Take a wild ride at Hampshire's Coon Creek Country Days

Rides like Ring of Fire and The Hurricane should shake things up as a new carnival comes to Hampshire's annual Coon Creek Country Days festival, which opens Thursday, July 30 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 2.

"The rides will absolutely add to the midway. It's much larger than what it was," said Carl Palmisano, president of the Coon Creek Committee. "It's more kid-oriented and should definitely bring more families out."

The number of attractions at the carnival, now provided by North American Midway Entertainment, has increased from 20 to 25 rides. The midway will center the festival, located in Hampshire's Bruce Ream Park.

Live music on Friday evening will be headlined by Brian Lavender. Saturday entertainment will be split by the 8:30 p.m. fireworks display with Arra playing before and Modern Day Romeos headlining afterward.

And along with a carnival, parade, and corn boil, organizers continue to expand the range of events.

"This year we're trying something a little different," Palmisano said. "We've got a couple little raffles going on." Visitors will have the option to buy tickets to win trips to places like Walt Disney World and Las Vegas.

But the festival is not aimed only for thrill seekers and vacationers - it's about giving back to the community.

"The whole idea is to raise money and after all the costs of setup, whatever we have left over we donate to charities in need," Palmisano said.

And after a rough outing last summer due to poor weather, Palmisano remains optimistic the celebration will garner sufficient funds to give back to community organizations like the Burlington Hampshire Food Pantry.

Palmisano said he is "keeping (his) fingers crossed" for good weather and banking on their high-end entertainment and the Saturday fireworks display.

The festival also will feature nearly 100 entries in the annual parade at noon on Sunday.

"My favorite part is the parade," said Village President Jeff Magnussen. "It's great to see everyone in the community come out. And after the parade is the free corn boil - it's wonderful."

The all-you-can-eat sweet corn will be boiled with a 1914 Minneapolis steam engine that is used every year.

Magnussen said he is excited to see the community pulsing with pride.

"Everybody is out and about; you see all the garage sales from people in town, everyone even seems to clean up a little more," Magnussen said. "People in the community take pride in having people from all over come into town for four days."

The festival runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 30; 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 31; 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Aug. 1; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2. For information visit www.hcccd.com/.

If you go

What: Hampshire Coon Creek Country Days

When: 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 30; 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 31; 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Aug. 1; and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday Aug. 2

Where: Bruce Ream Park, 368 Terwilliger Ave., Hampshire

Admission: Free

Details: <a href="http://www.hcccd.com">www.hcccd.com</a>