Families find variety at St. Charles RiverFest
For the young Corcoran siblings, St. Charles' annual RiverFest was quite the treat, what with getting ice-cream and root beer floats, and being carted around in a wagon pulled by their father.
Christopher, 5, and Ellie, 4, also went on the bounce house and the merry-go-round for a day that turned out great fun, but also a bit tiring, said their parents, John and Heather Corcoran.
“It's great for the kids,” John Corcoran said. “We live just four blocks away, so it's something that's very easy to do.”
This year's 31st edition of the festival was renamed from Pride of the Fox, a moniker that went to the nonprofit that organizes the event.
Festival staples include dragon boat races and a water ski show, along with a craft and food vendors, and plenty of live music.
The water ski show is St. Charles resident Stacey Dubbert's favorite part.
“They do tricks. They ski without their skis, barefoot, and they make pyramids,” Dubbert said. “There's a lot going on.”
She and her boyfriend, Eric Swanson, were also looking forward to checking out a 40-ton sand sculpture made by award-winning artist Ted Siebert at the corner of Main Street and Route 31.
Maureen Krause and her son Terry, of Westmont, had lunch on the patio of a downtown restaurant before making their way to the festival.
Krause, who uses a walker and is legally blind, said the festival is easily accessible and always a pleasant experience.
“We love coming here. We end up here every year,” she said.
Concession stand worker Dorian Ainsworth took advantage of her lunch break to have a burger sitting on a bench along the river walk.
“I've never been to St. Charles before. It's really pretty out here,” she said.
The Kane County SWAT team was among the various community agencies and groups that set up booths at the festival. SWAT team members showcased a tactical rifle and two armored vehicles while promoting the sale of tickets for their fall fundraiser, which will feature a raffle for a 2013 Harley Davidson
The festival continues Sunday at seven different venues throughout downtown St. Charles and along the river walk. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.prideofthefox.com.