Grayslake fest a feast for the senses

You can smell Grayslake Summer Days festival before you turn the corner onto Center Street.

Of course, it smells like summer. There are six local food vendor booths grilling and frying such summer classics as brats, funnel cake and corn on the cob.

Between bites, Joey Pavlik, 7, sitting in the food court with his brother, Jamie, 3, and his mom, Stefanie, said the M&M-covered funnel cake was the best item on the menu at the festival.

Food wasn't the only thing being served Friday night. The band Thumbs Up cooked up a mix of rock and country music that enticed serval festivalgoers, including Grayslake residents Carrie Gountanis and Susan Morgan, to get up and dance.

The group mixed the two music genres and played a Johnny Cash set that received a few hoots and hollers from the crowd.

Luke's of Mundelein owner Mike Majestic says his booth will sell 450 homemade Italian beef sandwiches and more 600 hot dogs during the festival.

One of the most original food items at the festival is the Brat Shop's taco bucket. Owner Chris Smith said his daughter, Paris, and wife, Jeanette, came up with the idea after watching people try to walk around the festival and eat food.

Some of the other food vendors included Flores Funnel Cake, Brother's BBQ and hometown favorite Dogs 'n Suds.

The festival continues Saturday.