Curtain rising on Roselle's Rose Fest

A festival by any other name wouldn't be nearly as sweet.

Or something like that.

Roselle's annual Rose Festival opens at 6 p.m. Thursday and continues through Sunday in the village's train station parking lot at Irving Park Road and Maple Avenue.

Organizers say they're expecting thousands to attend the party, sponsored by the Roselle Lions Club, which will feature an assortment of carnival rides, food and music by groups such as Raised on Radio, Mason Rivers, LAVA Rock and Prairie Surfers.

Admission is free.

The 55th annual Rose Parade, meanwhile, will step off at 2 p.m. Sunday from the corner of Roselle Road and Devon Avenue.