Algonquin's Founders' Days growing in popularity, attendance

Posted July 22, 2009 11:00 pm

By David Teeghman Daily Herald Staff

"Head down and never stop paddling" is the form used by Russell Cardelli, 18, of Algonquin, middle, to earn a second-place finish as part of last year's Algonquin Founders' Days Cardboard Boat Regatta. John Starks | 2008

One of the largest events of the year is coming to Algonquin in the form of the Algonquin Founders' Days.

The festival returns to Towne Park with a couple of new events, and all the usual events the public has come to love over the years: the Taste of Founders', the social garden, the parade and petting zoo.

"It's nice that you can go down to all the kid's activities and fireworks for free, because we really aren't trying to make a buck," Founders' Days president Kevin Myers said.

The two most popular attractions at the festival each year are its parade and fireworks show.

Event organizers estimate the number of attendees this year will be about 7,000, but an aerial estimate done in 2005 pinpointed the number of people who watch the fireworks show at about 20,000.

"We spend so much money on those fireworks that we want to know that more than just the 1,500 or 2,000 people in the park are watching the show," Myers said.

New to this year's carnival are the rides provided by the North American Midway Entertainment.

"The rides are bigger and more exciting than they've ever been, and really take us to the next level of carnival entertainment," Myers said.

That North American Midway Entertainment chose to supply Algonquin Founders' Days with its rides is a sign of the festival's growing popularity. Large carnival companies choose which festivals to set up their rides at based on its income potential at the fair; so the more foot traffic, the higher the income potential for the carnival ride companies.

The hours the carnival is open to the public changes each day of the festival, but while the carnival is not open all hours of the festival, the festival has lots of other things to do and see to entertain you.

One of the festival mainstays is the Little Mr. and Miss Pageant.

According to the festival's Web site, the "pageant's focus is public speaking and the ability to present oneself," for kids between the ages of 5 and 7, and another bracket for kids ages 8 through 12.

"It really gives young kids a chance to get involved with the festival, because they can get on the main stage and be part of the parade," Myers said.

And while this year's Taste of Chicago is a thing of the past, the Taste of Founders' will be replete with great food from all around Algonquin.

Georgio's Pizza will be there to serve its deep dish slices, Lee Concessions will offer an assortment of Chinese Foods; there will be the American Legion with all its kebabs, andseveral other vendors.

Founders' Days has been reinvented many times into different types of festivals, which can be expected for a festival that has been around for nearly a half-century. For a short period during the late 1970s, the festival was actually something of a biker's festival, lining the streets of Algonquin with all types of motorcycles.

Since Myers took over 15 years ago, the festival's popularity has grown while he has kept it a family-focused fair.

"We don't get away from the idea of what a local festival is all about, which is giving the public inexpensive family fun," Myers said.

The festival begins today, July 23, and runs through Sunday, July 26. For details, check the schedule of events on page (X); call (847) 658-5340 or go to the festival's Web site at algonquinfoundersdays.com.

Anthony Guerrero of Grand Rental Station sets up one of the tents for last year's Algonquin Founders' Days festival. Brian Hill | 2008

Dressed as a cheetah, Scarlet, a 10-year-old teacup Yorkie of Algonquin, participates in the dog and cat show at last year's Algonquin Founders' Days festival. Brian Hill | 2008

Victor Santos, a cook for Ruby Tuesday, grills some ribs and burgers at Algonquin Founders' Days two years ago. Brian Hill | 2007

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=308388">More than 300 volunteers plan and run the festival[7/23/09]</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> 49th annual Algonquin Founders' Days When: 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 23; 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday, July 24; 1 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 26 Where: Towne Park, 100 Jefferson St., Algonquin How much? $4 for adults, $2 for kids, free on Sunday. Details: Call (847) 658-5340 or go to its Web site at <a href="http://algonquinfoundersdays.com" target="new">algonquinfoundersdays.com</a> Founders' Days by the numbers 14: Number of vendors. 383: Volunteers last year. 49: Number of consecutive years this festival has been running; it has never missed a year. 15: Years Kevin Myers has been president. 124: Number of entries in the parade. $4: Price of a 16-ounce beer at the festival. $40,000: The festival's 1995 budget $175,000: This year's festival budget. 200: Barrels of beer Miller distributor brings in.

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