Coon Creek Country Days: Kickin' it up a notch in Hampshire
Hampshire's popular summertime celebration, the 36th Coon Creek Country Days, opens a four-day run Thursday, ushering in a variety of events and entertainment sure to please all.
"This year is going to be the best one to date," says Carl Palmisano, president of Coon Creek Country Days. "We've added exciting must-see events and made big improvements to some of the community's favorites."
More country bands have been added to the live music lineup plus plenty of classic rock. The fun kicks off with Disco Night from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday featuring The Shagadelics. Come dressed in your favorite '70s outfit and get into the beer garden for free. The concert is dedicated to Rose Bihun, longtime Hampshire resident and '70s music fan, who lost her battle with pancreatic cancer last year.
"The whole town can celebrate Coon Creek Country Days in a way Rose would have loved, with her favorite music," said her husband, Mike Bihun.
Tickets for a 50/50 drawing will be on sale during the concert to benefit PurpleStride, a nationwide walk event dedicated to ending pancreatic cancer.
No matter when you visit, there's a full list of things to do. Watch as local backyard barbecue warriors compete for the title in an all-new BBQ cook-off, complete with trophy and cash prizes.
Bingo fans can drop in for a round or two of bingo, a new event presented by Hampshire/Burlington VFW Post 8043. The grand parade is bigger and better than ever thanks to new additions including Ronald McDonald, Navy Band Great Lakes, Medinah Shriners and the Crystal Lake Strikers.
To top it off, the fireworks extravaganza has grown and is synchronized to patriotic music.
The carnival will be in full swing with attractions for all ages, along with a petting zoo and free pony rides.
Stop by the corn boil for one of 4,000 ears of sweet corn on the cob. Local food vendors offer loads of tasty treats, offering everything from barbecue, corn dogs, cheese curds and funnels cakes to Mexican and Italian favorites. Early Sunday morning, head to Hampshire Middle School for the Lions Club pancake breakfast and the Coon Creek Classic Walk/Run.
Festival hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday; 6 p.m. to midnight Friday; 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday on State Street one block south of Allen Road.
Visit hcccd.com.
Coon Creek Country Days
When: 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: The fairgrounds on State Street, one-half block south of Allen Road, in downtown Hampshire.
Sunday highlights • Pony rides (Sunday) at Tower Hill Stables, 12N254 Tower Road, Hampshire.
• Lions Club pancake breakfast at Hampshire Middle School, 560 S. State St.
• Coon Creek Classic at Hampshire Middle School.
• Grand parade begins at Warner Street and Washington Avenue.
Featuring: Food vendors, crafters, beer garden, carnival, pony rides, petting zoo, fireworks, BBQ cook-off, bingo, corn boil. Bands are Back Country Roads, Friday Jackson, Hillbilly Rockstarz, The MacCartyns with The Relics, Modern Day Romeos, The Shagadelics, Stateline Band and Zack Baumgartner + Tyler Dombrowski.
Admission: Free admission to the fairgrounds; $2 admission to the beer garden with free admission Thursday night for those who dress in their favorite '70s threads.
SOURCE: hcccd.com