Celebrate spring at the Des Plaines fun fair
The sixth annual Spring Fun Fair will be from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at Mountain View Adventure Center, 510 E. Algonquin Road and across the street in the Juno Lighting parking lot, in Des Plaines.
All activities, entertainment, and events are free to the public.
The popular Touch a Truck, sponsored by the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce, will be in the Juno Lighting parking lot. Kids of all ages are invited to get behind the wheel of big rigs, construction trucks, and road equipment; and explore fire engines, police cars, and emergency vehicles.
It is a hands-on opportunity that puts kids in the driver’s seat and teaches them about the Des Plaines’ public safety equipment.
The Pooch, Pet & Pedal Parade, sponsored by the Des Plaines City Special Events Commission begins at 11 a.m. with awards and prizes immediately following. Registration is from 10-11 a.m. in the parking lot of Mountain View Adventure Center.
Participants compete in 10 categories ranging from Best Theme and Best Dressed, to Best Helmet and Best Wheels.
The Izaak Walton League will be on hand for fishing tips, and young and experienced anglers alike can participate in catch and release fishing at the Mountain View Retention Ponds. Try your luck reeling in sunfish, blue gills, and large mouth bass.
Two popular attractions back this year are the bike Safety Town for young riders sponsored by Maine Township, and free bike helmets for the first 50 children who need them, sponsored by the Des Plaines Healthy Community Foundation.
Kids can also test their skills on the Lattof YMCA Climbing Wall and try their luck in an oversized, inflatable obstacle course sponsored by the Des Plaines Park District.
The park district will also be running a kids’ 100-yard dash at 11 a.m. on the Prairie Lakes field. Children will be divided into three age groups: 3-5, 6-9, and 10-13. Ribbons will be awarded for first-, second- and third-place in each age group.
New this year, the Friends of the Parks are sponsoring a Rubber Duck Race raffle. For $1, purchase a little quacker and watch as they tumble and race over the waterfall at Mountain View Mine. The owner of the winning duck will split the pot.
The Spring Fun Fair has free admission.
Free parking is available in the Juno Lighting parking lot. For information visit www.DPParks.org or call (847) 391-5700.