Jamboree Days revives Carpentersville’s summer fest tradition

When Jamboree Days music fest returns to Carpentersville after a long hiatus, the event’s headliners will be the venerable rock bands The Ides of March and The Buckinghams, organizers said.

The free two-day event will feature a full music lineup from 4:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, in Carpenter Park, augmented by food vendors that include Duke’s BBQ, Randall Roadhouse, No Manches, Juanita’s Antojitos, Da Wing Whip, and C’Snacks.

There also will be a Jamboree Days Talent Showcase for ages 5 to 14.

Friday’s performance list features Scuba-kin, The Mike Wheeler Band, The Outfit and headliner Buckcherry, who scored a hit in 2000 with “Lit Up.”

Taking the stage Sunday are Sparks Fly, The Taylor Swift Experience, Lewzinit, The Buckinghams, and The Ides of March featuring Jim Peterik, who founded both that band and Survivor.

The Ides of March formed in 1964, and original members Peterik, Larry Millas, Bob Bergland and Mike Borch are still performing. They’re best known for their 1970 hit “Vehicle.”

Band member Scott May, who joined in 1990, said that classic song has been performed all over the world and by singers as diverse as Sammy Davis Jr. and Tom Jones.

“Both of those guys did great, rocking versions,” May said, speaking in a phone interview.

It’s transcended the decades too, he said. A 2023 YouTube video showed a high school in Japan performing the song, and it gained a lot of attention when Bo Bice performed it during the fourth season of “American Idol.”

“We’ve heard it done in polka,” May said. “There are some versions that are, shall we say, ‘interesting.’ We’ve seen other bands that smashed it up. They are great. We like to see it. … We want to hear people do great versions of our music.”

After the Ides went on hiatus in 1973, Peterik co-founded Survivor in 1978. In its early days, they played at Elgin High School’s prom before chalking up Peterik-penned hits like “Eye of the Tiger,” “High on You” and “I Can’t Hold Back.”

The Ides got back together in 1990 when they agreed to perform at a fest in their hometown of Berwyn, May said.

“It was supposed to be a one-shot deal but it was so fun. Everyone enjoyed it so much. Then we got a couple of more gigs and we’ve been at it ever since,” he said.

May was in high school with some of the Ides’ original members and even played in the same high school band. He remembers being shocked when they hit with “Vehicle.”

“All of a sudden, they are on TV and have a hit record,” he said. “They were on WLS (radio). And they were rock stars. In 1970, it was a jarring thing. I looked up to these guys.”

Getting Peterik’s call 20 years later to play with the band was an honor, May said.

“Even now, I look around and say, ‘Wait a minute, I’m with the Ides of March,’” said May, noting that they will also being doing other Peterik-penned songs, including .38 Special’s “Caught Up in You” and things he’s written with Sammy Hagar. “You come to see us, and it’s like seeing a couple of different bands.”

Joining them are The Buckinghams, another Chicago-based band that scored in the ’60s with songs like, “Kind of a Drag,” “Don’t You Care,” “Susan” and “Hey Baby (They’re Playing Our Song).”

“They’re great musicians and great friends,” May said. “It’s going to be a really great show. We can’t wait to get to Carpentersville.”

Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The (Elgin) Courier-News.

• • •

Jamboree Days

When: 4:30-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7; and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8

Where: Carpenter Park, 275 Maple Ave., Carpentersville

Music lineup: Friday: Scuba-Kin at 4:30 p.m., The Mike Wheeler Band at 5:30 p.m., The Outfit at 7:30 p.m., and Buckcherry at 9 p.m.; and Saturday: Sparks Fly: The Taylor Swift Experience at 2 p.m., Lewzinit at 4:30 p.m., The Buckinghams at 6:30 p.m., and The Ides of March Featuring Jim Peterik at 8 p.m.

Vendors: Duke’s BBQ; The Flying Brisquet; La Chilanguita-Elgin (Mexican street food), Pancitas Food Truck (Mexican street food); Doggie's Concessions (classic fair food); C'Snacks (Ice cream, desserts and more); Knights of Columbus; Mr. Tacomex Grill (Mexican favorites, fusion specialties); Da Wing Whip (crispy wings); No Manches Mexican Grill; BG Pizzeria; Lions Club; Randall Roadhouse; Juanita's Antojitos Restaurant; Churros y Chocolate Inc. (churros); and LaChona & La China Food Truck

Admission: Free

Details: cville.org/627/Jamboree-Days or facebook.com/JamboreeDays60110/.