on grass and asphalt with plenty of shade; car clubs welcome. There will be 40 custom trophies with awards at 2 p.m.
There will be entertainment by 3D Sound and food from Boy Scout Troop 153. All of the proceeds will go to the care of shelter animals with the Animal Services & Assistance Program Inc., an all-volunteer 501(c)3 organization.
Craft & Home Business Show
The Craft & Home Business Show will feature handmade goods as well as holiday decor from Halloween to Christmas. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The community celebration is put on by the Huntley Fall Fest Committee, business sponsors, civic organizations and hundreds of volunteers. Learn more at huntleyfallfest.com or facebook.com/huntleyfallfest/.