Glendale Heights Fest ready for spin in spotlight
Crews were piecing together carnival rides, lugging trash cans and building a stage Tuesday as they transformed Camera Park from peaceful green space into ground zero for the five-day Glendale Heights Fest that opens Wednesday evening and continues through Sunday at 101 E. Fullerton Ave.
The village's annual salute to summer will include fireworks on both Wednesday and Sunday nights, music by groups such as 7th Heaven and Infinity, mechanical bull rides, and enough carnival rides and food to keep just about anybody's stomach working overtime.
Admittance to the festival is free, but tickets are required for some features - including those carnival rides.
The fest is open from 6 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, 3 p.m. to midnight Saturday and 3 to 11 p.m. Sunday.
Glendale Heights isn't the only DuPage County community playing host to a summer party this weekend.
ItascaFest opens Thursday in Washington Park at Irving Park Road and Rush Street. Admission is free for the festival that runs from 6 p.m. to midnight on Thursday and Friday, noon to midnight on Saturday and noon to 11 p.m. Sunday and features live entertainment, a classic car show, an antiques market, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for adults and plenty of food.
Preparations also are in full swing in West Chicago, where Railroad Days will take center stage from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to midnight Saturday, and 3 to 10 p.m. Sunday at Reed-Keppler Park, 129 W. National St.
Highlights of the festival will include fireworks on Saturday and a parade stepping off at 1 p.m. Sunday.
The celebration includes musical entertainment, carnival rides, a magic show, beer garden and model train show.
Things will be a little quieter in Naperville, where the Naperville Woman's Club is sponsoring its 55th annual juried Fine Art Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St. More than 100 artists will be selling their work.