Lake in the Hills Summer Sunset Festival features three days of music, a parade, and fireworks

The annual end-of-season celebration returns with the Lake in the Hills’ Summer Sunset Festival on Friday to Sunday, Aug. 29-31 in Sunset Park. It features three days of live music, carnival rides, food and drink vendors, a car show, community picnic, parade, and more. It is capped off with Sunday's finale fireworks.

Festival hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road. Food vendors include Cousins Maine Lobster, Midwest Smoke Barbecue, Mr. Taco Mex Grill, The Other Side, Genoa Italian Concessions, Ice Cream Paradise, Frozen Dreamz, Midwest Citrus Smashers, and more.

Classic car show

The Classic/Custom Car Show is held in a new location this year, at the Sunset Skate Park on the corner of Miller and Haligus roads, from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday. There is a $10 per entry (cash or Zelle accepted). Registration continues through 5:30 p.m. with the awards ceremony around 8:30 p.m. There will be 25 awards including Best in Show for Stock and Best in Show for Modified. In addition to music from DJ JP Car Shows, two dedicated food trucks will be on site, Smash N’ Roll (burgers, chips) and Citrus Sisters (fresh squeezed lemonade).

Parade and picnic

The second day of the festival kicks off with the Sunset Fest Parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, featuring a variety of performances, including bands, martial arts groups, dance groups, colorful floats, clowns, and more. The parade will start at the Sunset Skate Park on Miller Road and end at the main parking lot of Sunset Park, near the ball field and tennis courts.

It will be followed by the Community Picnic from noon to 3:30 p.m. Enjoy family bingo or classic picnic games.

Sunset Market

On Sunday, between noon and 7 p.m., stop by the Sunset Market where you can meet and connect with local artisans, crafters, and businesses. Browse through a variety of one-of-a-kind and handmade products, crafts, and services while enjoying food and drinks.

Also on Sunday, there are an Axe Throw Inflatable and Mini Golf 9-Hole Inflatable from noon to 4 p.m. Character Meet-n-Greets with Glinda and Elphaba from Wicked from 1 to 4 p.m.

Entertainment stage

The three days of live music features everything from high-energy party bands to funky grooves and classic rock favorites.

On Friday, kick off the festival with Modern Day Romeos’ high-energy mix of Motown, rock, 1980s, '90s, and today’s hits from 8 to 10:30 p.m.

On Saturday, the entertainment stage will open with Midwest Dueling Pianos from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Afterward, join No Turn On Red where funky grooves meet New Orleans brass from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Get dressed up for a neon 1980s dance party packed with rock, new wave, and nostalgia when the The Jolly Ringwalds take the stage at 6:30 p.m.

Headliners The Disco Circus will offer a disco/funk tribute with circus-style showmanship and nonstop grooves at 9 p.m.

On Sunday, The PriSSillas, a “classy rock” band blending Led Zeppelin, Green Day, Dolly Parton, and more, will perform at 3 p.m.

Before In The Stix returns to the festival with their modern country hits and classics at 5:30 p.m., join in Kickin’ It With Carol line dancing lessons from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

The festival will close with ARRA, a classic rock cover band known for their precision and vocal harmonies, from 8 to 9:30 p.m., followed by the fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.

Need to cool off with a libation? Stop by the beer tent, hosted this year by the People for Parks Foundation of Lake in the Hills. One dollar wristbands for 21 or older are required.

Carnival

Windy City Amusements is offering unlimited carnival ride specials for $35 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday; it will be $30 from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Learn more at summersunsetfest.com.