Alpine Fest in Lake Zurich features firefighter water fights
Lake Zurich's annual Alpine Fest, sponsored by the village's Lions Club, returns for another run starting Friday.
Alpine Fest will be in downtown Lake Zurich at Lion Fred Blau Park, 81 E. Main St. Organizers say about 10,000 patrons typically pass through the park for each of the festival's three days.
Highlights include carnival rides, food, beer, crafts, family games, entertainment, vendor booths and what's billed as Lake County's largest parade. Admission is free.
Firefighter water battles are set at 5 p.m. Friday, with the official park opening, food venues, beer garden and rides available at 6 p.m.
Headlining the main entertainment stage will be Eagles tribute band Heartache Tonight from 7 to 11:30 p.m.
On Saturday, the nearby American Legion Post 964 will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The legion building is at 51 Lions Drive, next to the Lake Zurich village hall.
Alpine Fest's gates open at noon Saturday. Music will fill the air starting at 2:30 p.m. until the park closes at 11:30 p.m.
Serendipity will be on the featured stage from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. The Blues Mavericks are scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., then Mr. Blotto from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Alpine Fest's parade will step off at 11:30 a.m. Sunday at Ela Road and Route 22. It'll move east on Route 22 and swing down Main Street and end at Lions Drive in downtown Lake Zurich.
Festival fun resumes for the finale at 1 p.m. Sunday. The Incoming Groove Band will entertain from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., followed by Dirt Tornado closing another year of Alpine Fest from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Alpine Fest started in 1942. Lions Club representatives say the festival was launched by volunteer and service organizations, in part, to celebrate victories of World War II in what then was a new Lake Zurich park.
Lake Zurich Lions Club members come mostly from the village, Kildeer, Hawthorn Woods and Deer Park. The club also reports drawing from Palatine, Cary, McHenry, Round Lake, Ingleside, Barrington and Crystal Lake.
Hundreds of volunteers work annually to stage Alpine Fest.