Food, fun and music from the '80s top the bill at Septemberfest
Septemberfest in Schaumburg may date its roots to 1970, but it will feel like the '80s when the main stage entertainment opens on Saturday night.
Loverboy, one of the iconic bands from the era opens at 8:30 p.m., bringing hits like "Just Getting Started," and "Working for the Weekend," featured in the classic Saturday Night Live skit, with Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze.
Sounds from the '80s continue at 8:30 p.m. Sunday night, when singer Richard Marx takes the stage, with his hits, "Don't Mean Nothing," "Should've Known Better," and "Endless Summer Nights."
Blues singer Lonnie Brooks closes the festival, with his 8:30 p.m. show on Monday. The veteran of the Chicago Blues Fest is the only returning main stage act this year, though he hasn't performed in Schaumburg for a number of years, officials said. But Septemberfest offers much more than big name entertainment. The 38th annual Labor Day festival - with free admission and entertainment - runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday.
"We try to pack in as much family entertainment as we can," says Septemberfest Chairman Bill Boyle, "so that families make a day of it." According to the fest's Web site, www.septebmerfest.org, it annual fall attraction brings 250,000 visitors over the three days.
He acknowledges that if its nationally known main stage entertainment is the hook, the meat and potatoes, so to speak, are the food vendors, featured in the Taste of Schaumburg.
Some two dozen Schaumburg restaurants serve up specialties, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, that go beyond the typical festival menus. They range from Bing Bang shrimp from Bonefish Grill, to bacon-wrapped chicken from Texas de Brazil, to chocolate fondue from the Melting Pot.
New restaurants on board this year include Rosebud, John Barleycorn's, Heat, Mario's, and Dosti's Bar and Restaurant, all in Schaumburg, while Lou Malnatti's continues to be one of the biggest draws, with its deep dish pizzas made in ovens on site.
Monday's food tent will be filled with nonprofit groups, Scouts, and athletic team boosters selling food and beverages to raise money for their programs.
Another highlight on Monday is the Septemberfest parade, which steps off at 10 a.m. and heads north on Summit Drive. Organizing officials caution that the number of units this year was decreased, because the staging area on Wise Road being under construction.
However, it still will feature nearly 60 units, including marching bands from Conant and Schaumburg high schools, as well as the West Leyden High School jazz band. Parade entries will design their floats around the parade's circus theme, and the "Greatest Show in Schaumburg."
A traditional Arts & Crafts Fair opens the fair each day, featuring 265 vendors and all selling only handmade goods. Their booths stretch out across the municipal campus, and around the pond, making the setting as artistic as their wares.
Families also will find a carnival included in the festival, with nearly rides designed to entertain children and adults alike, as well as games and other attractions, like free pony rides and fireworks each night, starting at 10 p.m.
The Daily Herald Music Stage is set on the north end of the festival, and it showcases local entertainment, including school bands, dance schools and park district performance groups, as well as some contemporary jazz and light rock bands.
Schaumburg Septemberfest
Saturday through Monday at Schaumburg Municipal Center, 101 Schaumburg Court. Admission is free. Parking is limited; visitors encouraged to take one of six free shuttles, which will pick up passengers at corners in the neighborhood (please flag down the driver), plus at lots at three schools, Schaumburg High, Conant High, and Jane Addams.
SATURDAY, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Arts and Crafts, with new age folk music by Pat Surface
10 a.m.-Noon Rides for children with disabilities (register by calling (847) 884-0030)
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Crime prevention including fingerprinting, pictures with McGruff, Schaumburg Police Department
10:30 a.m. Schaumburg Park District Dance Troupe, Daily Herald music stage
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Taste of Schaumburg
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Fire Safety Trailer
Noon Jason Kollum, juggler, dining tent stage
Noon Golden's School of Dance, Daily Herald music stage
Noon-9 p.m. Bingo (must be 18)
Noon-5 p.m. Free pony rides
Noon-10 p.m. Carnival
1:15 p.m. The Noteables, Daily Herald music stage
1:30-2:30 p.m. Jason Kollum, juggler, strolling
2-4 p.m. Top 40 rock acoustic side show, dining tent music stage
2:30 p.m. Dist. 54 Orchestra, Daily Herald music stage
3:15 p.m. Dist. 54 Keller Band, Daily Herald music stage
4 p.m. Dist. 54 Mead Band, Daily Herald music stage
5:30 p.m. One2Many, contemporary rock and jazz, Daily Herald music stage
6 p.m. Backstage Pass, '70s and '80s hits, main stage
8 p.m. Loverboy, main stage
10 p.m. Fireworks
SUNDAY, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Arts and Crafts, with new age folk music by Pat Surface
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wristband day; all rides $18
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Crime prevention including fingerprinting, pictures with McGruff, Schaumburg Police Department
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Taste of Schaumburg
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Fire Safety Trailer
11 a.m. Schaumburg Park District belly dancing, Daily Herald music stage
11:30 a.m. Schaumburg Park District Time Travelers Theatre Ensemble, Daily Herald music stage
Noon Jason Kollum, juggler, dining tent stage
Noon-9 p.m. Bingo (must be 18)
Noon-5 p.m. Free pony rides
Noon Dorothy's Dancing Unlimited, Daily Herald music stage
1:30 p.m. Dist. 54 Addams Band, Daily Herald music stage
1:30-2:30 p.m. Jason Kollum, juggler, strolling
2-4 p.m. The Neverly Brothers, dining tent stage
2:30 p.m. Dist. 54 Frost Band, Daily Herald music stage
3:15 p.m. Jazzercise Dance Show, Daily Herald music stage
4 p.m. Schaumburg Park District Shaolin Kung Fu, Daily Herald music stage
4:30 p.m. Schaumburg Park District Community Singers, Daily Herald music stage
5:30 p.m. From the Bridge On (NIU students, contemporary music), Daily Herald music stage
6 p.m. C-Factor, pop rock, main stage
8:30 p.m. Richard Marx, main stage
10 p.m. Fireworks Sky Concert
MONDAY, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Arts and Crafts, with new age folk music by Pat Surface starting at 10 a.m.
9 a.m.-9 p.m. Not-For-Profit Day selling food and beverages
9 a.m.-9 p.m. Carnival; all rides $18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
10 a.m. Parade. Goes north on Summit Drive from Hartford to Stock Port Lane (this route is for this year only because of construction on Wise Road)
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Crime prevention including fingerprinting, pictures with McGruff, Schaumburg Police Department
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Fire Safety Trailer
Noon-5 p.m. Free pony rides
Noon-9 p.m. Bingo (must be 18)
Noon Allegro Dance Troupe, Daily Herald music stage
1 p.m. Midwest Performing Arts, Daily Herald music stage
1 p.m. Mike Mauthe, children's performer, dining tent stage
2 p.m. Curbside, tope 40 acoustic rock, dining tent stage
2 p.m. Parade awards, Daily Herald music stage
2:30 p.m. Dist. 54 Early Instrumental students, Daily Herald music stage
2:30-3:30 p.m. Mike Mauthe, children's performing, strolling
2-4 p.m. Ken Schultz, children's performer, strolling
3:30 p.m. Mayer School of Irish Dance, Daily Herald music stage
4 p.m. Schaumburg Park District folk guitar, Daily Herald music stage
5 p.m. Prize drawing, Jaycees booth
5 p.m. Mojo Hand, fuse rock and R&B, main stage
5:30 p.m. The Green Light Go's, classic to current rock, Daily Herald music stage
7:30 p.m. Lonnie Brooks Blues Band, main stage
9 p.m. Fireworks