Elburn Days festival brings the community together

The Elburn Lions Club goes to great lengths to bring the community together, Dave Broz said, especially during one of the greatest town celebrations of the year: Elburn Days.

"Overall, we try to make Elburn Days an event that can draw in the entire community," Broz, event chairman, said. "(It) has a little bit of something for everybody."

A parade through downtown Elburn kicks off the festival at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15. Elburn Days extends through Sunday, Aug. 17.

A craft show, carnival rides, food vendors and two beer tents can be found on festival grounds at Lions Park, 500 Filmore St., throughout the weekend. Other events include 4-H livestock judging on Saturday and a mud volleyball tournament on Sunday.

"Everyone comes to Elburn Days for a different reason," Broz said. "We really try and provide a place for anyone in the community to come and have a good time."

New to Elburn Days this year is a pie baking contest, Broz said. To enter a pie, visitors can register from 9-10 a.m. Sunday at the main pavilion. Judging begins at 10 a.m. at the community stage.

"We have three different categories that we're judging: fruit, nut and other," Broz said. "And we've got cash prizes."

The annual truck and tractor pull will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, and Broz said the event draws a large crowd each year.

Live bands will also perform throughout the weekend including ARRA at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Chris Halsey, District I-J Governor and member of the Elburn Days committee, said the festival is very family-oriented, and festival security ensures a safe environment throughout the weekend.

"It's a very safe venue for children," he said.

Between 30,000 and 40,000 attendees visit the festival each year, said Halsey said, and yearly attendance often depends on the weather. For example, the 2013 Elburn Days festival drew in a larger crowd because of nice temperatures and clear skies.

Admission is free, but donations will be collected during the festival to go toward Elburn parks, Broz said.

Halsey said a lot of planning goes into the festival each year. The committee starts meeting in January. During the festival, he added, there are more than 100 volunteers working at any given time.

"We have to make sure all the I's are dotted and the T's are crossed," he said.

Despite careful planning ahead of time, Broz said, the group of volunteers and organizers help to make the festival run smoothly.

"There are a lot of different people who each take a small part of the responsibility for Elburn Days. Our team is really good, and the folks I work with are very organized and passionate," Broz said. "It's really neat to be around people who are having fun and like what they do. We work really well together as a team, and that's truly a blessing to be a part of."

For a complete schedule of festival events, visit ElburnLions.com/elburn-days.

If you go

What: Elburn Days

When: 6-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17

Where: Lions Park, 500 Filmore St., Elburn

Admission: Free

Details: <a href="http://ElburnLions.com/elburn-days">ElburnLions.com/elburn-days</a>