The one-time experiment known as Itasca Fest celebrating 20 years

Posted July 08, 2009 11:00 pm

By Elisabeth Mistretta

Special discounts on carnival rides will be available Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at Itasca Fest. Daily Herald file photo

What started as a one-time experiment 20 years ago in Itasca has grown into a popular annual tradition.

Itasca Fest, which opens today and continues through Sunday in Washington Park, was launched in 1990 by the Itasca Lions Club as part of the village's centennial celebration.

It was such a hit, said Lion Dan Kompanowski, that club members and village officials decided to keep the fest going.

"We just really like to thank the people of Itasca who not only want it but really support it," Kompanowski said.

The fest attracts anywhere from 25,000 to 50,000 people, organizers say, depending on the weather. It includes food, a carnival, live music and Bingo on all four days, and sprinkles other special attractions such as a classic car show, children's entertainment and a basketball tournament throughout the event.

"There's really something for everybody," Kompanowski said.

A special exhibit will return this year that visited the fest in 2007, NASA's Journey to Tomorrow. Housed inside a trailer that is more than 50 feet long, the exhibit features artifacts from various space flights, moon rocks, details about space craft operations, and a chance to have a computerized picture taken that looks like you are in space.

"It's just a great exhibit," said Kompanowski, "It went over so huge, we asked to get it back this year."

Other special exhibits include Lester's Learn 'n' Play children's activities on Saturday and Sunday, which includes magic, stilt-walking and balloons.

Children have a chance to win prizes, too, by participating in the police department's Cop Card program, which encourages youths to obtain "autographs" from police officers to qualify for a prize drawing. The drawing is on the last day of Itasca Fest and will include prizes such as an Xbox, iPod, bicycles, pizza party, Red Robin gift card and more. Police will be on site for autographs from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday in the children's entertainment tent.

Registration is also open for the Fest 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament on Friday for youth teams ages 9-17 and Saturday for Men's Open, Men's Ages 30 and older and Women's Open. The cost is $50 per team for youth teams and $75 per team for adult teams. Each participant will receive a tournament T-shirt. To register, call Itasca Park District at (630) 773-2257 or visit itascaparkdistrict.com.

All proceeds from Itasca Fest benefit the Itasca Lions Club and its mission to help prevent blindness. The organization donates to causes that support its mission throughout the state, as well as to local groups such as little league teams.

All sorts of food will be available this weekend at Itasca Fest. Paul Michna | 2006

A carnival will run all weekend as part of Itasca Fest, which opens today, including the fun slide. Paul Michna | 2006

Itasca Fest The festival runs from today through Sunday at Washington Park, Irving Park Road and Rush Street. Includes live music, food, carnival, antique flea market, pony rides, basketball tournament and more. Admission and parking are free. Visit <a href="http://www.itasca.com" target="new">itasca.com</a>. THURSDAY 6 to 9 p.m. NASA Journey to Tomorrow exhibit on Bloomingdale Road 6 to 10:30 p.m. Indoor cash Bingo; Carnival hand stamp special 6 to 11 p.m. Food vendors 7 to 10:30 p.m. South of Disorder, Jimmy Buffet tribute FRIDAY 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Youth 3-on-3 basketball tournament 6 to 9 p.m. NASA Journey to Tomorrow exhibit 6 to 11 p.m. Indoor cash Bingo 6 p.m. to midnight Carnival rides and games; food vendors 7 to 9 p.m. Sammy Ray featuring Texas Flood, blues music 10:30 p.m. to midnight Mike & Joe, alternative and modern rock SATURDAY 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Antique flea market in Usher Park 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult 3-on-3 basketball tournament 9 a.m. to noon Guinness book of World Records Subaru parade Noon to 5 p.m. Lester's Learn 'n' Play children's activities; Itasca Police Department Cop Card signing Noon to 8 p.m. NASA Journey to Tomorrow exhibit Noon to midnight Food vendors 1 to 11 p.m. Indoor cash Bingo 2 to 5 p.m. DJ Terry Salat, music and karaoke 2 to 6 p.m. Children's entertainment, pony rides and petting zoo 8 to 9:30 p.m. Kashmir, Led Zepplin tribute 10:30 p.m. to midnight Arra, 80s rock tribute SUNDAY Noon Itasca Police Cop Card Awards Noon to 5 p.m. Lester's Learn and Play children's activities Noon to 8 p.m. NASA Journey to Tomorrow exhibit Noon to 11 p.m. Food vendors 1 to 4 p.m. Itasca Health Fair in the Itasca Park District gym 1 to 5 p.m. Carnival hand stamp special 1 to 9 p.m. Indoor cash Bingo 2 to 5 p.m. DJ Terry Salat, music and karaoke 2 to 6 p.m. Classic Car show on Bloomingdale Road, near Usher Park; Children's entertainment, pony rides and petting zoo 6 to 8 p.m. Heartache tonight, Eagles tribute 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. American English, Beatles tribute

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