Palatine’s Street Fest hopes to engage young adults

This summer’s Downtown Palatine Street Fest is shaping up to feature the familiar bands, food vendors, drinks and activities that festival goers have come to love, but organizers are eyeing one potential change.

In the past, young adults between about 16 and 20 years old have tended to congregate and just hang out.

To better engage them, staff is proposing to add a second, small stage north of Towne Square. It would showcase local entertainment and live bands during the day, and then a DJ playing dance music at night.

The estimated cost of the stage, equipment and talent is $10,000. Final consideration will be made at a later date based on available funding and further examination of the impact on manpower.

While the second stage remains up in the air, the dates are firmed up.

Street fest will take place Friday, Aug. 23, through Sunday, Aug. 25. Hours are 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

The festival also will feature a Kids Zone, 5K run and bike race.

As plans come together, more information will be made available at palatinestreetfest.com.