Downers Grove Rotary GroveFest returns with new Family Zone and four days of live music
Downers Grove Rotary GroveFest is introducing a dedicated Family Zone this year, along with live music, a carnival, car show, and more this weekend.
The festival will be 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, June 25; 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, June 26; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 27; and noon to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, June 28. Admission to the entertainment area and beer garden is $5 for ages 16 or older. Get unlimited carnival rides with North American Midway Entertainment. Discounted wristbands are available for $32 through midnight June 24 via rotarygrovefest.com/midway-carnival/.
The Family Zone
During the day, kids can enjoy fun crafts and hands-on activities designed to spark creativity and keep little ones entertained while families enjoy the festival atmosphere.
The Family Zone also will feature a photo booth where families and friends can capture memories from 1 to 9 p.m. Friday to Sunday.
Whether you're bringing toddlers, teens, or grandparents, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to stop by the Family Zone and make some memories!
From 1 to 5 p.m. Friday and Sunday, there will be crafts sponsored by Indian Boundary YMCA. On Saturday, TAP: Art+Craft Studio offers crafts from 1-5 p.m.
Live music
The music stage opens at 6:15 p.m. Thursday with Grungeworthy performing all your favorite 1990s alt-rock and grunge hits. The Blooze Brothers are bringing their legendary energy to Rotary Grove Fest at 8:30 p.m.
Friday night is going to be loud. Reckless hits the stage at 5 p.m., bringing the biggest rock anthems and party hits of the 1980s, ’90s and today. From “Whole Lotta Love” and “Don’t Stop Believin’” to “Mr. Brightside,” “Livin’ on a Prayer,” and more, this is the kind of setlist that keeps the crowd singing all night long.
Valius brings the soundtrack for a perfect summer night at 7:15 p.m. with hits inspired by Led Zeppelin, Tom Petty, Foo Fighters, The Killers, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, and more.
Then put on your dancing shoes for the Modern Day Romeos from 9:30 to 11 p.m.
On Saturday, Dirty Donuts, a curator of classic music who’s been DJing around the Chicago area for more than 20 years, from noon to 3 p.m. You can often catch him spinning 45s at The Foxtail and Cadence Kitchen in Downers Grove.
Following a stint in Nashville where he wrote and performed original songs every week, Eddie Andersen is now back home in Downers Grove playing shows in the Midwest featuring a mix of original music and R&B/Pop covers from artists like John Legend, John Mayer, and Allen Stone. He will be performing from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
American English will be taking the stage for a celebration of the music of The Beatles from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Whiskey Road, featuring a lineup of nine musicians including four lead vocalists, will perform country, southern, and classic rock favorites from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. 7th heaven will close the evening with singalongs, surprises, and their “30 Songs in 30 Minutes” medley from 9:30 to 11 p.m.
The stage will open at 12:30 p.m. Sunday with the Versafied Dance Company of VERSA5, a movement studio in Downers Grove. They will be followed by Bentley Academy of Irish Dance at 1 p.m.
Students with the Garage Band U Rock School in Downers Grove will perform from 1:45 to 3 p.m. The Downers Grove South Jazz Septet will perform jazz standards, jams, and more from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The student-led band from the Downers Grove South High School Honors Combo is made up of some of the best players in the area with seven performers, including drums, bass, guitar, vibraphone, sax, trumpet, and trombone.
Get ready for a night of Taylor Swift favorites, big singalongs, and all the eras with Fearless from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m.
The festival will close with Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press, playing hits from the 1980s, ’90s, 2000s, and today, from 8 to 9:30 p.m.
Festival of Cars
Sunday kicks off with the Festival of Cars from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is no preregistration to enter your car; three trophies will be awarded and there will be a split-the-pot.
Community worship
Join the community worship with Community Christian Church of Downers Grove at 10:30 a.m. Sunday on the main stage. There will be fun activities for the kids, live music, an inspiring message, plus free doughnuts and cold-brew coffee to kick off your morning.
All profits from the annual Rotary GroveFest go to many local, regional, national and international causes, including 27 nonprofits organizations that support causes in and around Downers Grove. Visit rotarygrovefest.com or facebook.com/DGRotary.
Parking
Parking, handicapped access locations and other amenities are located at various points around the downtown area. Please note that many streets within the festival will be closed or blocked before, after and during the event. No shuttle bus. For a map of the festival grounds, go to rotarygrovefest.com/parking-transportation/.