Elmfest is back
For 26 years, Elmfest has been bringing family entertainment, carnival rides and favorite food to downtown Elmhurst. This year's event boasts more food vendors, a local band's 20th reunion show and a lineup of tribute bands for a weekend of everyone's favorite music. Assistant City Editor Anne Halston asked Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry CEO John Quigley to tell us about the event located on York Street and Addison Avenue from First Street to Second Street; on First Street from York to Maple Avenue and on Schiller and First from York to Commerce Parkway. This is an edited transcript of the interview with Quigley, general chairperson of the Elmfest 2008 steering committee. Elmfest
Q. What's new this year?
A. We have several things that are new. Our continuing goal is bringing unique entertainment.
We have a half dozen of the top tribute bands. We'll have a Paul McCartney and Wings tribute, Band on the Run, on Friday; Britbeat, a British Invasion tribute, on Sunday; and four bands on Saturday: Pirates over 40, a Jimmy Buffett tribute, Thunder Road, a Bruce Springsteen tribute, Hot Rocks with a Rolling Stones tribute and the headliner is the Eagles tribute Heartache Tonight.
On Friday in the Suburban Bank and Trust and Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Entertainment Center, we have a group of Elmhurst guys - The Hideouts - doing their 20th reunion. They're all still playing in some form or fashion, but they haven't been together in that group for sometime. They want to go out with one big splash.
Q. What's everyone's favorite thing from year to year?
A. From the kids perspective - it's the carnival. We're the first festival after school lets out. It's time for the kids to let off some steam. The parents can let them go and know they're safe and they're supporting the Jaycees. The Jaycees use the carnival proceeds to support 20 charitable organizations in Elmhurst.
Q. Are there other attractions outside the entertainment area?
A. What we have done over a number of years now, is provide, thanks to our sponsors, a lot of free entertainment for families.
Harris Bank City Centre Stage features free entertainment; Larry Roesch Chrysler Jeep sponsors the climbing wall. Citibank sponsors Nascar-style Stock Car Racing; CARSTAR pony rides.
These are the kinds of neat things that 10 years ago parents would have to pay for. We've been able to make those attractions free. The other thing we've done is look for not-for-profit partnerships.
Thursday's entertainment center will have a $5 cover charge to benefit the District 205 Foundation for Educational Excellence.
On Saturday, for the first time, the carnival opens at 9 a.m. for special needs kids to ride free. The chamber, the Jaycees special committee and the carnival operator got together to work out the logistics. The carnival workers are all working for free.
Sunday in the entertainment center, the Elmhurst Noon Lions Club is doing their reverse raffle.
Q. What's your annual attendance?
A. Our goal is to get 20,000 people into downtown Elmhurst. It all depends on the weather.
Q. What groups are involved in organizing Elmfest?
A. Along with the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry, partners are the City of Elmhurst, the Elmhurst Park District, the Elmhurst Jaycees and Elmhurst College.
Q. What's the cost to enter?
A. There is a $1 cover charge for the entertainment center and food court. But you can go online to the chamber's Web site for a certificate to get in free. (The certificate is not good for Thursday night, though). There's no cover for the carnival, vendor area, City Centre Stage and all of the not-for profit booths and special free family attractions.
Q. What's the best place to park?
A. Parking is available along streets, the parking decks, surface lots or at Elmhurst College.
Q. Tell us about the food:
A. We have about eight new food vendors and many longtime regulars like the Bangkok House from Virginia for all 26 years, Chase Root Beer with black cows, a handful of new vendors offer things from brats and ribs and barbecue and Greek food and seafood. We even have a roasted nuts place coming in. All the food vendors are in the in a food court within the entertainment area. And that's where you can buy an adult beverage. The nice part of having them all together in a court is that people can see them all pretty quickly.
Q. Do you have a favorite thing about the festival?
A. It's all my favorite!
Q. Tell me about the carnival. How many rides & games?
A. There are about 15 large rides and a dozen little rides. There will be about 15 game booths.
Q. Do you know what the ticket cost will be?
A. The best value is the Megapass ($50) for all the rides you can ride. We have wristband specials for $20 for all you can ride for Thursday afternoon or Saturday afternoon. Q. What else should be know about Elmfest?
A. It's our 26th anniversary. This started out as only about a block long. Now we jam about as much into four blocks of area that you can jam in.
Q. What's the best source for more details?
A. www.elmfest.org
Elmfest
The festival runs from Thursday through Sunday in downtown Elmhurst. Call (630) 834-6060 or visit www.elmfest.org
THURSDAY
6 to 10 p.m. Carnival open
7 to 9 p.m. Whata 'Bout Bob?
FRIDAY
Noon to 10 p.m. Carnival open
6:30 to 8 p.m. Band on the Run
6:30 to 7 p.m. 26th Anniversary Opening Ceremonies/ECCI Civic Hall of Fame
7 to 9 p.m. Elmhurst College Jazz Band
8:30 to 10 p.m. The Hideouts/20th Anniversary Reunion
SATURDAY
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Carnival open
Noon to 1:30 p.m. Pirates Over 40
Noon to 12:45 p.m. Elmhurst Fire Department Poster Contest
1 to 1:45 p.m. Elmhurst Jaycees Pie Eating Contest
2 to 3 p.m. and 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Ac Rock
2 to 3:30 p.m. Second Time Around
4 to 5:30 p.m. Thunder Road
4:45 to 5:45 p.m. Scott Nev
6 to 7 p.m. Circus Boy
6 to 7:30 p.m. Hot Rocks
7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Justin Roberts
8 to 10 p.m. Heartache Tonight
SUNDAY
Noon to 5 p.m. Carnival open
Noon to 1:30 p.m. Closing Ceremonies/Mayor for the Day Contest
Noon to 1:30 p.m. The Associates
1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Elmhurst Noon Lions Club Reverse Raffle
1:30 to 5 p.m. Elmhurst Park District Dance Classes
2:30 to 4 p.m. BritBeat