Mundelein festival offers mix of old and new
Mundelein’s annual Community Days festival will feature some new events, classic attractions and an unusual schedule when it launches at the end of the month.
The multiday festival typically incorporates Independence Day. But because the holiday is on a Wednesday this year, Community Days will run June 28 to July 1, with additional activities set for July 4.
The location for most of the festival events — including the carnival and Mundelein Munch food booths — won’t change. They’ll still be on Seymour Avenue near Courtland Street.
And, as usual, the festival will be preceded by pageants at Mundelein High School.
The Miss Mundelein pageant is set for 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 25. The Junior Miss pageant is set for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, and the Little Miss pageant is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 27.
The festival kicks into gear at noon Thursday, June 28, when the Mundelein Munch area opens at the Santa Maria del Popolo Church meadow. Youth bands start playing at that time, too.
The carnival opens at 5 p.m. that day, and other events are scheduled in the afternoon and evening.
Mundelein Munch reopens at noon Friday, June 29. A chicken-wing eating competition, fire truck rides, musical performances and other activities are planned for the day.
Events start early Saturday, June 30.
The Mundelein Freedom Classic 5K run and walk and a half-mile youth run are set to start at 8 a.m., followed by a pet parade at 9 a.m., with activities filling up the day until the final band heads off the main stage at 11 p.m.
One new attraction is a hamburger competition dubbed the Burger Bout. It’s set to run from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., and participant registration is required by June 25.
A pancake breakfast and a health expo are planned for 8 a.m. Sunday, July 1. The Community Days parade, which heads down Hawley Street, begins at 2 p.m., among other activities.
The festival will conclude Wednesday, July 4, with a 7 p.m. performance by country band Slambama and fireworks after the concert.
For a full schedule and other details, visit mundelein.org.