Final preparations being made for Palatine's Hometown Fest

Preparations are in the home stretch for the Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest, which kicks off Friday in Community Park and runs through Independence Day.

The 61st annual edition of the festival will feature the usual array of food, live music, carnival rides and games, and a craft and business expo. The fun for the general public begins at 5 p.m. Friday, though as is tradition, the Jaycees will host the Kathleen A. Blanck Memorial Carnival from 1 to 3 p.m. that day, when the carnival will host visitors with special needs.

The festival parade will step off at 11 a.m. Saturday near Cedar and Wood streets, then travel south on Cedar to Slade Street, east on Slade to Brockway Street, and north on Brockway to Wood Street.

Fireworks are set for about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, with the festival wrapping up on July 4.

For more information and a complete schedule, visit palatinejaycees.org/hometown-fest/.