Palatine’s Hometown Fest sticks with tried and true formula
The Palatine Jaycees are back once again with their tried and true formula of events that highlight the village’s homey atmosphere.
A carnival, parade, Family Day activities, a variety of food and music, the Arts and Crafts Fair/Business and Charity Expo and fireworks will be featured at the 56th annual Hometown Fest.
The celebration will take place Wednesday, July 3, through Sunday, July 7, at Community Park, Palatine Road and Northwest Highway.
New this year is a push for spectators to ride their bikes to the festival for fireworks. The Jaycees and the Bike Palatine Club will offer supervised bike parking at the tennis courts from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday.
Co-chairs Brad Haun and Dan Reinholz say the festival will have something for everybody, from the 70 exhibits of pottery, jewelry, paintings and other items to the $70 Mega Pass that allows individuals to go on an unlimited number of carnival rides.
“As we always do, we’ve made this festival for the entire community,” Haun said.
Food vendors include American Legion Post 690, Beef on the Moove, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Chicago Classics, Georgie’s Greek Tasty Foods, Heybeck’s Meat Market, Immanuel Lutheran Church, JJ Twigs, Jamba Juice, Lee’s Concessions, Lunch Wagon and Pancho’s Mexican Food.
Attendees also are encouraged to bring food donations to the pop and water tent for the 17th annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors food drive benefiting the Palatine Township Food Pantry.
Entertainment schedule
Most events are held at Community Park at Palatine Road and Northwest Highway. For information, call (847) 604-0288 or visit palatinejaycees.org/hometownfest.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3
2:30-4 p.m. Special Needs Carnival
3 p.m.-midnight Adult beverages
5-10 p.m. Carnival wristbands
5 p.m.-midnight Carnival, food and soda
5-7 p.m. High Life
7:30-9:30 p.m. Pipe Dream
10 p.m.-midnight Dot Dot Dot
THURSDAY, JULY 4
Noon-midnight Carnival; adult beverages, food and soda sold
Noon-5 p.m. Carnival wristbands
Noon-2 p.m. Battle of the Bands
2:30-4:30 p.m. The Cowbirds
5-7 p.m. Wall of Denial
7:30-9:30 p.m. Diving for Dynamite
10 p.m.-midnight Piano Man
FRIDAY, JULY 5
Noon-midnight Carnival; adult beverages, food and soda sold
Noon-5 p.m. Carnival wristbands
9 p.m. or dusk Fireworks
Noon-1:30 p.m. The Nancy Boys
2-4 p.m. JakTripper Band
4:30-6:30 p.m. The Darryl Markette Band
7-9 p.m. Mellencougar
10 p.m.-midnight Bucket Number 6
SATURDAY, JULY 6
9 a.m. Dignitaries reception
10 a.m. Parade starts at Wilson and Slade, continues east on Slade, north on Brockway and east on Wood to Oak. 70 groups will participate.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Bingo
10 a.m.-midnight Food and soda
Noon-6 p.m. Arts/Crafts Expo
Noon-midnight Carnival; adult beverages, food, soda sales
Noon-5 p.m. Carnival wristbands
Noon-2 p.m. The Escapers
2 p.m. Hometown Toss Corn Hole Tournament will feature individuals and teams competing for prizes
2:30-4:30 p.m. Arthurtis and the Slipped Disks
5-7 p.m. Pirates Over 40
7:30-9:30 p.m. Hillbilly Rockstarz
10 p.m.-midnight Mike and Joe
SUNDAY, JULY 7
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Arts/Crafts Expo
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Family Day activities
Noon to 5 p.m. Carnival, carnival wristbands, adult beverages, food, soda and entertainment.