Hawaiian dancers kick off Round Lake Beach BeachFest

Dances from The Barefoot Hawaiian of Des Plaines performed Polynesian and Tahitian dances on the main stage at the Cultural and Civic Center Friday during the first day of the Round Lake Beach BeachFest.

A cool breeze provided relief from the heat as about 20 children, including Chloe Fox, 5, of Libertyville, danced in front of stage for the one-hour show.

"I love all types of dancing, because I want to be a ballerina and princess when I grow up," Chloe said. Chloe's mom, Laura, said she brings her daughter and son to free shows at the Cultural and Civic Center every Friday during the summer.

After the show, Christina Baske of Des Plaines and Kathryn Tobias of Chicago, both of The Barefoot Hawaiian, taught dances to children and adults at the cultural stage.

"The kids really get up and dance during this show; it is always entertaining," Round Lake Beach Trustee Larry Mount said of the show.

The festival also features a 25-foot climbing wall provided by the Northeast Illinois Council of the Boy Scouts that Carmen Woollums, 13, of Grayslake, scaled in less than 2 minutes.

The festival, which continues through Sunday, includes music, a carnival, petting zoo, crafters market and more. For details, visit villageofroundlakebeach.com.