Buffalo Grove Days kicks off Thursday
Buffalo Grove’s biggest annual event is about to commence. Buffalo Grove Days starts Thursday, Aug. 30, and runs through Labor Day in the area around Lake-Cook Road, Raupp Boulevard and Church Road. Complete festival information is at bgdays.com.
Big main stage entertainment draws include area favorite 16 Candles at 8:30 p.m. Friday night playing music from the '80s, the Rumble Tone Blues Band at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, American English at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, and American Idol finalist and Wheeling native Haley Reinhart, who will perform at 9 p.m. Saturday.
Entertainment in the beer garden will include Andrew Blendermann, Soul Chasers, Blue Moondogs, Whitey O’Day, Pipe Dreams, Jose Cornier, Acoustic Generation, Industrial Drive, Fore Lease and Mystriss.
Popular favorites returning this year include Sunday’s parade and fireworks, the craft fair on Raupp Boulevard in front of village hall, business fair, food tent, carnival and BBQ challenge.
The parade will kick off at 1 p.m. Sunday with Grand Marshall Jane Olson, a familiar face at village hall. She recently retired as deputy clerk after working 25 years for the village.
On Saturday and Sunday, the kids craft tent, in St. Mary’s field just east of the food tent, will offer budding artists the chance to engage their inner Picasso. There will be special entertainment for the kids. It’s open noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
On Monday, Buffalo Grove Rotary hosts its 2nd Rubber Duck Race at 1:30 p.m. at the Raupp Bridge. You can buy a duck and cheer it on to win prizes. Proceeds are for the Rotary charities.
Food & Fun for Persons with Disabilities will return this year from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday in the carnival area and food tent. Preregistration is required and attendance is limited to the person with a disability and no more than four immediate family members or caregivers living in the same household; additional people are $10 per person. Call (847) 808-5555, ext. 3, to sign up.
Carnival rides are provided by North American Midway Entertainment. Wristbands for unlimited rides will be $23 for the periods of 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday.
Handicap parking for persons with disabilities in vehicles displaying proper permits will be available at the Village Bar & Grill at 48 Raupp Blvd. next door to village hall. An on-site shuttle will be available to assist persons with disabilities within the festival grounds.
There is no general parking at the festival site. Parking, with shuttle bus service, is available at Willow Stream Park, Buffalo Grove Golf Center, Buffalo Grove Fitness Center, Mike Rylko Community Park, Buffalo Grove Town Center (shuttle stops at north end only), Plaza at Buffalo Grove, Buffalo Grove High School south parking lot, Federal Express building and PNC Bank.
No pets are allowed on the festival grounds, although service animals specifically trained to aid a person with a disability are welcome. Consumption of alcoholic beverages will be confined to the food/beer tent area. Smoking is only allowed in designated areas.